Meade ETX-60AT instruction manual Event Menu

•Select - To select a Landmark already in the database, choose the "Select" option and scroll through the list. Press ENTER to select a Landmark, then press GO TO and the tel- escope slews to the object.

•Add - To add a Landmark, choose the "Add" option. Enter a name for the Landmark. Locate and center the Landmark, then press ENTER.

Identify is an exciting feature for an observer who wants to scan the night sky and start explor- ing. After the telescope has been properly aligned, use the Autostar Arrow keys to move about in the sky. Then follow this procedure:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Only use the Arrow keys to move the telescope during the Identify procedure. Do not loosen the telescope locks or move the base. Alignment is lost.

1.When a desired object is visible in the eyepiece, keep pressing MODE until the “Select Item: Object” menu is displayed.

2.Scroll through the Object menu options until the “Object: Identify” screen appears.

3.Press ENTER. Autostar searches the database for the identity of the object being observed.

4.If the telescope is not directly on an Autostar database object, the nearest database object is located and displayed on the screen. Press GO TO and the telescope slews to that object.

Event Menu

The Event menu provides access to dates and times of astronomical events. The Event data- base includes:

Sunrise and Sunset calculates the time that the Sun rises or sets on the current date. Find rise and set times for other dates by entering a new date into the “Setup: Date” menu.

Moonrise and Moonset calculates the time that the Moon rises or sets on the current date. Find rise and set times for other dates by entering a new date into the “Setup: Date” menu.

Moon Phases displays the date and time of the next Full, New, 1st Quarter, and 3rd Quarter Moon.

Meteor Showers provides information on upcoming meteor showers, such as the Perseids, the Leonids, etc. Also lists the dates of the showers and when they reach maximum.

NOTE: Meteors are fast moving objects that cover large areas of the sky and are usually best observed with the naked eye.

Solar Eclipse lists upcoming Solar Eclipses, including the date and type (total, annular, or partial) of eclipse, and the location and time of the first and last contacts of the Moon's shadow. Use the Scroll Up and Down keys to display the available data. Remember, never use a telescope to look at the sun! See “WARNING!” page 2.

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

•Try to pick an observing site away from street and house lights and car headlights. While this is not always possible, the darker the site, the better.

•Give your eyes about ten minutes to adjust to the darkness before observing. Give your eyes a rest from observing every ten or fifteen min- utes to relieve eyestrain.

•Try not to use a standard flashlight. A lot of observers use red LED flashlights or tape red cellophane over their flashlights to use for setup and map reading so they don’t have to continually readjust their eyes to the darkness. Be careful not to shine bright lights if there are other observers in the area. Do not shine a flashlight into the telescope while someone is observing!

•Dress warmly. It gets chilly when you’re sitting for prolonged periods.

•Practice setting up your equipment during the day or in a lighted area to become familiar with it before going to a dark site.

•Use your 25mm eyepiece to view terrestrial objects and wider areas of space, such as open star clusters. Use your 9mm eyepiece when you wish to view something up close, such as craters on the Moon or the rings of Saturn.

•Know your observing site. If you’re going to try out an unfamiliar site, check it out in the daylight for possible obstructions and pitfalls.

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