Meade DS-114AT Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature, Easy Two-Star Align

IMPORTANT

NOTE:

Autostar requests the Country/State, City, and Telescope Model information only the first time Autostar is activat- ed. If you wish to change this informa- tion, use the "Site" and "Telescope Model" options in the Setup menu. See page 26 for more information.

IMPORTANT

NOTE:

While performing the automatic track- ing procedure, use ONLY the Arrow keys to move the telescope. Once the telescope has been set in the Alt/Az home position, do not loosen the az and alt locks (19 and 22, Fig. 1), or move the base man- ually, or alignment will be lost.

Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature

In this example, the Autostar Arrow keys are used to find a star, and then Autostar's tracking capability automatically keeps the star centered in your telescope's eyepiece.

1.Set in Home Position: Level the optical tube and point it North. Make sure that the Alt lock (22, Fig. 1) and Az lock (19, Fig. 1) are secured as described previously.

2.Connect Autostar: Verify that Autostar is properly connected to your telescope. See HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE page 10.

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

The Autostar display activates and a copyright message appears 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 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.Enter Date and Time: Enter these values as previously described.

6.Select Setup: Align Option: Press MODE (3, Fig. 2). "Setup: Align" displays.

7.Select Setup: Targets Option: Press the Scroll Down key (7, Fig. 2) repeatedly until

"Setup: Targets" displays. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2).

8.Select Targets: Astronomical Option: "Targets: Terrestrial" displays. Press either of the

Scroll keys once (6 or 7, Fig. 2). "Targets: Astronomical" now displays.

9.Locate a Bright Star: Use the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to locate a bright star in the night sky. Use the viewfinder (5, Fig. 1) to help line up on the star. You may choose any unobstruct- ed, bright star for the purposes of this excercise. Use Autostar's Arrow keys to center the star in the eyepiece.

10.To Start Tracking: Once the star is centered, press ENTER to select "Astronomical." The telescope's tracking motors then engage. It may take the tracking motors several seconds to begin tracking. When they do, it may be necessary to once again center the star in the eyepiece. The tracking motors will then keep the star you have chosen in the center of the eyepiece.

If you wish to track another star, use the Arrow keys to slew the telescope to the star. Center the star. The tracking motors will then keep that star in the center of the eyepiece.

11.To Stop Tracking: Press ENTER. "Setup: Targets" displays. Press ENTER. "Targets:

Astronomical" now displays. Press either of the Scroll keys once. "Targets: Terrestrial" dis- plays. Press ENTER. Tracking is now turned off.

Easy (Two-Star) Align

The fastest and easiest way to locate objects with Autostar's GO TO capabilities is to use the Easy Align menu option.

Autostar automatically picks two stars from its database for the Easy Align procedure. During this procedure, Autostar slews the telescope to a first alignment star. The user is asked to ver- ify that the telescope is pointed at the chosen star and then prompted to center the star in the eyepiece. The process is repeated with a second star to complete the alignment.

NOTE: Before aligning the telescope, first verify that INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page 15, has been performed. See MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR’S MENUS, page 15, if you wish to learn how to operate Autostar’s keys.

How to Easy Align Your Telescope

If you have just applied power to Autostar, perform steps 1 through 5. If you have already per- formed the initialization procedure, go to step 6.

1.Sun Warning - Press the key prompted by Autostar to accept.

2.Getting Started - Press ENTER to continue.

3.Enter Date - Enter the current date as previously described, then press ENTER.

4.Enter Time - Enter the current time as previously described. Select "AM," "PM," or 24-hour clock (blank). Then press ENTER.

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