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Autostar
MEADE
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Introduction
This manual describes applications of the Autostar Computer
Controller with various models of Meade telescopes:
ETX-90EC: Refer to the manual included with the ETX-90EC for
instructions on the basic operation of the telescope, including usage
of the standard-equipment Electronic Controller (EC).
DS-telescopes (e.g., DS-60, DS-70, etc.): (a) Refer to the manual
included with each of these models for instructions on the basic
operation of the telescope. (b) If you purchased a DS-model which
includes the #492 Dual-Motor Electronic Control System, then
interchange the Electronic Controller (EC) of the #492 System with
the Autostar Computer Controller and follow the instructions in this
manual. The Autostar handbox plugs into the same HBX connector
on the telescope as the EC handbox. (c) If your DS-model did not
originally include the #492 System, and you are now adding the
complete #493 Autostar Computer Control System (including motors
on both axes) to your telescope, then read the enclosed manual
(Meade #493 Autostar Computer Control System) first, before
reading this manual.
Autostar assists the observer with a large variety of features,
including:
-3
First Operation
Autostar Installation: Verify that power is turned off at the
telescope computer control panel. Plug the coil cord (13) into the coil
cord port (11). Plug the other end into the computer control panel
HBX (handbox) port. Turn on the telescope power using the switch
on the ETX computer control panel or by plugging in the power cord
to the DS computer control panel.
Initialization: With power on, Autostar begins the startup process by
displaying the Meade copyright message, sounding a beep, and
initializing the computer system. After initialization, Autostar requests
information needed to operate the telescope.
*Problem* If Autostar does not display messages, turn the power off
and then back on. Also, check the batteries or other power source.
If the beep sounded and the screen is difficult to read, press MODE
(3) and Autostar resets the screen to factory settings.
Autostar Menus
Autostar Menu Structures: Autostar has menus with lists of
available features (see Figure 1). The menus are organized in
descending levels and are seen on the Autostar screen (1). The top
line of the screen is the currently active menu category and the
bottom line has the list of menu options that can be selected. Four
keys are used to navigate the menus; ENTER, MODE, and both
SCROLL keys. Pressing ENTER activates the item listed on the
bottom line (moving down a menu level) and moves it to the top line.
With the selected function on the top line, a new list of functions can
then be displayed on the bottom line. To go back to the previous
menu (moving up a menu level), press MODE. Pressing a SCROLL
key changes the menu item visible on the bottom line. Since only
one item of a menu list can be displayed on the bottom line, scrolling
makes the other choices visible.
-5Select Item:
Object
Event
Guided Tour
Tour Objects
Glossary
Utilities
Setup
Align
Easy
Date
One Star
Time
Two Star
Daylight Saving
Telescope
Telescope Model
Targets
Focal Length
Site
Az. Ratio
Owner Info
Alt. Ratio
Clone
Mount
Download
Train Drive
Statistics
Tracking Rate
Reset
Reverse L/R
Reverse UP/DOWN
Calibrate Motor
High Precision
Timer
Alarm
Eyepiece Calc.
Brightness Adj.
Contrast Adj.
Battery Alarm
Landmark Survey
Sleep Scope
Park Scope
A
B
C
Sunrise
Sunset
Moonrise
Moonset
Moon Phases
Meteor Shower
Solar Eclipses
Lunar Eclipses
Min. of Algol
Autumn Equinox
Vernal Equinox
Winter Solstice
Summer Solstice
Solar System
Constellation
Deep Sky
Star
Satellite
User Object
Landmarks
Identify
Named
SAO Catalog
Double
Variable
Nearby
With Planets
Named Objects
Galaxies
Nebulas
Planetary Neb.
Star Clusters
Quasars
Black Holes
IC Objects
NGC Objects
Caldwell Objects
Messier Objects
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Moon
Asteroids
Comets
MODE
MODE
Telescope Training
Telescope Alignment
-7outside area with few obstructions and an open sky . The telescope
should be prepared for observing with lens covers removed, a low
power eyepiece installed and the viewfinder aligned.
Use MODE to return to the main menu (Select Item:). Chose the
Setup menu and press ENTER. Press ENTER again to select the
Align menu. Press ENTER a third time to begin the Easy Align
procedure and follow the instructions given by Autostar. The first
action is to put the telescope in the Home position. Home position
for all telescope models is with the telescope tube level (at 0) and
pointed North. ETX telescopes must also have the base in a special
position to avoid internal hardstops. Begin by releasing the ETX
horizontal lock lever. Turn the telescope counterclockwise until it
stops. Next turn the telescope clockwise until the fork arm is directly
over the computer control panel and lock the horizontal axis.
With the telescope in the home position (level and pointed North),
press ENTER. Autostar now selects a bright star and moves the
telescope to point near it. Using the ARROW keys, center the star in
the viewfinder and then in the eyepiece. The alignment star should
be easily recognized and is the brightest object in the sky where the
telescope is aimed. When the star is centered, press ENTER.
