Setup Menu

Use the Setup menu to perform many of the features that apply to the set up of your telescope, such as training the drive, selecting terrestrial or astronomical modes, changing observing site information.

Park Scope is designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. Next time it is powered up, enter the correct date and time – no alignment is required. Pressing ENTER causes the telescope to move to its pre-determined Park position. Once parked, the screen prompts to turn off power.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When the "Park Scope" option is chosen and the display prompts you to turn off the telescope's power, AutoStar is unable to be returned to operation without turning the power off and then back on.

Cord Wrap, when set to "On," moves the telescope in such a way as to prevent the cords and cables attached to your telescope assembly from getting wound around the assembly and tangled as the telescope slews to objects. "Off" is the default setting.

The Setup menu’s primary function is to align the telescope. However, there are numerous other features available within the Setup menu, including:

Date changes the date used by AutoStar. This function is useful to check events in the past or future. For example, set the Date menu for a day three months in the future. Then check the "Select Item: Event" menu for the Sunset time on that date. See “EVENT MENU,” page 25.

Time changes the time entered into AutoStar. Setting the correct time is critical for AutoStar to properly calculate locations and events. Time may be set to 24-hour mode (military time) by selecting the "blank" option which follows the "AM" and "PM" options.

Daylight Saving is used to enable or disable Daylight Savings time.

NOTE: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by different names in various areas of the world. Check local time to verify.

Telescope accesses the several options, including:

JModel: Allows you to select the telescope model connected to AutoStar.

JFocal Length: Displays the focal length of the selected telescope.

JAz Ratio and Alt Ratio: The Az (Azimuth) ratio and Alt (Altitude) ratio refers to the gears of the telescope's motors. Do not alter these numbers.

JAz Percent: The Az (Azimuth) Percent allows you to change the azimuth backlash, i.e., the way the Arrow keys move the telescope along the azimuth (horizontal) axis. If you enter a value near 100, the telescope tube responds more quickly (it responds immediately at 100%) as you hold down an Arrow key and also slews (moves) the tube more quickly. If you enter a value near 0, it takes longer for the tube to respond as you hold down an Arrow key and also slews the tube more slowly. Experiment with this option. Try changing the per- cent value until you get a "feel" for the Arrow keys that is comfortable for you.

JAlt Percent: The Alt (Altitude) Percent operates identical to the Az Percent option (see above), but allows you to change the altitude backlash, i.e., the way the Arrow keys move the telescope when moving along the altitude (vertical) axis.

JTrain Drive: Trains the Altitude and Azimuth motors to locate objects with more precision.

If you are experiencing any problems with pointing accuracy, follow the procedure described in “APPENDIX C: TRAINING THE DRIVE,” page 53, to insure accurate pointing and tracking.

JTracking Rate: Changes the speed at which the telescope tracks targets in the sky.

a.Sidereal: The default setting for AutoStar; sidereal rate is the standard rate at which stars move from East to West across the sky due to the rotation of the Earth.

b.Lunar: Choose this option to properly track the Moon over long observing sessions.

c.Custom: Allows entry of user-defined tracking rates.

JReverse L/R: Reverses the functions of the Left and Right Arrow keys (i.e., the Right key moves the telescope to the left).

JReverse UP/DOWN: Reverses the functions of the Up and Down Arrow keys (i.e., the Up key moves the telescope down).