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Scroll Keys - Accesses database options within a selected menu. The menu is displayed
on the first line of the screen. Options within the menu are displayed, one at a time, on the
second line. Press the Scroll keys to move through the options. Press and hold a Scroll
key to move quickly through the options.
The Scroll keys also scroll through the letters of the alphabet and numerical digits.
NOTE: The Scroll Down key and the Down Arrow key move forward through the
alphabet & digits (A to Z, 0 to 9). The Scroll Up key and the Up Arrow key move
backward (Z to A, 9 to 0). Common symbols are also available in the list.
Speed/? Key - Pressing the Speed/? key cycles through the nine slew speeds that move
the telescope. Each time the Speed/? key is pressed briefly, the current slew speed is
shown for about two seconds on the display. See “SLEW SPEEDS,” page 22.
The Speed/? key also accesses the "Help" file. "Help" provides on-screen information on
how to accomplish whatever task is currently active.
NOTE: Pressing the Speed/? key very briefly changes the slew speed. Holding
down the Speed/? key longer (one to two seconds) accesses the Help function.
Hold down the Speed/? key and then follow the prompts on the display to access details
of Autostar functions in the Help feature. The Help system is essentially an on-screen
instruction manual.
If you have a question about an Autostar operation,
e.g., INITIALIZATION, ALIGNMENT,
etc., hold down the Speed/? key and follow the directions that scroll on the second line of
the LCD screen. When a word appears in [brackets], press ENTER to access the Autostar
Glossary. A definition or more detailed information is displayed. Press MODE to return to
the scrolling Autostar Help display.
When satisfied with the Help provided, press MODE to return to the original screen and
continue with the chosen procedure.
Coil Cord - Plug the Autostar coil
cord into the HBX port (10A, Fig. 1)
of the computer control panel of the
telescope.
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Autostar Features 9
TIPS
FOR BEGINNERS
Join an Astronomy Club
Attend a Star Party
One of the fun ways to learn about astronomy is to
join an astronomy club. Check your local newspa-
per, school, library, or telescope dealer/store 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 compare
notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters, tripods,
and so forth.
Often, club members are excellent astrophotogra-
phers. Not only will you be able to see examples of
their art, but you may even be able to pick up some
“tricks of the trade” to try out on your ETX tele-
scope. See page 23 for more information about
photography with the ETX.
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.