Meade ETX-80AT-BB instruction manual Appendix a Using Autostar to Enter R.A. and DEC Coordinates

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APPENDIX A: USING AUTOSTAR TO ENTER R.A. AND DEC COORDINATES

Although AutoStar's database contains more than 1400 objects (stars, nebulae, planets, etc.) that you can observe, you may eventually want to view objects that are not part of the database. AutoStar provides a feature that allows you to enter an object's R.A and Dec coordinates in the "User: Objects" option of AutoStar's Object menu and then automatically slews the telescope to the user-entered coordinates.

In order to use this menu option, you first need to look up the R.A and Dec coordinates of the object or objects you wish to observe. Check out your local library, computer store or bookstore for astronomy books, CD Roms, or magazines (such as Sky & Telescope or Astronomy), to find coordinates of celestial objects.

The objects/coordinates you enter become part of your own permanent database, called "User Objects." You may use this menu to view these object as often as you like, but the objects' coor- dinates just need to be entered once.

To enter coordinates of an object into the "User: Objects" option of the Object menu:

1.Make sure AutoStar has been initialized (see INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page 17) and the telescope has been aligned and set to the Alt/Az home alignment position (see EASY ALIGNMENT, page 19).

2.After the telescope is aligned, "Select Item: Object" displays. (If necessary, use the Scroll keys to scroll through the menus, as previously described, to find this option.) Press

ENTER.

3."Object: Solar System" displays. Keep pressing the Scroll Up key until "Object: User Object" displays and press ENTER.

4."User Object: Select" displays. Press the Scroll Down key once. "User Object: Add" dis- plays. Press ENTER.

5."Name" displays on the top line and a blinking cursor on the second line. Use the Arrow keys (as previously described) to enter the name of the object you wish to add to the data- base. When you are finished, press ENTER.

6."Right Asc.: +00.00.0" displays. Use the Arrow keys to enter the digits for the Right Ascension coordinate of your object. If necessary, use the Scroll Keys to change "+" to "-." When you are finished, press ENTER.

7."Declination: +00°.00'" displays. Use the Arrow keys to enter the digits for the Declination coordinate of your object. If necessary, use the Scroll Keys to change "+" to "-." When you are finished, press ENTER.

8.AutoStar then prompts you to enter the Size of the object. This step is optional. Use the Arrow keys to enter this information, if so desired, and press ENTER to go to the next dis- play. If you do not wish to enter this information, simply press ENTER.

9.AutoStar then prompts you to enter the Magnitude of the object. This step is also optional. Use the Arrow keys to enter this information, if so desired, and press ENTER to go to the next display. "User Object: Add" displays again.

To GO TO a user-entered object:

1.With "User Object: Add" displayed, press the Scroll Up key once. "User Object: Select" dis- plays. Press ENTER.

2.Use the Scroll keys (if necessary) to scroll to the desired object. Press ENTER.

3.The name of the object and the Right Ascension and Declination coordinates display.

4.Press GO TO and the telescope slews to the object.

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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 Getting Started Parts ListingTelescope Assembly 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 SpeedsMoving Through AutoStar’s Menus Observe the MoonTo Track an Object Automatically 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 ExerciseNavigating Autostar Adjusting the Speed of a Scrolling MessageEntering Numbers and Text into Autostar Object Menu Utilities Menu Event MenuGlossary Menu Setup Menu EnterReverse L/R Reverses Reverse UP/DOWN ReversesMenu Daylight SAVING, Advanced Features Observing a Satellite Two-Star Alt/Az AlignmentOne-Star Alt/Az Alignment Digital Photography with the ETX Photography with Meade’s AutoStar SuiteLunar Planetary Imager Optional Accessories Meade Series 4000 Super Plossl EyepiecesStorage and Transport Maintenance and ServicingGeneral Maintenance 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 Country Latitude Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the WorldCity State Latitude Appendix C Training the Drive Moon AutoStar GlossaryObjects in Space Planets Deep-Sky ObjectsPage Meade Limited Warranty