Meade Autostar Initialization instructions

Operating Instructions

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New #497 AutoStar and AutoStar II Software (October 2005 release)

Introduction

Congratulations. Your AutoStar handbox contains the latest
version of Autostar software, designed to be even more user­friendly. It operates exactly how it is explained in the operating
manual, except with the following changes.

Alignment

•

When you slide the On/Off switch to “On” on your telescope’s
computer control panel, a version screen briefly appears,
followed by “Welcome to AutoStar.”

• Next, the screen displays “Press 0 to align or Mode for
Menu.” Press “0” if you wish to begin Automatic alignment (or
Easy Align, depending on your telescope model), or press
Mode if you wish to choose a manual alignment method
(“Automatic Alignment” displays, and you can press MODE
to go through the menu to find other alignments).

For models with Automatic Alignment:

1. Press “0” to begin Automatic Alignment.

2. If you have an “LNT” model telescope, “Location Option: 1 ­Zipcode 2 - City” displays.

Note: The “Zipcode/City” screen will not display for
telescopes equipped with AutoStar II handboxes; Autostar
#497 models only.

Note: You will have to enter your location only once; the next
time you use AutoStar, you will not be asked this information.
If you wish to change your observing site, go to the “Site”
menu, which can be found under the Setup menu.

If you press “1”, enter the digits of your zip code using the
Number keys. After you enter the last digit, the next screen
appears.

If you press “2,” a list of states/countries appears. Use the
Scroll keys to scroll through the list. When your state or
country displays, press ENTER. Then a list of cities appears.
Use the Scroll keys to scroll to the city that is closest to your
observing site. When the city displays, press ENTER.

Daylight Savings displays. Press “1” if you are in Daylight

3

Saving Time or press “2” if you are not.

models only; does not display on Autostar II models.

“Automatic Align” and a scrolling message displays. If you

4.
have an ETX model with LNT, a scrolling message tells you
to set the telescope in the “home position,” that is, loosen the
horizontal (R.A.) lock and grasp a telescope fork arm. Rotate
the telescope counterclockwise until it stops—this is the hard
stop. Re-tighten the horizontal lock. Make sure the vertical
(Dec.) lock is also tight. Press ENTER.

Note: The “home position” message will not display for other
telescopes using the #497 AutoStar (such as the LX-90
series) or AutoStar II handboxes.

5. The telescope now finds the level and tilt position of the
telescope, and also detects where true North is. It finds the
home postion for Autostar II models. It may not actually level

Autostar #497

or tilt the telescope or point to North, it is just detecting these
positions. This make take a minute or two.

6. Once the level, tilt and North are detected, the telescope will
“Go To” 2 alignment stars. The telescope will go to these
stars in order to orient itself to the sky. Once it has done this,
it will be able to point to any of the more than 30,000 stars in
its database.

“Automatic Alignment: Selecting Star” and “Slewing” display.
Finally, when it is close to the alignment star “Center
Brightest Star: Press ENTER” displays. Use the Arrow keys
to center the alignment star in the eyepiece. The alignment
star will be the brightest star in that area of the sky (and
hence, “bright star”). When the alignment star is entered,
press ENTER.

Note: If you press the “?” key while “Ctr Brightest Star”
displays, the alignment star that AutoStar has chosen will
display. For example, “Arcturus: Press ENTER” may display.

Note: If you have an obstruction, such as a tree or a building
blocking your view of the alignment star, or if you have any
doubts at all about the star that has been chosen, no
problem. Just press the Scroll Down key and AutoStar will
find another star to align upon.

7. The telescope now slews to the second alignment star.
AutoStar displays “Center Brightest Star: Press ENTER”
displays. Use the Arrow keys to center the alignment star in
the eyepiece. When the second alignment star is centered,
press ENTER.“

8. “Alignment successful” displays. If “Alignment Unsuccessful”
displays, perform the procedure over again.

For models with Easy Alignment (older models without the
LNT unit):

The procedure for Easy Alignment is very similar to
Automatic Alignment, except for the home position:

You will need to perform the full home position procedure:
Loosen the vertical lock and level the telescope tube. Relock
the vertical lock. Then loosen the horizontal lock. Turn the
telescope tube counterclockwise until it stops. Then move
the telescope back about a quarter turn until the computer
control panel is under the telescope fork arm.

Guided Tour

After you align the telescope, “Press “0” for Tour or MODE for
menu” displays. Press “0” to select the Guided Tour or press
MODE to display the menu (Select Item: Object” displays).

“Tonight’s Best: Venus” (or another object) may display
depending on what is in the sky on any given night.

Note: Tonight’s Best will only display if it is the first tour in the
tour list. If you change the order of the list (e.g., using the
updater tool), whichever Tour is first on the list will display at
this time.

If you have a question concerning the assembly of the AutoStar
handbox, call the Customer Service Department at (800) 626-

3233. Customer Service hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Pacific

Time, Monday through Friday.

Ver. 10-05