The following commands specify objects that are already in the AutoStar database. If these commands follow the command AUTO SELECT, the object's title displays on line 1 and its description scrolls across line 2.
Do not add a description string after the following command lines; these commands access objects with existing description in the AutoStar database.
NGC xxxx
Enter NGC followed by the desired New General Catalog number and AutoStar provides the user with a description of the object from its database. For example: NGC 4256
IC xxxx
Enter IC followed by the desired Index Catalog number and AutoStar provides the user with a description of the object from its database. For example: IC 1217
SAO xxxxxx
Enter SAO followed by the desired SAO number and AutoStar provides the user with a description of the object from its database. For example: SAO 30200
Messier xxx
Enter MESSIER followed by the desired Messier number and AutoStar provides the user with a description of the object from its database. For example: M 101
CALDWELL xxx
Enter CALDWELL followed by the Caldwell number and AutoStar provides the user with a description of the object from its database. For example: CALDWELL 17
PLANET "name"
Enter PLANET and then the name of the desired planet in quotes. AutoStar provides the user with a description of the selected planet from its database. For example: PLANET "Pluto"
MOON
This command accesses information about the Moon from the AutoStar database.
SATELLITE "name"
Enter SATELLITE and then the name of the desired satellite in quotes. AutoStar displays information about the satellite from its database. For example: SATELLITE: "Intl Space Stn"
ASTEROID "name"
Enter ASTEROID and then the name of the desired asteroid in quotes. AutoStar displays information about the asteroid from its database. For example: ASTEROID: "Ceres"
COMET "name"
Enter COMET and then the name of the desired comet in quotes. AutoStar displays information about the comet from its database. For example: COMET: "Halley"
LUNAR ECLIPSE
If LUNAR ECLIPSE is part of the tour, AutoStar checks its database every time the tour is activated to see if a lunar eclipse is visible that evening. If no eclipse is visible, this option is skipped and the tour proceeds on to the next object.
METEOR SHOWER
If METEOR SHOWER is part of the tour, AutoStar checks its database every time the tour is activated to see if a meteor shower is visible that evening. If no meteor shower is visible, this option is skipped and the tour proceeds on to the the next object.
DEEP SKY "name"
Enter DEEP SKY followed by the name of the desired object in quotes. For example: DEEP SKY "Small Magellanic Cloud"
CONSTELLATION "name"
Enter CONSTELLATION followed by the name of the desired constellation in quotes. For example: CONSTELLATION "Leo Major"
33
