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Control of the DS-2000AT Series Telescopes is through the operation of the #494 Autostar
handbox. Nearly all functions of the telescope are accomplished with just a few pushes of
Autostar’s buttons. Some of the major features of Autostar are:
■ Automatically move the telescope to any of the 1400 objects stored in the database or
manually enter the astronomical coordinates of any celestial object.
■ Take a guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the year.
■ Access a glossary of astronomical terms.
■ Calculate which eyepiece to use for optimum viewing of a celestial object.
The Autostar Computer Controller provides control of virtually every telescope function within a
compact handbox. Autostar has soft-touch keys designed to have a positive feel. The LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) is backlit with a red LED (Light Emitting Diode) for easy viewing in the
dark. The backlit display, key arrangement, and sequential database make Autostar extremely
user friendly.
NOTE: Autostar does not require batteries; the telescope’s batteries supply power
to Autostar.
ᕡ 2-Line LCD Display - Provides an interface between Autostar and the telescope.
• Top line: Lists the primary category or menu item.
• Bottom line: Contains a menu option or information about an object or subject,
depending on which function is being performed.
ᕢ ENTER Key - Accesses, in a sequential manner, the next menu or data level in the Autostar
database. See
MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR'S MENUS, page 17 and MENUS AND MENU
OPTIONS, page 23.
NOTE: If ENTER is pressed for two seconds or more and then released, Autostar
emits a beep and “ENTER to Sync”
is displayed. "ENTER to Sync" is rel-
evant only after the telescope has
been aligned and is pointing at an
object. If the "ENTER to Sync" fea-
ture is accessed by mistake, press
MODE to return to the previous
screen. See
HIGH PRECISION, page
27, for more details about this fea-
ture.
ᕣ MODE Key - Returns to the previous
menu or data level in the Autostar data-
base until the top level, “Select Item," is
reached. The MODE key is similar to
the ESCAPE key on a computer.
NOTE: Pressing MODE while in the
“Select Item” level moves Autostar to
the topmost screen: “Select Item:
Object.”
NOTE: If MODE is pressed and held
for two seconds or more, the follow-
ing information is then available
using the Scroll keys (6 and 7, Fig.
2):
• Right Ascension and Declination
(astronomical) coordinates (see
APPENDIX A, page 35.)
AUTOSTAR FEATURES
DS-2000 TIPS
Join an Astronomy Club
Attend a Star Party
A fun way to learn more about astronomy is to
join an astronomy club. Check your local news-
paper, school, library, or telescope dealer to find
out if there’s a club in your area.
At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy
enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share
your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to
learn more about observing the sky, to find out
where the best observing sites are, and to com-
pare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters,
tripods, and so forth.
Often, club members are excellent astrophotog-
raphers. Not only will you be able to see exam-
ples of their art, but you may even be able to
pick up some “tricks of the trade” to try out on
your DS-2000 telescope.
Many groups also hold regularly scheduled Star
Parties at which you can check out and observe
with many different telescopes and other pieces
of astronomical equipment. Magazines such as
Sky & Telescope and Astronomy print schedules
for many popular Star Parties around the United
States and Canada.
NOTE:
DS-2000EC users,
see
APPENDIX E,
page 39, for informa-
tion about your sup-
plied Electronic
Controller. Autostar
information does not
apply.
DS-2000EC users
may obtain the #494
Autostar handbox as
an optional accesso-
ry. See page 40 for
more information.