Meade Autostar User Manual

Autostar

™

MEADE

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Captions for Cover

1. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Screen - A2 line, 16 character each line, information screen. Brightness and contrast of the screen is adjustable.

2. ENTER Key - Completes a data entry or selects an Autostar function.

3. 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. Pressing MODE for more than 2 seconds displays telescope status.

4. GO TO Key - Moves the telescope to selected objects or coordinates.

5. Arrow Keys - Moves the telescope in any of four directions. When data is entered, the arrow keys move the screen cursor.

6. Number Keys - Enters numeric data. When not used to enter data, the number keys select telescope motor speeds (1 is slowest, 9 is fastest).

7. “0” Key - Enters data or turns the Utility Light on and off.

8. Scroll Up Key - Views menu options one entry at a time. During a moving message, this key increases message speed.

9. Scroll Down Key -Views menu options one entry at a time. During a moving message, this key decreases message speed.

10. Help (“?”) Key - Access the Autostar Help function.

11. Coil Cord Port - Connects the coil cord (13) to Autostar.

12. Serial Port - RS-232 cable port to Autostar.

13. Coil Cord - Connects between Autostar and the telescope.

14. Utility Light - Illuminates objects such as a watch or star chart. Pressing the “0” key turns the utility light on and off.

NOTE: All number references in this manual are to the Autostar Computer Controller shown on the front cover.

Introduction

This manual describes applications of the Autostar Computer Controller with various models of Meade telescopes:

ETX-90EC: Refer to the manual included with the ETX-90EC for instructions on the basic operation of the telescope, including usage of the standard-equipment Electronic Controller (EC).

DS-telescopes (e.g., DS-60, DS-70, etc.): (a) Refer to the manual included with each of these models for instructions on the basic operation of the telescope. (b) If you purchased a DS-model which includes the #492 Dual-Motor Electronic Control System, then interchange the Electronic Controller (EC) of the #492 System with the Autostar Computer Controller and follow the instructions in this manual. The Autostar handbox plugs into the same “HBX” connector on the telescope as the EC handbox. (c) If your DS-model did not originally include the #492 System, and you are now adding the complete #493 Autostar Computer Control System (including motors on both axes) to your telescope, then read the enclosed manual (“Meade #493 Autostar Computer Control System”) first, before reading this manual.

Autostar assists the observer with a large variety of features, including:

• Control the movement of the telescope to locate terrestrial and astronomical objects.

• Catalog of events (e.g., Moon phases, meteor showers, etc.).

WARNING: Never use Autostar to move a telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye damage is often painless, so there is no warning to the observer that damage has occurred until it is too late. Do not point a telescope or its viewfinder at or near the Sun. Do not look through a telescope or its viewfinder as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing.

• Guided tours of the best objects based on date and location.

• Model #495 Autostar has a database of over 1,200 astronomical objects. Model #497 Autostar’s database includes over 12,000 astronomical objects.

• A glossary of over 90 descriptions and definitions.

• A built in Help function by pressing the “?” key.

• Utilities including eyepiece magnification, alarms, battery monitor, power saving functions, and more.

• Connect to a computer to remotely control the telescope.

This Instruction Manual begins by explaining the operation of Autostar in sequence from turning on power to locating the first object in the sky. The telescope and manual should be used together to complete this important series of operations. The balance of the manual is a reference for additional functions.

The first time Autostar power is applied, additional activities are required. Pick a comfortable location and take the time necessary to read each step carefully. When viewing is required, move to an open area outside and continue operation.

First Operation

Autostar Installation: Verify that power is turned off at the

telescope computer control panel. Plug the coil cord (13) into the coil cord port (11). Plug the other end into the computer control panel HBX (handbox) port. Turn on the telescope power using the switch on the ETX computer control panel or by plugging in the power cord to the DS computer control panel.

Initialization: With power on, Autostar begins the startup process by displaying the Meade copyright message, sounding a beep, and initializing the computer system. After initialization, Autostar requests information needed to operate the telescope.

*Problem* If Autostar does not display messages, turn the power off and then back on. Also, check the batteries or other power source. If the beep sounded and the screen is difficult to read, press MODE (3) and Autostar resets the screen to factory settings.

Language Selection: Autostar offers text in one of six possible languages. Press the key for the desired language.

*Problem* If the wrong language is selected, press MODE and Autostar requests the language selection again.

Sun Warning:Autostar displays a sun warning message which must be carefully read by every person using the telescope. After reading the message, follow the instructions to move to the next operation.

*Hint* If screen messages are moving too fast (or slow), use the SCROLL keys (8 & 9) to change the speed.

Self Calibration: “Testing Motors” is displayed and the telescope moves a short distance in both axes. Automatic calibration of the motors happens only once, the first time Autostar is used.

