Meade DSX Series instruction manual Browse, Look into the Future

Page 36

Browse

This menu allows you to search the database for objects with certain parameters, much like a search engine. "Edit Parameters" lets you set various parameters for the search, and "Start Search" activates the search. A typical search might be performed as follows:

1.Select "Browse" from the Object menu. Press ENTER. "Browse: Start Search" displays.

2.Press one of the Scroll Keys and "Browse: Edit Parameters" displays. Press ENTER.

3."Edit Parameters: Largest (mins)" displays. "Mins" stands for arc-minutes. Press ENTER.

4."Largest (mins)" and a value displays. Using the Number keys, enter a size in arc-minutes. Autostar will search for objects up to this size and no larger. Press ENTER.

5."Edit Parameters: Largest (mins)" displays again. Press the Scroll Down key. "Edit Parameters: Smallest (mins)" displays. Enter the value for the smallest size of an object that Autostar will search for in the database. Continue with "Brightest," Faintest," and "Minimum Elevation," using the procedure described in steps 3 and 4.

6.After "Minimum Elevation," "Object Type" displays. Press ENTER." "+Black Hole" displays.If you do not wish wish to have "Black Holes" in your search, press ENTER and the "+" changes to a "–." Press the Scroll Down to scroll to the next item. "+Diffuse Nebula" displays. Continue to scroll through the list and press ENTER if you wish to change the "+" to a "–" or vice-versa.

7.After you have scrolled to the last item on the "Object Type" list, press MODE twice and the Scroll Down key once. "Browse: Start Search" displays. Press ENTER. "Start Search: Next" displays. Press ENTER. Autostar searches the database and displays the first object that matches the search parameters you have entered. Use the scroll keys to display information about the object. Press MODE and "Start Search: Next" displays again. Press ENTER and the next item matching the parameters displays. Repeat this procedure to display all the objects.

8.Press MODE repeatedly to leave this menu.

DSX TIPS

Look into the Future

The Autostar Date menu option in the Setup menu is much more than just an entry of today's date; with it you can look far into the future or learn about past events. Autostar can calculate the date and times of future events and, except for eclipses, past events as well (based on the current calendar system). E.g., a Sunrise on March 6, 2043 A.D. or the Vernal Equinox in 1776 A.D. To use this feature, enter the desired date in the Setup menu and select an option in the Event menu.

Autostar can calculate dates and times for Sunrises, Sunsets, Moonrises, Moonsets, Moonphases, Solar and Lunar Eclipses (for the next 100 years), mete- or showers, equinoxes and solstices, and the minimums of Algol.

One very practical use of the date menu is to check the Sunset option to determine when you can begin your astronomical observing.

36

Page 35 Page 37
Image 36
Page 35 Page 37
Contents Meade Instruments Corporation Page Contents QUICK-START Guide Slew Speed C D Telescope Features Altitude Setting Circle and LockComputer Control Panel c DSX Autostar Handbox Autostar Features Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonDSX Tips Join an Astronomy Club Attend a Star PartyHow to Assemble Your Telescope Getting StartedPacking List Focusing the Viewfinder ViewfinderDSX-90 8 x 21mm Erect-Image Viewfinder Choosing an Eyepiece DSX-90 ViewfinderScrews 4 and 6, DSX-125EC ViewfinderToo Much Power? Location of telescope eyepieceObserving Using Autostars Arrow Keys ObservingObserving by Moving the Telescope Manually Terrestrial ObservingSlew Speeds Observe the MoonAstronomical Observing To Track an Object AutomaticallyAlt/Az Home Position Moving Through Autostar’s MenusInitializing Autostar Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature Easy Two-Star AlignHow to Easy Align Your Telescope Which One’s Alignment Star?Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentGo To Saturn Take a Guided TourBasic Autostar Operation Autostar Navigation ExerciseAdjusting the Speed of a Scrolling Message Entering data into AutostarNavigating Autostar To Calculate Sunset timeMenus and Menu Options Object MenuEvent Menu Glossary Menu Utilities MenuObserving Considerations Setup Menu EnterSurf the Web Menu Daylight SAVING, Page Advanced Autostar Features Adding Observing SitesTo Add a Site to the user-defined site list To Edit a SiteHow to Create Your Own Guided Tour Command LineWhat you will need Tour ModesWriting a Tour Title Pick ONE / Pick END Landmarks Downloading ToursTo Add a landmark to the database To Select a landmark from the databaseIdentify To perform a Landmark SurveyTo check on the available amount of memory in Autostar Displayed information ExampleBrowse Look into the FutureOptional Accessories DSX-90ECMeade Customer Service Caring for Your TelescopeSpecifications DSX-90ATCelestial Coordinates Locating the Celestial PoleUsing Autostar to Find Objects Not in the Database To GO to a user-entered objectAppendix C Observing SatellitesAppendix D Training the DriveAutostar Glossary Objects in SpaceMoon Planets Deep-Sky ObjectsPage Page Meade Instruments Corporation
Top Page Image Contents