This menu item allows you to tell Gemini whether celestial coordinates entered via the 

Hand Controller or the PC are to be precessed to the equinox of the date (i.e. they are 

valid for Epoch J2000.0), or whether they are already valid for the current equinox.  By 

default, Gemini assumes that object coordinates transferred by a planetarium program 

and any coordinates input through the Hand Controller are for the epoch of the current 

date.  This default can be changed to Epoch J2000.0 by executing "Setup

Coordinate 

Epoch

Epoch J2000.0."  Similarly, to change to the "Equinox of Date," execute 

"Setup

Coordinate Epoch

Equinox of Date." 

NOTE:  These settings only apply to data sent 

from

 the PC 

to

 Gemini.  Coordinates sent 

from Gemini to the PC always refer to the Equinox of the current date.  This avoids 

confusion for the software that is controlling the Gemini system. 

IMPORTANT:

  Epoch J2000.0 coordinates and Equinox of the Date coordinates cannot 

be mixed since Gemini has to be set to recognize one or the other.  Also, the coordinates 

in the resident catalogs and the User Database are not affected by how this menu item is 

set. 

5.4  QuickMenu 

Focusing*

2X Centering

8X Centering

16X Centering

32X Centering

64X Centering

128X Centering

   AE

Visual Mode

   AE

 Photo Mode

Park Mount!

The "QuickMenu" is a convenience that is accessed by holding down the MENU button 

for at least a second.  Useful menu items such as Centering Speeds, Hand Controller 

Modes and a Telescope Park command scroll through the display.  The item that is 

displayed at the moment you release the button is the one selected, and Gemini returns to 

the Telescope Control Mode. 

5.4.1  Focusing 

Gemini now supports focusing units having 9 to 12 volt DC motors (e.g. JMI's NGF 

series).  In order to focus using the Gemini, you must have an adapter board accessory 

connected to the feature port. 

The Gemini focusing function uses the Meade LX 200 serial line focusing commands.  

You can also change focus using the hand controller by putting it into focus mode.  

Selecting   Focusing   from the Quick Menu does this.  This menu item is only available if 

Gemini Users Manual 

6  

3