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page 17
Initializing Starfinder
This exercise describes how to initialize Starfinder.
Initialization is a procedure that enables Starfinder to operate correctly. When you first
use Starfinder, it doesn't yet "know" the location of the observing site or the time or
date of the observation session. During the Initialization procedure, you will enter this
information. Starfinder then uses the information to calculate the location of celestial
objects (such as stars and planets) and to move your telescope correctly for various
operations.
NOTE: Normally, you will enter the Time and Date at the beginning of each
observing session, but you will only perform the full Initialization procedure
(i.e., entering the Location information as well as the Time and Date) the
first time you use Starfinder or after performing a Reset. Fig. 16 depicts an
example of Starfinder Initialization procedure.
NOTE: See "STARFINDER CONTROLS," page 23, for a detailed
description of Starfinder's Keys.
1. Make sure that the telescope is assembled correctly, and that the batteries and the
motor drives are installed as described previously.
2. Plug Starfinder's cord into the HBX port, as previously described, or if Starfinder
is already plugged in, unplug it briefly and then plug it back in again.
3. A copyright message lights on Starfinder’s LCD display and a message warning
not to look at the Sun scrolls across the display. Press the key prompted by
Starfinder to acknowledge the message has been read and understood.
4. The Getting Started menu displays a scrolling message with two choices:
a. Press and hold down the Speed/? key (8, Fig. 13) for about 2 seconds for
information on Starfinder functions and controls. When finished, press MODE
(3, Fig. 13) to exit Help, or,
b. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 13) to bypass the Help tutorial and continue with
Initialization.
5. Starfinder then prompts you to enter the current date:
a. To enter numbers, press either the Up or Down Arrow key (5, Fig. 13) to scroll
through numbers 0 through 9. After the desired number is displayed, use the
Right Arrow key (5, Fig. 13) to move the cursor from one number to the next
in the day display (or use to Left Arrow key to move in the other direction
across the display, if necessary).
b. Use the Right Arrow key (5, Fig. 13) to move the cursor to the month. Use the
Scroll keys (8, 9, Fig. 13) to cycle through the list of months. When the current
month is displayed, use the Right Arrow (5, Fig. 13 to move the cursor to the
year.
c. Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to enter all four digits of the current year.
Use the Right Arrow key to move the cursor from one number to the next.
d. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 13) when the entire date has been entered.
6. Starfinder then prompts you to enter the current time. Use the Up and Down Arrow
keys to enter digits and the Right and Left Arrow keys move the cursor across the
screen as described in the previous step. Enter the current time (use a "0" for the
first digit if less than 10). Use the Up Arrow key (7, Fig. 13) to scroll through "AM,"
"PM,'" or "blank." The "blank" option selects the 24-hour (i.e., military time) clock.
Then press ENTER to start the clock.
NOTE: When multiple choices are available within a menu option, the
option that is currently selected is usually displayed first and highlighted by
a right pointing arrow (>).