Meade DSX Series instruction manual DSX Tips, Join an Astronomy Club Attend a Star Party

DEFINITION: Throughout this manu- al, you will notice the term "Alt/Az." Alt/Az is frequently used to refer to Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizon- tal). Alt/Az is just one of many methods used by amateur astronomers to help locate stars in the night sky.

Fasten wingnuts

•Alt/Az Alignment:Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to move the telescope vertically up and down. The Left Arrow key rotates the telescope horizontally counterclockwise, while the Right Arrow key rotates it clockwise.

gNumber Keys: Input digits 0 - 9 and changes the slew speeds (see SLEW SPEEDS, page 16). The "0" key also turns on and off the red utility light on the top of the handbox.

hScroll Keys: Accesses database options within a selected menu. The menu is displayed on the first line of the screen. Options within the menu are displayed, one at a time, on the second line. Press the Scroll keys to move through the options. Press and hold a Scroll key to move quickly through the options.

The Scroll keys also scroll through the letters of the alphabet and numerical digits.

NOTE: The Scroll Down key and the Down Arrow key move forward through the alphabet & digits (A to Z, 0 to 9). The Scroll Up key and the Up Arrow key move backward (Z to A, 9 to 0). Common symbols are also available in the list.

i? Key: Accesses the "Help" file. "Help" provides on-screen information on how to accomplish whatever task is currently active.

Hold down the ? key and then follow the prompts on the display to access details of Autostar functions in the Help feature. The Help system is essentially an on-screen instruction manual.

If you have a question about an Autostar operation, e.g., INITIALIZATION, ALIGNMENT, etc., hold down the ? key and follow the directions that scroll on the second line of the LCD screen. When a word appears in [brackets], press ENTER to access the Autostar Glossary. A definition or more detailed information is displayed. Press MODE to return to the scrolling Autostar Help display.

When satisfied with the Help provided, press MODE to return to the original screen and continue with the chosen procedure.

jCoil Cord Port: Plug one end of the Autostar coil cord into this port (11, Fig. 2) located at the bottom of the Autostar handbox.

1) Coil Cord: Plug one end of the Autostar coil cord into the HBX port (13A, Fig. 1) of the computer control panel of the telescope.

1! RS-232 Port: Plug an RS-232 cable into Autostar for downloading functions such as "Download" or "Clone." See page 16 for more details.

1@ Utility Light: Use this built-in red light to illuminate star charts and accessories without disturbing your eye's adaptation to darkness.

Fig. 3 Attach Tray to the tri- pod: Thread the wingnuts to the bolts (bottom view). See facing page.

Fig. 4: Secure the tripod: turn the tripod lock knob. See facing page.

DSX TIPS

Join an Astronomy Club

Attend a Star Party

A fun way to learn more about astronomy is to join an astronomy club. Check your local newspaper, school, library, or telescope dealer to find out if there’s a club in your area.

At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to learn more about observing the sky, to find out where the best observing sites are, and to compare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters, tripods, and so forth.

Often, club members are excellent astrophotographers. Not only will you be able to see examples of their art, but you may even be able to pick up some “tricks of the trade” to try out on your DSX telescope.

Many groups also hold regularly scheduled Star Parties at which you can check out and observe with many different telescopes and other pieces of astronomical equipment. Magazines such as Sky & Telescope and Astronomy print schedules for many popular Star Parties around the United States and Canada.

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