Meade LX200 R Observe the Moon, Astronomical Observing, To Track an Object Automatically

Definition: Initialization is a proce- dure that ensures that AutoStar II operates cor- rectly. When you first use AutoStar II, it doesn't yet know where the observa- tion location site is or the time or date of the obser- vation session.

During the automatic alignment procedure, the system calculates these parameters automatically.

AutoStar II uses this infor- mation to precisely calcu- late the location of celestial objects (such as stars and planets) and to move your telescope correctly for vari- ous operations.

Tip:

When multiple choices are available within an AutoStar

IImenu option, the current option is usually displayed first and highlighted by a right pointing arrow (>).

Important Note:

Press any key on the AutoStar II handbox to abort the GPS fix.

Press MODE repeatedly until "Select Item" displays and use the AutoStar menu options to choose a manual alignment or to find an AutoStar option, such as "Brightness."

Observe the Moon

Point your telescope at the Moon (note that the Moon is not visible every night) and practice using the Arrow keys, the microfocuser and the slew speeds to view different features. The Moon contains many interesting features, including craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines. The best time to view the Moon is during its crescent or half phase. Sunlight strikes the Moon at an angle during these periods and adds a depth to the view. No shadows are seen during a full Moon, making the overly bright surface to appear flat and rather uninteresting. Consider the use of a neutral density Moon fil- ter when observing the Moon. See page 45. Not only does it cut down the Moon's bright glare, but it also enhances contrast, providing a more dramatic image.

Astronomical Observing

Used as an astronomical instrument, your telescope has many optical and electro- mechanical capabilities. It is in astronomical applications where the high level of opti- cal performance is readily visible. The range of observable astronomical objects is limited only by the observer’s motivation.

To Track an Object Automatically

As the Earth rotates beneath the night sky, the stars appear to move from East to West. The speed at which the stars move is called the sidereal rate. You can setup your telescope to move at the sidereal rate so that it automatically tracks (follows) the stars and other objects in the night sky. If the telescope is not tracking an astronomi- cal object, the object will drift out of the eyepiece field of view. The tracking function automatically keeps an object centered in the telescope’s eyepiece.

To automatically track objects, you need to learn how the AutoStar II keypad operates in order to move through its menus. You'll need to initialize and align your telescope.

Moving Through AutoStar II’s Menus

The AutoStar II database is organized in levels for quick and easy navigation.

Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2) to go deeper into AutoStar II's menu levels.

Press MODE (3, Fig. 2) to move back toward the top menu level.

Press the Scroll keys (7, Fig. 2) to move up and down through the options avail- able for each level.

Press the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to enter characters and digits. The Arrow keys are also used to move the telescope.

Use the Number keys to enter digits.

Automatic Alignment (Auto Align™) Feature

AutoStar II offers four methods of altazimuth (alt/az) alignment; this section describes how to initialize and align your telescope using Automatic Alignment. (For a descrip- tion of the other alt/az alignment methods, see pages 37 and 38. For information about equatorial (polar) alignment, see APPENDIX A, page 52.)

To prepare your telescope for Automatic Alignment:

1.Tighten the R.A. and Dec. locks (12 and 17, Fig. 1).

2.Verify that AutoStar II is properly connected to your telescope. See HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE, page 13.

3.Flip the telescope power switch to the ON position.

When you slide the On/Off switch to “On” on your telescope’s computer control panel, a version screen briefly appears, followed by “Welcome to AutoStar.”

4.“Press 0 to align or Mode for Menu.” displays. Press “0” to begin Automatic Alignment. (If you wish to choose a manual alignment method, keep pressing Mode to go through the menus to find other alignments.)

Note: AutoStar II initializes the Smart Drive if "On" has been previously per- formed PEC training and you have "parked" the telescope. If you have parked it, AutoStar II will remember its position on the worm gear. If you do not park the scope and turn it off, it will not remember its position. See PARKING THE TELESCOPE, page 28 and PEC TRAINING, page 39.

- 18 -	Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope
	at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.