Meade LT SC Series, LT Series Entering Data into AutoStar, Guided Tour Menu, Object Menu

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Entering Data into AutoStar

•To enter numbers and text: a) Use the Number keys, or

b)Use the Arrow keys to scroll through numbers 0 - 9 and the alphabet. The Down Arrow key begins with the letter “A”; the Up Arrow key begins with digit “9”.

•To move the cursor across the display: Use the Right or Left Arrow key (Pg. 19, Fig. 5, 5) to move the cursor from one number to the next in the display

•Press ENTER when the desired information has been entered.

Navigating AutoStar

AutoStar’s menus are organized for quick and easy navigation:

•Press ENTER to go deeper into AutoStar’s menu levels.

•Press MODE (Pg. 19, Fig. 5, 3) to move back toward the top menu level.

•Press the Scroll keys to move up and down through the options or lists.

•Press the Arrow keys to move the cursor across the display.

•Press the Help (?) key to access on-line help.

When multiple choices are available within a menu option, the option that is currently selected is usually displayed first and highlighted by a right pointing arrow (>).

Guided Tour Menu

When Guided Tours is selected, LT Series shows you a list of theme tours that will help you explore the night sky. These tours are pre programmed presentations of objects that are visible for the user’s particular location, time and date.

The most popular tour is “Tonight’s Best” that guides the user to the best objects that are currently up in the night sky. This tour is the easiest way to get started exploring the cosmos with your new LT Series telescope.

Each tour will select the objects, present information about the object and, if you press “GoTo”, put that

object in the eyepiece of the telescope for you to view.

The telescope comes pre-loaded with:

•“Tonight’s Best”, a selection of the most interesting objects visible on any night.

•“A Star’s Life”, tours how stars are formed, created, changes through their lives and finally die using examples that are visible tonight.

•“How Far is Far”, tour showing the phenomenal distances you can see with your LT Series.

AutoStar Suite also allows you to create your own guided tours of the skies, including your own objects and titles (for complete instructions on how to use the authoring tools please refer to the reference manual included on the AutoStar Suite DVD).

Object Menu

Almost all observing with LT Series is performed using the Object menu category. (NOTE: Exceptions include Guided Tour and Landmarks).

Many LT Series menu categories contain databases. An LT Series database is a list of objects, such as stars, planets, comets, nebulae and so forth. When one of these objects is selected from a database by pressing “ENTER” and then “GO TO”, LT Series moves your telescope (when properly aligned) and points it at the selected object.

The Object Menu options include:

Solar System is a database of the eight planets (Earth is not included) in ascending orbits from the Sun, followed by the Moon, asteroids, and comets.

Constellation is a database of all 88 Northern and Southern Hemisphere constellations. When this menu option is chosen and a constellation name appears on the first line of the screen, press GO TO once to change the second line to the name of the brightest star in the constellation.

Press GO TO a second time to slew the telescope to that star. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the list of stars in the constellation, from brightest to dimmest.

Deep Sky is a database of objects outside our Solar System such as nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, and quasars grouped in various catalogs like Messier, Caldwell and NGC.

AutoStarAUTOSTAR#497OPERATIONHANDBOX

INDEX

 

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Contents Index Battery Safety Instructions Contents Introduction LT Series ACF and LT Series SC TelescopeGetting Started Assembling the TripodLock-Knob Spreader Shaft End Nut Spreader BarInstalling the Batteries Using an AC Adapter or DC Power CordPower Port Mounting the TelescopeAttaching Accessories Your Telescope is now Fully AssembledUsing the Red Dot Finder Adjusting the Red Dot Finder GETTING#497 HandboxstartedAligning the LT Series LT Series Home PositionMagnetic North Home Position True North Home PositionMoving Through AutoStar’s Menus Initializing AutoStarHow to perform the Easy Align Procedure Easy Two-Star AlignUsing the Guided Tour Go To SaturnAutoStarLT SERIES#497KEYHANDBOXFEATURES B. C. D. E Eyepiece Holder Thumb Screw Computer Control PanelOptional Accessories Choosing Eyepieces52º AutoStarOPTIONAL#497ACCESSORIESHANDBOX Power Supplies Imagers and AccessoriesAUTOAutotarSTAR#497HANDBOX Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonSlew Speeds Observing Using AutoStar’s Arrow Keys Observe the Moon Terrestrial ObservingAutoStar Navigation Exercise To Calculate Sunset timeEntering Data into AutoStar Guided Tour MenuObject Menu Navigating AutoStarAutoStar #497 Menu Tree Event Menu Glossary Menu Utilities MenuSetup Menu Index Autostar #497 Handbox Adding Observing Sites To Add a Site to the user-defined site listTo Edit a Site Using AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the Database To GO to a user-entered objectObserving Satellites How to Create Your Own Guided Tour Tour ModesCommand Line Writing a TourComment Line Index Landmarks Downloading ToursTo Add a landmark to the database To Select a landmark from the databaseTo perform a Landmark Survey To check on the available amount of memory in AutoStarIdentify Advanced Alt/Az AlignmentTwo-Star Alt/Az Alignment Displayed information ExampleAutostar Features Browse One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentMaintenance CollimationCollimation Screws LT Series CollimationCustomer Service Inspecting the OpticsGauging the Movement of the Telescope Updating Your LT Series FirmwareDrive Appendix aAppendix B Objects in SpaceDeep-Sky Objects Appendix C Specifications Model and Product Number LT ACF # Optical SystemAutoStarSPECIFICATIONS#497 Handbox Appendix D ACF and SC Optical SystemsAppendix E Federal Communications CommissionRecycling Meade Limited Warranty 55-09004

LT Series, LT ACF Series, LT SC Series specifications

The Meade LT SC Series, LT ACF Series, and LT Series telescopes are designed to meet the diverse needs of amateur astronomers and astrophotographers alike. Each of these series caters to various levels of experience while incorporating advanced features and technologies that enhance observational stability and image quality.

The Meade LT SC Series, featuring the advanced Schmidt-Cassegrain design, excels in versatility. This series includes different aperture sizes, allowing users to view celestial objects ranging from the moon to distant galaxies. The telescopes come equipped with an AudioStar hand controller that provides a database of over 30,000 celestial objects, enabling users to easily locate and track their subjects. The built-in GPS feature facilitates effortless alignment by automatically determining the user’s location and time.

In contrast, the LT ACF Series showcases Meade's innovative Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics. This design minimizes coma and field curvature, providing sharp, crisp images across a wider field of view. Ideal for astrophotography, this series is enhanced by features like a fast focal ratio for better imaging of dim objects and a robust construction that ensures stability during use. The LT ACF telescopes also support advanced imaging techniques, allowing users to capture stunning images of deep-sky objects while minimizing aberrations.

The classic LT Series remains a favorite among beginners. Known for its straightforward setup and usability, this series is designed with a lightweight and portable frame. The LT Series telescope is equipped with an altazimuth mount, making it user-friendly for quick observations. The simplicity allows new astronomers to start observing with minimal technical knowledge. Additionally, these telescopes support a variety of accessories such as smartphone adapters, making it easy for users to capture their observations.

All three series incorporate Meade's proprietary StarLock technology in certain models, which facilitates automated tracking. This feature frees astronomers from the complexities of manual tracking, allowing them to focus more on the experience of observing celestial wonders.

In summary, the Meade LT SC Series, LT ACF Series, and LT Series deliver exceptional optical performance and user-friendly features, making them suitable for a wide range of astronomy enthusiasts. Whether you are a seasoned astrophotographer or a novice sky-watcher, Meade's telescopes provide the technology and capabilities needed to explore the universe.
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