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Brightness Adj: Adjusts the brightness of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press
ENTER.
Contrast Adj: Adjusts the contrast of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press
ENTER.
NOTE: This feature is usually only required in very cold weather.
Landmark Survey automatically slews the telescope to all user-defined landmarks with a short
pause at each location. Press ENTER to start the survey. While a slew is in progress, press
any key to skip that object and go to the next landmark on the list. To observe a landmark for
a longer period, press MODE when paused on the object to stop the survey. Press ENTER to
restart the survey at the first object on the list. See "Landmark," page 16.
Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts down Autostar and the telescope without for-
getting its alignment. With "Sleep Scope" selected, press ENTER to activate the Sleep func-
tion. Autostar goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running. Press any key, except ENTER,
to re-activate Autostar and the telescope.
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 tele-
scope to move to its pre-determined Park position. Once parked, the screen prompts to turn off
power.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When the "Park Scope" option is chosen and the display
prompts you to turn off the telescope's power, Autostar is unable to be returned to
operation without turning the power off and then back on.
Setup
Menu
The Setup menu’s primary function is to align the telescope (see pages 14 and 21). However,
there are numerous other features available within the Setup menu, including:
Date changes the date used by Autostar. This function is useful to check events in the past or
future. For example, set the Date menu for a day three months in the future. Then check the
"Select Item: Event" menu for the Sunset
time on that date. See “EVENT MENU,”
page 17.
Time changes the time entered into
Autostar. Setting the correct time is criti-
cal for Autostar to properly calculate
locations and events. Time may be set to
24-hour mode (military time) by selecting
the "blank" option which follows the "AM"
and "PM" options.
Daylight Saving is used to enable or
disable Daylight Savings time.
NOTE: Daylight Savings Time may
be referred to by different names in
various areas of the world. Check
local time to verify.
Telescope accesses the several
options, including:
•
Telescope Model: Selects the
model of telescope connected to
Autostar.
•
Focal Length: Displays the focal
length of the selected telescope.
•
Az Ratio and Alt Ratio: The Az
(Azimuth) ratio and Alt (Altitude)
ratio refers to the gears of the tele-
scope's motors. Do not alter these
numbers.
•
Mount: Choose between Alt/Az
mount or Polar Mount. Mount requires
that the telescope be physically
aligned to the mount selected in this
menu. The default setting is "Alt/Az."
TIPS
FOR BEGINNERS
Surf the Web
One of the most exciting resources for astronomy is
the internet. The internet is full of websites with new
images, discoveries, and the latest astronomical
information. For example, when comet Hale-Bopp
made its approach to our Sun in 1998, astronomers
around the world posted new photos daily.
You can find websites for almost any topic relating
to astronomy on the internet. Try the following key
word searches: NASA, Hubble, HST, astronomy,
Messier, satellite, nebula, black hole, variable stars,
etc.
Check out Meade’s website for the latest product
and technical information. You can download the
latest software revisions, links to other astronomi-
cal sites, coordinates of celestial objects and the
latest satellite tracking information for your #494
Autostar handset. See page 20 for more informa-
tion. You’ll find our website at:
http://www.meade.com/
Here are some other sites you might find interesting:
• Sky & Telescope:
http://www.skypub.com/
• Astronomy:
http://www2.astronomy.com/astro/
• The Starfield:
http://users.nac.net/gburke/
• Astronomy Picture of the Day:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.goc/apod/
• Heaven’s Above (satellite observing information):
http://www.heavens-above.com/
Autostar Menus 19