User manual MEADE AUTOSTAR COMPUTER CONTROLLER

[. . . ] 14 Autostar MEADE TM 1 4 2 5 3 6 7 9 8 10 11 12 13 -2- Captions for Cover 1. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Screen - A 2 line, 16 character each line, information screen. MODE Key - Exits the current function and returns to the previous menu. Press MODE instead of ENTER to void any data input or feature selection. [. . . ] ETX telescopes must also have the base in a special position to avoid internal hardstops. Next turn the telescope clockwise until the fork arm is directly over the computer control panel and lock the horizontal axis. With the telescope in the home position (level and pointed North), press ENTER. Autostar now selects a bright star and moves the telescope to point near it. Using the ARROW keys, center the star in the viewfinder and then in the eyepiece. The alignment star should be easily recognized and is the brightest object in the sky where the telescope is aimed. Autostar then selects a second star and points the telescope toward it. If the alignment operation was done accurately, Autostar displays, "Align Successful. " The telescope begins tracking (motors can be heard making a low hum) and the screen returns to the main menu. *Hint* If a selected star is not visible or is behind an obstacle, press a SCROLL key and Autostar makes another selection. The SCROLL key can be pressed as often as needed to locate a visible star. *Problem* If Autostar detects inconsistent data the screen reads: "Alignment Failed. " Repeat the alignment procedure until successful. To start a guided tour, select the "Guided Tour" function from the main menu. Use the SCROLL keys to view the list of tour objects and press ENTER to select any object of interest. When selected, the object name appears on the top line and information about the object is on the bottom line. Object information includes: astronomical coordinates, size, brightness, and more. If a moving message appears, use MODE to exit the message when completed. To direct Autostar to point the telescope at a selected object, press GO TO. The telescope slows as it approaches the object and eventually stops and sounds a beep. Display a new object with the SCROLL keys and press ENTER to select it. *Problem* If objects are not in the eyepiece after GO TO is pressed, check the viewfinder to see if it is near the center. Under high magnification, some objects may be slightly out of the field of view and need some minor manual correction using the ARROW keys. If the object was not close to center, there are several possibilities. [. . . ] Edit: Edits a selected site, including: the name, latitude, longitude, and time zone. · · · Owner Info accesses the owner information menu, including the owner's name and address. Three options are available: · · Catalogs: Sends only the user-defined object information, such as new satellite or comet information, to another Autostar. This is useful if one user has downloaded a new version of the Autostar software from the Meade website (www. meade. com) and wants to pass this new software along to friends. All: Everything is sent to another Autostar. · · NOTE: The reverse functions above are useful for observers in the southern hemisphere (i. e. , South America, Australia, Africa, etc. ) · Calibrate Motor: If the telescope motors appear to have any sort of problem, use this option to retest the motors before doing a "Reset. " This option is also used if Autostar is moved between telescopes to match Autostar to the telescope. [. . . ]