Meade LT ACF Series Using AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the Database, Observing Satellites

Using AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the Database

In this procedure, you will enter coordinates of celestial objects that do not appear in any of the AutoStar database lists. You will enter the object’s name and R.A. and Dec. coordinates (required information). You may also enter the object’s magnitude and size (optional information).

Although AutoStar contains an extensive database of celestial objects (stars, nebulae, planets, etc.) that you can observe, you may eventually want to view objects that are not part of the database. AutoStar provides a feature that allows you to enter an object’s R.A. and Dec. coordinates in the “User: Objects” option of the Object menu and allows automatic slewing of the telescope to the user-entered coordinates.

In order to use this menu option, you first need to look up the R.A. and Dec. coordinates of the object or objects you wish to observe. Check out your local library, computer store, or bookstore for astronomy books, CD ROMs, or magazines (such as Sky & Telescope or Astronomy), to find coordinates of celestial objects. The objects/coordinates you enter become part of your own permanent database, called “User Objects”.

To enter coordinates of an object into the “User: Objects” option of the Object menu:

1.Make sure AutoStar has been initialized and the telescope has been aligned.

2.After the telescope is aligned, “Select Item: Object” displays. (If necessary, use the Scroll keys to scroll through the menus, as previously described, to find this option.) Press ENTER.

3.“Object: Solar System” displays. Keep pressing

the Scroll Up key until “Object: User Object” displays and press ENTER.

4.“User Object: Select” displays. Press the Scroll

Down key once. “User Object: Add” displays. Press ENTER.

5.“Name” displays on the top line and a blinking cursor on the second line. Use the Arrow keys, as previously described, to enter the name of the object you wish to add to the database. When you are finished, press ENTER.

6.“Right Asc.: 00.00.0” displays. Use the Number

keys to enter the digits for the Right Ascension coordinate of your object. When you are finished, press ENTER.

7.“Declination:+00°.00’”displays.UsetheNumber keys to enter the digits for the Declination coordinate of your object. If necessary, use the Scroll Keys to change “+” to “-”. When you are finished, press ENTER.

8.AutoStar then prompts you to enter the size of the object. This step is optional. Use the Number keys to enter the size (in arc-minutes), if so desired, and press ENTER to go to the next display. If you do not wish to enter this information, simply press ENTER.

9.AutoStar then prompts you to enter the magnitude of the object. This step is also optional. Use the Number keys to enter this information, if so desired, and press ENTER to go to the next display. “User Object: Add” displays again.

To GO TO a user-entered object:

In this procedure, you will choose an object from the User Object list and GO TO the object.

1.With “User Object: Add” displayed, press the

Scroll Up key once. “User Object: Select” displays. Press ENTER.

2.Use the Scroll keys (if necessary) to scroll to the desired object. Press ENTER.

3.The name of the object and the Right Ascension and Declination coordinates display.

4.Press GO TO and the telescope slews to the object.

Observing Satellites

In this procedure, you will prepare your telescope to observe a satellite pass.

1.Navigate to the “Object: Satellite” menu option and press ENTER.

2.Use the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of satellites.

3.Select a satellite from list and press ENTER.

ADVANCED FEATURES

INDEX 32