Meade DS-114AT Alt/Az Home Position, Moving Through Autostar’s Menus, Initializing Autostar

Fig. 19: The Alt lock (motor attached).

Fig. 20: The Az lock (motor not attached).

DEFINITION: Initialization is a procedure that ensures Autostar operates correctly. When you first use Autostar, it doesn't yet know where the observation site is or the time or date of the observation ses- sion.

During the procedure, you will enter infor- mation, such as the current time and date, and observa- tion location. Autostar uses this information to precisely calculate the location of celes- tial objects (such as stars and planets) and to move your tel- escope correctly for various operations.

The "Alt/Az" Home Position

1.Loosen the telescope’s Alt lock (Fig. 19).

2.Level the optical tube and tripod base.

3.Tighten the Alt lock (Fig. 19) to a firm feel only.

4.Loosen the Az lock (Fig. 20) and turn the telescope horizontally until it points North. See LOCATING THE CELESTIAL POLE, page 32 for more information.

5.Tighten the Az lock. Press ENTER.

Moving Through Autostar’s Menus

The Autostar database is organized in levels for quick and easy navigation.

■Press ENTER to go deeper into Autostar's menu levels.

■Press MODE to move back toward the top menu level.

■Press the Scroll keys to move up and down through the options available for each level.

■Press the Arrow keys to enter characters and digits.

The Arrow keys are also used to move the telescope.

Initializing Autostar

This section describes how to initialize Autostar. Perform this procedure the first time you use Autostar or after performing a RESET (see RESET, page 27).

1.Tighten Locks: Make sure that the Alt lock (22, Fig. 1) and Az lock (19, Fig. 1) are secured.

2.Connect Autostar: Verify that Autostar is properly connected to your telescope.

3.Supply Power: Plug the battery pack into the 12V port.

The Autostar screen activates and a copyright message displays briefly, followed by a short beep. Then Autostar takes a few moments to start up the system.

4.Sun Warning: A message displays that warns you not to look at the Sun. At the end of this message, press the key prompted by Autostar to signify that the message has been read and understood.

5.Getting Started: The Getting Started menu displays a scrolling message. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2) to bypass the Help tutorial and continue with initialization.

6.Enter Date: Autostar then requests the current date. Use the Up and Down Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to enter the digits for the date. Use the Right Arrow key (5, Fig. 2) to move right from one number to the next in the day display, and also to move to the month (use the Left Arrow key if you wish to move left). Then, use the Scroll keys (6 or 7, Fig. 2) to cycle through the list of months.

When the current month is displayed, use the Right Arrow (5, Fig. 2) to move to the year. Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to enter all four digits of the current year. Press ENTER when the date has been entered.

7.Enter Time: Autostar then requests the current time. Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to enter the time. (Use a "0" for the first digit if less than 10.) Use the Right (or Left) Arrow key to move from one number to the next. Press either the Up or Down Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to scroll to "AM" or "PM." If you select the "blank" choice that follows "AM" and "PM," the clock displays time in a 24-hour (military time) format. Press ENTER to start the clock.

8.Daylight Savings Time: The next screen requests the status of Daylight Savings Time. Pressing a Scroll key toggles between the YES/NO settings. Select the desired setting by pressing ENTER.

NOTE: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by a different name in various areas of the world.

NOTE: When multiple choices are available within a menu option, the current option is usually displayed first and highlighted by a right pointing arrow (>).

9.Select Country: The next screen asks for the country or state of the observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of countries, states, and provinces (listed alphabetically). Press ENTER when the correct location displays.

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