NOTE: If Autostar is moved to another telescope, it needs to be recalibrated (see the Setup:Telescope:Calibrate Motor menu).

Getting Started: “Getting Started,” is displayed with a message offering a description of Autostar operation. Press ENTER (2) to bypass this tutorial or press the “?” key (10) to begin the message. At this point, Autostar can move the telescope using the ARROW keys (5). Pressing one of these keys moves the telescope up, down, left, or right. The speed of movement is changed by pressing a NUMBER key (9 = fastest, 1 = slowest).

Date: The date must be entered each time power is applied. Enter numbers by pressing the numeric keys. Press the right or left ARROW key (5) to move the cursor. To change the month, use the up or down ARROW key. After the correct month is displayed press the right ARROW key to move to the year. Change the year, if required, using the numeric keys. When the correct date is displayed, press ENTER to complete the date entry.

*Hint* The utility light (14) is turned on during date and time entry to illuminate a watch.

Time: Local time must be entered each time Autostar power is applied. Enter the time using the NUMBER and ARROW keys. Change AM or PM using the SCROLL keys (8 & 9). When the time displayed is correct, press ENTER to start the clock running.

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Daylight Savings: When time is entered, it must be identified as Standard or Daylight Savings. Daylight Savings is when clocks are set ahead one hour. If Daylight Savings, select YES, otherwise choose NO. Use the SCROLL keys (8 & 9) to chose YES or NO. When the screen is correct, press ENTER to complete the entry.

Telescope Site: The location on Earth (site) of the telescope must be entered. Use the SCROLL keys to pick the nearest Country (or State) from the alphabetical list. When the screen shows the correct selection, press ENTER. Next use the SCROLL keys to select the nearest City. Press ENTER when the best choice is displayed.

NOTE: Not all countries or cities are listed. Pick the nearest from available choices.To add more sites, see the Setup:Site:Add menu.

Telescope Model: Use the SCROLL keys to display the telescope model, then press ENTER. The telescope model can be found on the telescope box or a foil label on the telescope tube. Autostar automatically requests this information only once.

Autostar Initialization Complete: In future sessions, Autostar only requests the date and time during the power-on sequence. Other items (such as language, motor calibration, site, and telescope model) remain unchanged from the previous session.

After initializing, Autostar pauses at the alignment menu. Alignment relates objects in the sky to the position of the telescope. Autostar needs to be aligned accurately to find objects. Before proceeding with alignment, a general explanation of Autostar functions is helpful.

Autostar Manual Operation

Moving the Telescope: The ARROW keys (5) move the telescope

in four directions; up, down, left, and right. The speed of movement is changed by pressing a numeric key from 1 to 9, with 9 being the fastest. Speed settings remain until changed by pressing a different number. Take time now to move the telescope using the ARROW keys. Pick an object and point the telescope at it. Use a slower speed when nearing the object to accurately center it in the viewfinder and then in the eyepiece. These skills are useful when training and aligning the telescope.

Keypad and Help Function: The Autostar keypad has 20 keys. To register a single keystroke, press and release a key firmly and briefly. Holding a key for a longer period causes a repeated key entry. This is useful for operations which require multiple keystrokes.

The Help (“?”) key (10), provides advice on operations, in the form of a moving message.

LCD Screen and Hypertext: The Autostar screen has 2 lines of 16 characters each. The top line is the current active function or menu and the bottom line is the next level of options, data, or a message. When a moving message appears the speed can be changed using the SCROLL keys. To exit the message, press MODE briefly, unless the message gives some other instruction. Sometimes embedded in a moving message is a bracketed [word], referred to as “Hypertext.” Autostar Hypertext is similar to that used on the Internet. While a Hypertext word is visible, press ENTER, and the definition of the word appears, replacing the first message. After the new message is complete, press MODE and return to the original message. If the Hypertext is an object, like Jupiter, press GO TO while the word is visible and the telescope moves and points at the object.

Autostar Menus

Autostar Menu Structures: Autostar has menus with lists of

available features (see Figure 1). The menus are organized in descending levels and are seen on the Autostar screen (1). The top line of the screen is the currently active menu category and the bottom line has the list of menu options that can be selected. Four keys are used to navigate the menus; ENTER, MODE, and both SCROLL keys. Pressing ENTER activates the item listed on the bottom line (moving down a menu level) and moves it to the top line. With the selected function on the top line, a new list of functions can then be displayed on the bottom line. To go back to the previous menu (moving up a menu level), press MODE. Pressing a SCROLL key changes the menu item visible on the bottom line. Since only one item of a menu list can be displayed on the bottom line, scrolling makes the other choices visible.

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