18
10. Select City - The next screen asks for the city (listed alphabetically) closest to the observ-
ing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of cities. Press ENTER when
the correct city appears on screen.
11. Select Model Number - The next screen asks for the telescope model. Use the scroll keys
to locate your telescope model number. Press ENTER when your model number displays.
12. Initialization Complete - System initialization is complete and the screen reads "Align:
Easy."
Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature
In this example, the Autostar Arrow keys are used to find a star, and then Autostar's tracking
capability automatically keeps the star centered in your telescope's eyepiece.
1. Set in Home Position - Level the optical tube and point it North. Make sure that the Dec. Lock
(9, Fig. 1) and tripod base lock knob (26, Fig. 1) are secured as described previously.
2. Connect Autostar - Verify that Autostar is properly connected to your telescope. See
“HOW
TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE,”
page 11.
3. Turn On Power - Flip the telescope power switch to the ON position.
The Autostar display activates and a copyright message appears briefly, followed by a
short beep. Then Autostar takes a few moments to start up the system.
4. Sun Warning - A message displays that warns not to look at the Sun. At the end of this
message, press the key prompted by Autostar to signify that the message has been read
and understood.
5. Enter Date and Time - Enter these values as previously described.
6. Select Setup: Align Option - Press MODE (2, Fig. 2). "Setup: Align" displays.
7. Select Setup: Targets Option - Press the Scroll Down key repeatedly until "Setup:
Targets" displays. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2).
8. Select Targets: Astronomical Option - "Targets: Terrestrial" displays. Press either of the
Scroll keys once (6 or 7, Fig. 2). "Targets: Astronomical" now displays.
9. Locate a Bright Star - Use the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to locate a bright star in the night
sky. Use the viewfinder (15, Fig. 1) to help line up on the star. You may choose any unob-
structed, bright star for the purposes of this example. Use Autostar's Arrow keys to center
the star in the eyepiece.
10. To Start Tracking - Once the star is centered, press ENTER to select "Astronomical." The
telescope's tracking motors then engage. It may take the tracking motors several seconds
to begin tracking. When they do, it may be necessary to once again center the star in the
eyepiece. The tracking motors will then keep the star you have chosen in the center of the
eyepiece.
If you wish to track another star, use the Arrow keys to slew the telescope to the star.
Center the star. The tracking motors will then keep that star in the center of the eyepiece.
11. To Stop Tracking - Press ENTER. "Setup: Targets" displays. Press ENTER. "Targets:
Astronomical" now displays. Press either of the Scroll keys once. "Targets: Terrestrial" dis-
plays. Press ENTER. Tracking is now turned off.
Easy (Two-Star) Align
The fastest and easiest way to locate objects with Autostar's GO TO capabilities is to use Easy
Align.
Autostar automatically picks two stars from its database for the Easy Align procedure. During
this procedure, Autostar slews the telescope to a first alignment star. The user is asked to ver-
ify that the telescope is pointed at the chosen star and then prompted to center the star in the
eyepiece. The process is repeated with a second star to complete the alignment.
NOTE: Before aligning the telescope, first verify that
INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page
17, has been performed. See MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR’S MENUS, page
17, if you wish to learn how to operate Autostar’s keys.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
While performing the
automatic tracking pro-
cedure, only use the
Arrow keys to move the
telescope. Once the tel-
escope has been set in
the Alt/Az home posi-
tion, do not loosen the
telescope locks (10 and
26, Fig. 1), or move the
base manually, or align-
ment will be lost.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Autostar requests the
Country/State, City, and
Telescope Model infor-
mation only the first
time Autostar is activat-
ed. If you wish to
change this information,
use the "Site" and
"Telescope Model"
options in the Setup
menu. See pages 27
and 26 for more infor-
mation.