Brightness Adj: Adjusts the brightness of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press
ENTER.
Contrast Adj: Adjusts the contrast of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press
ENTER.
NOTE: This feature is usually only required in very cold weather.
Landmark Survey automatically slews the telescope to all
Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts down Autostar and the telescope without for- getting its alignment. With "Sleep Scope" selected, press ENTER to activate the Sleep func- tion. Autostar goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running. Press any key, except ENTER, to
Park Scope is designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. Next time it is powered up, enter the correct date and time - no alignment is required. Pressing ENTER causes the tele- scope to move to its
IMPORTANT NOTE: When the "Park Scope" option is chosen and the display prompts you to turn off the telescope's power, Autostar is unable to be returned to operation without turning the power off and then back on.
Setup Menu
The Setup menu’s primary function is to align the telescope (see pages 14 and 21). However, there are numerous other features available within the Setup menu, including:
Date changes the date used by Autostar. This function is useful to check events in the past or future. For example, set the Date menu for a day three months in the future. Then check the
"Select Item: Event" menu for the Sunset |
|
time on that date. See “EVENT MENU,” | TIPS FOR BEGINNERS |
page 17. |
Time changes the time entered into Autostar. Setting the correct time is criti- cal for Autostar to properly calculate locations and events. Time may be set to
Daylight Saving is used to enable or disable Daylight Savings time.
NOTE: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by different names in various areas of the world. Check local time to verify.
Telescope accesses the several options, including:
•Telescope Model: Selects the model of telescope connected to Autostar.
•Focal Length: Displays the focal length of the selected telescope.
•Az Ratio and Alt Ratio: The Az (Azimuth) ratio and Alt (Altitude) ratio refers to the gears of the tele- scope's motors. Do not alter these numbers.
•Mount: Choose between Alt/Az mount or Polar Mount. Mount requires that the telescope be physically aligned to the mount selected in this menu. The default setting is "Alt/Az."
Surf the Web
One of the most exciting resources for astronomy is the internet. The internet is full of websites with new images, discoveries, and the latest astronomical information. For example, when comet
You can find websites for almost any topic relating to astronomy on the internet. Try the following key word searches: NASA, Hubble, HST, astronomy, Messier, satellite, nebula, black hole, variable stars, etc.
Check out Meade’s website for the latest product and technical information. You can download the latest software revisions, links to other astronomi- cal sites, coordinates of celestial objects and the latest satellite tracking information for your #494 Autostar handset. See page 20 for more informa- tion. You’ll find our website at:
http://www.meade.com/
Here are some other sites you might find interesting:
•Sky & Telescope: http://www.skypub.com/
•Astronomy: http://www2.astronomy.com/astro/
•The Starfield:
http://users.nac.net/gburke/
•Astronomy Picture of the Day: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.goc/apod/
•Heaven’s Above (satellite observing information):
Autostar Menus 19
