Meade LX200GPS instruction manual Setup Menu, Timing is Everything

Page 28

Want to learn more about using the Date menu?

See the LX200GPS TIPS

box page 23.

Park Scope: Designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. The next time it is powered up, pressing ENTER causes the telescope to move to its predeter- mined 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 II is unable to be returned to operation without turning the power off and then back on.

Setup Menu

The Setup menu’s primary function is used for manual telescope alignment (see MANUAL ALT/AZ ALIGNMENTS, pages 37 and 38). However, there are numerous other features available within the Setup menu, including:

Date: Changes the date used by Autostar II. 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 26.

Time: Changes the time entered into Autostar II. Setting the correct time is critical for Autostar II to properly calculate locations and events. Time may be set to "AM," "PM," or 24-hour mode (military time). To select the 24-hour mode, press ENTER when the the "blank" option displays (i.e., neither "AM" nor "PM" is displayed).

Daylight Saving: Enables or disables the Daylight Savings time setting.

Important Note: If you use Automatic Alignment, you must turn this set- ting on or off on the two days a year when Daylight Saving changes. See TIMING IS EVERYTHING below.

Note: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by different names in vari- ous areas of the world. Check local time to verify.

Telescope: Accesses the several options, including:

Model: Allows you to select the telescope model connected to Autostar II.

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

Az 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.

Mount: Set this option to "Alt/Az" if using alt/az alignment and to "Polar" if using polar alignment. "Alt/Az" is the default value.

Max Slew Rate: Sets the upper limit for the slew rate. 8 degrees per second is the fastest setting.

Mount Upper Limit: Allows you enter a percentage that sets an upper limit as to how far the optical tube can swing upward during a programmed slew. (Note that it does not prevent you from performing a manual slew past this limit.) This is use- ful when you have a camera or other peripheral attached to the telescope— you can prevent it from striking the telescope base. 90% (straight up) is the maximum value that can be entered.

LX200GPS TIPS

Timing is Everything

Your telescope receives the precise time when it synchs with the GPS. Precise time is very critical in aligning your telescope so that it can accurately locate celestial objects.

Autostar II receives time data in the Universal Time format. However, if you wish to display the correct time in your local time zone, use the Daylight Saving menu (see above) to turn the Daylight Saving option on or off. Keep in mind that the telescope is receiving the correct time whether or not you set this option to display your local time.

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Contents Meade Instruments Corporation Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical System Meade Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical SystemContents QUICK-START Guide Important Note Telescope Features AutostarSee Optional ACCESSORIES, pages 41, 42, Ascension Declination setting# Computer Control Panel see inset Telescope? See pages 17Ascension, DefinitionsShift Microfocuser? Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Autostar II FeaturesLibrary # of Objects Want to learn more about changing slew speeds? See LX200GPS Tips How to Attach the Tripod to the Telescope Assembly Parts ListingGetting Started To install batteries How to Assemble Your TelescopeTip Attach Diagonal or accessories Choosing an EyepieceMounting and Adjusting the Viewfinder Too Much Power?Observing Using Autostar IIs Arrow Keys ObservingObserving by Moving the Telescope Manually Terrestrial ObservingFocusing the Eyepiece Using the Microfocuser Slew SpeedsTo use the microfocuser Key # SpeedObserve the Moon Astronomical ObservingTo Track an Object Automatically Moving Through Autostar II’s MenusWhich One’s the Alignment Star? Important NotesUsing the Guided Tour Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking FeatureGo To Saturn Detecting True Level Global Positioning SystemFinding True North Autostar II Navigation Exercise Basic AutostarTo Calculate Sunset time Navigating Autostar Look into the FutureMenus Select Item ObjectTo slew the telescope to catalog objects Object MenuWant to learn more about Observing Satellites? See Want to learn more about using the Browse menu? See Event MenuUtilities Menu Glossary MenuWant to learn more about Landmarks? See Setup Menu Timing is EverythingRECTION, Setup Menu Daylight SAVING, Adding and editing sites?Hot Button Menus Mirror, MirrorTo Add a Site to the user-defined site list Adding Observing SitesTo Edit a Site Creating User Objects To GO to a user-entered objectObserving Satellites LandmarksTo Add a landmark to the database TipsIdentify To Select a landmark from the databaseTo perform a Landmark Survey To check on the available amount of memory in AutostarBrowse Displayed information ExampleHow to perform the Easy Align Procedure Alternate Alt/Az AlignmentsInitialize Autostar Easy Two-Star AlignmentTo Set the Home Position Manually One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentTip Try a Spiral Search Periodic Error Correction Star ChartsPhotography Few tips on photography with the LX200GPS telescopesOptional Accessories Meade Series 4000 EyepiecesSeries 4000 8 24mm Zoom Eyepiece Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece Maintenance CollimationDefocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, Aligned Meade Customer Service What is Smart Drive?Inspecting the Optics Gauging the Movement of the Telescope15 LX200GPS Specifications SpecificationsMaksutov Fan 10 f/10 LX200GPS Specifications 10 LX200GPS Specifications12 f/10 LX200GPS Specifications Autostar II System Specifications 16 f/10 LX200GPS SpecificationsAutostar II Handbox Specifications Equatorial Alignment Setting CirclesCelestial Coordinates Declination Setting Circle Equatorial WedgeLining Up with the Celestial Pole Locating PolarisPrecise Polar Alignment LX200GPS mounted on an equatorial wedgeAutostar II Polar Alignment Easy Polar AlignmentOne-Star Polar Alignment Two-Star Polar AlignmentAppendix B Latitude Chart Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the WorldCity State/Prov./Country Latitude City Country LatitudeCommand Line What you will needTour Modes Comment LineWriting a Tour TitlePick ONE / Pick END Appendix D Training the Drive Further StudyTo observe the Apollo 15 landing site using the Moon option Appendix E the Moon MenuControl Panel Features 16 LX200GPS Unique FeaturesCommercial Shipping Telescope Assembly To Assemble the 16 Super Field TripodMounting the Optical Tube Assembly OTA Attaching the Power and Data CordsAttaching the 16 Drive Base Attaching the ForkTighten the fork arm assem- bly using the provided hex key Observing ConsiderationsAppendix G To attach the microfocuser to the de-rotaterBasic Astronomy Autostar II GlossaryObjects in Space MoonPlanets Deep-Sky ObjectsPage Meade Instruments Corporation
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