Meade LT Series, LT SC Series, LT ACF Series Writing a Tour, Comment Line, Command Line

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Comment Line

Information in the Tour program that is not displayed, such as authorship, revision history,

copyrights, etc. All comments begin with a “/” character in column 1 of the line. For example:

/Extreme Object

/(c) 2009 Meade Instruments Corporation

Command Line

This line contains programming commands, including: R.A. and DEC. coordinates, a title string, a description string, and a keyword.

R.A.: Enter the Right Ascension of an object in the

following format: HH:MM:SS.

Eg., 18:51:05

Dec.: Enter the Declination of an object in the following

format: DDdMMmSSs. Eg., – 06d16m00s

Title String: Text within a title string is displayed as the title of the object. A title string can contain up to 16 characters and must be surrounded by quotation marks. For example. “M64” or “My Favorite Star”.

In Interactive Mode, the title string appears on line 2 until it is selected with the ENTER key.

In Automatic Mode, or after Interactive Mode selection, the title string appears on line 1 while the description scrolls across line 2.

Keywords: Action to be performed during a tour. AutoStar recognizes the following keywords:

TITLE

TEXT

USER

NGC

IC

SAO

MESSIER

CALDWELL

PLANET

MOON

SATELLITE

ASTEROID

COMET

LUNAR ECLIPSE

METEOR SHOWER

DEEP SKY

CONSTELLATION

STAR

LANDMARK

DEFINE

PICK ONE/PICK END

AUTO SLEW ON/OFF

#END

 

Description String: Description of an object. Must be surrounded by quotation marks. If the description is longer than one line, each line must end with a quotation mark and a hard return. Begin the next description line with a quotation mark.

If quotation marks are to be displayed in the on-screen description, use two quote marks at the beginning and end of the desired phrase. For example: “The Orion Nebula is considered “awesome” by many who view it”.

Writing a Tour

Using the list of commands listed above, a custom tour can be created. Placing the word AUTO SELECT before any of the command lines activates Automatic Mode and, when selected, AutoStar automatically searches and finds the designated object.

The following is a list of command lines, complete with keywords and necessary strings:

TITLE

Title must be the first keyword in your tour after any comment lines and must be 15 characters or less. AutoStar displays this title when “Guided Tour” is selected from the menus.

For example: TITLE “A Star’s Life”

TEXT “title string” “description string”

This command allows you to display a text title and description.

USER ra dec “title string” “description string”

This command line allows you to access a specific object with your own description. Enter USER, then the R.A. and DEC. of a desired object, and its title and description. Use the format described in the Command Line section.

The following commands specify objects that are already in the AutoStar database. If these commands follow the command AUTO SELECT, the object’s title displays on line 1 and its description scrolls across line 2.

Do not add a description string after the following command lines; these commands access objects with existing description in the AutoStar database.

AutoStarADVANCED#497 HANDBOXFEATURES

INDEX

 

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Contents Index Battery Safety Instructions Contents Introduction LT Series ACF and LT Series SC TelescopeLock-Knob Getting StartedAssembling the Tripod Spreader Shaft End Nut Spreader BarPower Port Installing the BatteriesUsing an AC Adapter or DC Power Cord Mounting the TelescopeAttaching Accessories Your Telescope is now Fully AssembledUsing the Red Dot Finder Adjusting the Red Dot Finder GETTING#497 HandboxstartedMagnetic North Home Position Aligning the LT SeriesLT Series 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 PanelChoosing Eyepieces Optional Accessories52º 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 timeObject Menu Entering Data into AutoStarGuided Tour Menu Navigating AutoStarAutoStar #497 Menu Tree Event Menu Glossary Menu Utilities MenuSetup Menu Index Autostar #497 Handbox To Add a Site to the user-defined site list Adding Observing SitesTo Edit a Site To GO to a user-entered object Using AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the DatabaseObserving Satellites How to Create Your Own Guided Tour Tour ModesWriting a Tour Command LineComment Line Index Landmarks Downloading ToursTo perform a Landmark Survey To Add a landmark to the databaseTo Select a landmark from the database To check on the available amount of memory in AutoStarTwo-Star Alt/Az Alignment IdentifyAdvanced Alt/Az Alignment Displayed information ExampleAutostar Features Browse One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentMaintenance CollimationCollimation Screws LT Series CollimationGauging the Movement of the Telescope Customer ServiceInspecting the Optics 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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