Meade Autostar Instruction Manual

Meade Instruments CorporationInstruction ManualAutostar®#494 Computer Controller

7. Autostar then prompts you to enter the current date. a. To enter numbers, press either the Up or DownArrow key (5, Fig. 3) to scroll through numbe

c. Autostar then prompts you to choose your tele-scope model number. Use the Scroll keys to cyclethrough the list of telescope models. Press ENTERwhen

Example:To navigate to the "Select Item: Setup" menu option whenthe "Select Item: Object" menu is displayed: 1. Press the Scroll

TRAINING THE DRIVE Perform this procedure the first time power is applied or afterperforming a Reset.-13-NOTE: Use a terrestrial object, such as a tel

ALIGNMENTAs the Earth rotates beneath the night sky, the stars appearto move from East to West. The speed at which the starsmove is called the siderea

6. Select Alignment: “Align: Easy” displays. PressENTER.7. Set Home Position: Autostar then prompts you to setthe telescope in the "Alt/Az"

WHICH ONE’S THE ALIGNMENT STAR?If Autostar has chosen an alignment star that you are unfa-miliar with, how can you be sure if the star in your eyepiec

IMPORTANT NOTE: Once aligned, only use theGO TO or Arrow keys to move the telescope. Donot loosen the horizontal and vertical locks of thetelescope, o

5. Press MODE to return to the Tour list. Press the Scrollkeys to scroll through the list. Press ENTER when youfind the next object you wish to obser

-19-AUTOSTAR MENUS Fig. 9: The Autostar Menu Structure.Solar SystemMercuryEtc.MoonAsteroidsCometsConstellationsAndromedaEtc.Deep SkyNamed ObjectGalax

QUICK START GUIDE To connect Autostar to your telescope: Remove the telescope from its packaging. Attach theviewfinder (if necessary) and insert an e

OBJECT MENUAlmost all observing with Autostar is performed using theObject menu category. (NOTE: Exceptions include GuidedTour and Landmark Survey.)Se

tree, or hill), press ENTER and Autostar startsto move the telescope along the expectedsatellite track. When the track clears theobstruction, press EN

has been properly aligned, use the Autostar Arrow keys tomove about in the sky. Then follow this procedure: IMPORTANT NOTE: Only use the Arrow keys to

the other. The combined magnitude of the two stars thusdips from +2.1 to a minimum of +3.4 halfway through theeclipse as the second star is hidden. Au

 Magnification: Scroll through a list of available eye-pieces. When an eyepiece is selected, the magnifica-tion is calculated.  Suggest: Autostar ca

Time changes the time entered into Autostar. Setting thecorrect time is critical for Autostar to properly calculate loca-tions and events. Time may be

Targets switches between Astronomical targets andTerrestrial targets. If "Astronomical" is selected, the tele-scope tracking motor is activa

Statistics provides basic statistical data about Autostar,including:  Characters Free: Shows how much room is availablein user-defined object memory.

MEADE CUSTOMER SERVICEIf you have a question concerning Autostar, contact theMeade Instruments Customer Service Department at:Telephone: 1-800-62-MEAD

APPENDIX A: ENTERING R.A. AND DEC COORDINATESAlthough Autostar's database contains more than 1400objects (stars, nebulae, planets, etc.) that you

TABLE OF CONTENTSQuick Start Guide 2Autostar Features 5Getting Started 7Assembly Instructions 7Manual Observation Using Arrow Keys 7Using Autostar&apo

9. Autostar then prompts you to enter the Magnitude ofthe object. This step is also optional. Use the Arrowkeys to enter this information, if so desir

MEADE LIMITED WARRANTYEvery Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corporation (“Meade”)to be free

Key to Fig. 3 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Screen (2-lines, 16 characters each line)  ENTER Key  MODE Key  GO TO Key  Arrow Keys (Up, Down, Left,

AUTOSTAR FEATURESControl of nearly every telescope function is accomplishedwith just a few pushes of Autostar's keys. Autostar has soft-touch key

Arrow keys are used to move the blinking cursor leftand right across the LCD display.  Alt/Az alignment: Use the Up and Down Arrow keys tomove the te

GETTING STARTEDControl of your DS telescope is through the operation of thestandard-equipment #494 Autostar. Nearly all functions ofthe telescope are

4. Use the Scroll keys (6 and 7, Fig. 3) to cycle through thelist of countries, states, and provinces (listed alphabeti-cally). Press ENTER when the d

first time you use Autostar or after performing aReset. Fig. 4 depicts an example of an AutostarInitialization procedure.1. Plug Autostar's cord