Meade Autostar Features, DS-2000 TIPS, Join an Astronomy Club, Attend a Star Party

NOTE: DS-2000EC users, see APPENDIX E, page 39, for informa- tion about your sup- plied Electronic Controller. Autostar information does not apply.

DS-2000EC users may obtain the #494 Autostar handbox as an optional accesso- ry. See page 40 for more information.

AUTOSTAR FEATURES

Control of the DS-2000AT Series Telescopes is through the operation of the #494 Autostar handbox. Nearly all functions of the telescope are accomplished with just a few pushes of Autostar’s buttons. Some of the major features of Autostar are:

■Automatically move the telescope to any of the 1400 objects stored in the database or manually enter the astronomical coordinates of any celestial object.

■Take a guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the year.

■Access a glossary of astronomical terms.

■Calculate which eyepiece to use for optimum viewing of a celestial object.

The Autostar Computer Controller provides control of virtually every telescope function within a compact handbox. Autostar has soft-touch keys designed to have a positive feel. The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is backlit with a red LED (Light Emitting Diode) for easy viewing in the dark. The backlit display, key arrangement, and sequential database make Autostar extremely user friendly.

NOTE: Autostar does not require batteries; the telescope’s batteries supply power to Autostar.

2-Line LCD Display - Provides an interface between Autostar and the telescope.

•Top line: Lists the primary category or menu item.

•Bottom line: Contains a menu option or information about an object or subject, depending on which function is being performed.

ENTER Key - Accesses, in a sequential manner, the next menu or data level in the Autostar database. See MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR'S MENUS, page 17 and MENUS AND MENU OPTIONS, page 23.

NOTE: If ENTER is pressed for two seconds or more and then released, Autostar
emits a beep and “ENTER to Sync”
is displayed. "ENTER to Sync" is rel-
evant only after the telescope has	DS-2000 TIPS
been aligned and is pointing at an
object. If the "ENTER to Sync" fea-	Join an Astronomy Club
ture is accessed by mistake, press
MODE to return to the previous	Attend a Star Party
screen. See HIGH PRECISION, page	A fun way to learn more about astronomy is to
27, for more details about this fea-
	join an astronomy club. Check your local news-
ture.
	paper, school, library, or telescope dealer to find
MODE Key - Returns to the previous	out if there’s a club in your area.
	At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy
menu or data level in the Autostar data-
base until the top level, “Select Item," is	enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share
reached. The MODE key is similar to	your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to
the ESCAPE key on a computer.	learn more about observing the sky, to find out
NOTE: Pressing MODE while in the	where the best observing sites are, and to com-
	pare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters,
“Select Item” level moves Autostar to	tripods, and so forth.
the topmost screen: “Select Item:	Often, club members are excellent astrophotog-
Object.”
	raphers. Not only will you be able to see exam-
NOTE: If MODE is pressed and held	ples of their art, but you may even be able to
	pick up some “tricks of the trade” to try out on
for two seconds or more, the follow-
	your DS-2000 telescope.
ing information is then available	Many groups also hold regularly scheduled Star
using the Scroll keys (6 and 7, Fig.
	Parties at which you can check out and observe
2):
	with many different telescopes and other pieces
• Right Ascension and Declination	of astronomical equipment. Magazines such as
(astronomical) coordinates (see	Sky & Telescope and Astronomy print schedules

APPENDIX A, page 35.)

for many popular Star Parties around the United States and Canada.

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