Meade ETX-80AT-BB Manual Operation of the Telescope Using AutoStars Arrow Keys, Slew Speeds

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Fig. 17: AutoStar's Arrow keys.

Manual Operation of the Telescope Using AutoStar's Arrow Keys

You may also observe land and astronomical objects using AutoStar's Arrow keys.

If you have not already done so, prepare your telescope following the steps described in TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY, page 13. Next, flip the On/Off Switch (16C, Fig. 1b) on the computer control panel to the ON position. The copyright message lights on AutoStar’s display. Press the Speed/? key (7, Fig. 5) to accept the Sun warning. The "Getting Started" message displays. Keep pressing the ENTER key until "Country/State" appears on the display. (Ignore the prompts requesting "Date" and "Time" for now – these functions will be explained later in the manual).

Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of countries/states. Press ENTER when your location displays. Next, use the Scroll keys to scroll to the nearest city to your observing site and press ENTER. Next, use the Scroll keys to scroll to your telescope model and press ENTER. The display then reads "Setup: Align."

You can now use the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 5) to slew (move) the telescope up, down, right, or left. To change the telescope’s slew speed, briefly press the Speed/? key (7, Fig. 5). Each press decreases the slew speed down one level, and then cycles back to the fastest speed. See page 16 for more information.

Tighten (to a "firm feel" only, do not overtighten) the vertical and horizontal locks (13 and 14, Fig. 1). Sight along the side of the telescope’s main tube to locate an object and practice using the AutoStar’s Arrow keys to center the object in the telescope’s field of view. Use the tele- scope’s focus knob (15, Fig. 1) to bring the object into focus.

This procedure demonstrates just a very small part of AutoStar's capabilities. In the next section of this manual, you will begin to learn how to make use of AutoStar's extensive and powerful fea- tures.

Slew Speeds

AutoStar has nine slew speeds that are directly proportional to the sidereal rate (this is the speed at which stars move) and have been calculated to accomplish specific functions. Pressing the SPEED/? key changes the slew speed, which is then shown for about two seconds on AutoStar’s display.

The nine available speeds are:

N

Speed 1

=

2x =

2 x sidereal (0.5 arc-min/sec or 0.008°/sec)

N

Speed 2

=

8x =

8 x sidereal (2 arc-min/sec or 0.033°/sec)

N

Speed 3

=

16x

=

16

x sidereal (4 arc-min/sec or 0.067°/sec)

N

Speed 4

=

32x

=

32

x sidereal (8 arc-min/sec or 0.13°/sec)

N

Speed 5

=

64x

=

64

x sidereal (16 arc-min/sec or 0.27°/sec)

N

Speed 6

=

0.5° =

120

x sidereal (30 arc-min/sec or 0.5°/sec)

N

Speed 7

=

1°/s =

240

x sidereal (60 arc-min/sec or 1°/sec)

N

Speed 8

=

2°/s =

480

x sidereal (120 arc-min/sec or 2°/sec)

N

Speed 9

=

Max =

(Maximum speed possible, dependent on battery power)

Speeds 1, 2, or 3: Best used for fine centering of an object in the field of view of a higher power eyepiece, such as a 12mm or a 9mm eyepiece.

Speeds 4, 5, or 6: Enables centering an object in the field of a low-to-moderate power eye- piece, such as a standard 25mm eyepiece.

Speeds 7 or 8: Best used for rough centering of an object in the eyepiece.

Speed 9: Moves the telescope quickly from one point in the sky to another.

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Contents ETX-80AT-BB Backpack Observatory Page Contents Setting up the Tripod QUICK-START GuideConnect the AutoStar Handbox Telescope Features LEDABC D ETX Your Personal Window to the Universe Computer Control Panel TripodAutostar Features Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonPage Join an Astronomy Club Attend a Star Party Telescope Assembly Parts ListingGetting Started Safety Precautions Stowing your Gear in the BackpackChoosing an Eyepiece Manual Operation of the Telescope without AutoStarManual Operation of the Telescope Using AutoStars Arrow Keys Slew SpeedsObserve the Moon To Track an Object AutomaticallyMoving Through AutoStar’s Menus Initializing AutoStarToo Much Power? Easy Alignment Go To SaturnUsing the Guided Tour Which One’s the Alignment Star?Autostar Menus IngvSa e Daylight pesco TelAutostar Operation AutoStar Navigation ExerciseEntering Numbers and Text into Autostar Adjusting the Speed of a Scrolling MessageNavigating Autostar Object Menu Glossary Menu Event MenuUtilities Menu Setup Menu EnterReverse L/R Reverses Reverse UP/DOWN ReversesMenu Daylight SAVING, Advanced Features One-Star Alt/Az Alignment Two-Star Alt/Az AlignmentObserving a Satellite Digital Photography with the ETX Photography with Meade’s AutoStar SuiteLunar Planetary Imager Optional Accessories Meade Series 4000 Super Plossl EyepiecesMaintenance and Servicing General MaintenanceStorage and Transport Inspecting the OpticsTroubleshooting Cannot seem to focus No image appears in the eyepieceMeade Customer Service ETX-80AT-BB SpecificationsAutoStar Specifications AutoStar DimensionsAppendix a Using Autostar to Enter R.A. and DEC Coordinates To GO to a user-entered objectCity State Latitude Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the WorldCity Country Latitude Appendix C Training the Drive Objects in Space AutoStar GlossaryMoon Planets Deep-Sky ObjectsPage Meade Limited Warranty