Autostar then selects a second star and points the telescope toward
it. Repeat the same procedure as used on the first star. If the
alignment operation was done accurately, Autostar displays, Align
Successful. The telescope begins tracking (motors can be heard
making a low hum) and the screen returns to the main menu.
*Hint* If a selected star is not visible or is behind an obstacle, press
a SCROLL key and Autostar makes another selection. The SCROLL
key can be pressed as often as needed to locate a visible star.
*Problem* If Autostar detects inconsistent data the screen reads:
Alignment Failed. Repeat the alignment procedure until successful.
Guided Tour picks the best objects available for viewing. To start a
guided tour, select the Guided Tour function from the main menu.
Use the SCROLL keys to view the list of tour objects and press
ENTER to select any object of interest. When selected, the object
name appears on the top line and information about the object is on
the bottom line. Object information includes: astronomical
coordinates, size, brightness, and more. All information can be seen
using the SCROLL keys. Some objects have a moving message with
a description of the object. If a moving message appears, use
MODE to exit the message when completed.
To direct Autostar to point the telescope at a selected object, press
GO TO. The telescope moves at high speed toward the object. The
telescope slows as it approaches the object and eventually stops
and sounds a beep. The object should be visible in the eyepiece of
the telescope. To see more objects in the Guided Tour, press MODE.
Display a new object with the SCROLL keys and press ENTER to
select it. Use this method to view any of the Guided Tour objects.
*Problem* If objects are not in the eyepiece after GO TO is pressed,
check the viewfinder to see if it is near the center. Under high
magnification, some objects may be slightly out of the field of view
and need some minor manual correction using the ARROW keys.
If the object was not close to center, there are several possibilities.
First, the telescope must sit on a stable surface or tripod. Second,
use only the ARROW keys or GO TO key to move the telescope or
alignment is lost. Third, be sure the date, time, and site are
accurately entered. Fourth, make sure the telescope axis locks are
firmly engaged to prevent slippage of the internal clutch. Fifth,
telescope training must be accurate. Repeat very carefully all of the
steps to train the telescope. Last, the alignment procedure must be
done accurately. Make sure each step is done carefully and that
alignment stars are centered.
Synchronize Function: To improve the ability of Autostar to find
objects, a sync function is included to make minor alignment
corrections. If an object is not centered in the eyepiece, press and
-8hold ENTER for two seconds. Autostar requests that the selected
object be centered, then press ENTER again. This improves the
accuracy of alignment, particularly in the region of sky immediately
around the sync object.
Telescope Status Display: This is activated by pressing MODE for
more than 2 seconds. The screen shows values related to Autostar
operation, and can be viewed by using the SCROLL keys.
The telescope can also be pointed at a particular location using the
ARROW keys and watching a location display. For automatic
movement of the telescope, press GO TO during a location display.
Autostar requests the destination coordinates to be entered. Enter
the coordinates, then press ENTER. Autostar moves the telescope
to that location. To exit the status display, press MODE.
Sunrise and Sunset displays the time that the Sun rises or
sets on the current date.
Moonrise and Moonset displays the time that the Moon rises
or sets on the current date.
Moon Phases displays the date and time of Full, New, 1st Qtr,
and 3rd Qtr Moon.
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Contrast Adj uses the scroll keys to adjust the contrast of the
screen. This feature is usually only required in very cold weather.
When complete, press ENTER.
Battery Alarm sounds when the batteries are nearing replacement.
If not desired, press the scroll key to change the screen from YES to
NO. Press ENTER and the beep no longer sounds.
Landmark Survey automatically moves the telescope to all userdefined landmarks with a pause at each location. Use the ARROW
keys to manually locate the first landmark. Press and hold ENTER
for 2 seconds; the message ENTER to Sync. appears. Press
ENTER and this landmark is synchronized with all other landmarks.
Important Note: To accomplish a landmark survey, all landmarks
must have been entered into the Autostar database from the same
reference point (i.e., the telescope must be in the exact same
location and mounted and aligned in the exact same way).
Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts down Autostar and
the telescope without forgetting its alignment. Press ENTER to
activate the Sleep function and Autostar goes dark but the internal
clock keeps running. Press any key, except ENTER, to re-activate.
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 telescope to move to its pre-determined Park position.
Once parked, the screen prompts to turn off power.
E. Setup Menu Options
The Select Item: Setup category primary function is to align the
telescope. However, there are numerous other features available
within Setup. These options are:
Date changes the date currently used by Autostar.
Time changes the time entered into Autostar. Setting the correct
time is critical for Autostar to properly calculate locations and events.
NOTE: The reverse functions above are useful for observers in the
southern hemisphere (i.e., South America, Australia, Africa, etc.)
FCC NOTICE
(949) 451-1450
Ver. 0399
Part Number 14-2001-01