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Identify: An exciting feature for an observer who wants to scan the night sky and start
exploring. After the telescope has been properly aligned, use the AutoStar II Arrow
keys to move about in the sky. Then follow this procedure:
Important Note: Only use the Arrow keys to move the telescope during
the Identify procedure. Do not loosen the telescope locks or move the
base or alignment is lost.
1. When a desired object is visible in the eyepiece, keep pressing MODE until the
“Select Item: Object” menu is displayed. Press ENTER to select this menu.
2. Scroll through the Object menu options until the “Object: Identify” screen
appears.
3. Press ENTER. AutoStar II searches the libraries for the identity of the object
being observed.
4. If the telescope is not directly on an AutoStar II library object, the nearest library
object is located and displayed on the screen. Press GO TO and the telescope
slews to that object.
Browse: Allows you to search the library for objects with certain parameters, much
like a search engine. “Edit Parameters” lets you set various parameters for the search,
such as: Object Type, Minimum Elevation, Largest,
etc
. Once you have set the
parameters of the search, select “Start Search” and press ENTER. AutoStar II will
display the results of the search.
Event Menu
The Event menu provides access to dates and times of astronomical events. The
Event database includes:
Sunrise, Sun Transit, and Sunset: Calculate the time of Sun rise, Sun transit, or Sun
set on the current date. Find rise and set times for other dates by entering a new date
into the “Setup: Date” menu.
Moonrise, Moon Transit, and Moonset: Calculate the time of Moon rise, Moon
transit, or Moon set on the current date. Find rise and set times for other dates
by entering a new date into the “Setup: Date” menu.
Moon Phases: Displays the date and time of the next Full, New, 1st Quarter, and 3rd
Quarter Moon.
Meteor Showers: Provides information
on upcoming meteor showers, such as
the Perseids, the Leonids,
etc.
Also lists the dates of the showers and when they
reach maximum.
Note: Meteors are fast moving objects that cover large areas of the sky and
are usually best observed with the naked eye.
Solar Eclipse: Lists upcoming Solar Eclipses, including the date and type (total,
annular, or partial) of eclipse. Use the Scroll Up and Down keys to display the
available data. Remember, never use a telescope to look at the Sun! See
WARNING!
to the left.
Lunar Eclipse: Lists upcoming Lunar Eclipses, including the date and type (total, partial,
penumbral) of eclipse. Use the Scroll Up and Down keys to display the available data.
Min. (Minimum) of Algol: Displays the minimum brightness of the dramatic eclipsing
binary star system, Algol. It is relatively close at a distance of 100 light years. Every
2.8 days during a 10-hour period, Algol undergoes a major change in apparent
magnitude as one of the two stars passes behind the other. The combined magnitude
of the two stars thus dips from +2.1 to a minimum of +3.4 halfway through the eclipse
as the second star is hidden. AutoStar II calculates minimum magnitude time at
mid-eclipse.
Autumn and Vernal Equinox: Calculate the time and date of the fall or spring
equinox of the current year.
Winter and Summer Solstice: Calculate the time and date of the winter or summer
solstice of the current year.
WARNING!
Never use your
Meade
®
LX200-
ACF Telescope
to look at the Sun!
Looking at or near the Sun
will cause instant and
irreversible damage to
your eye. Eye damage is
often painless, so there is
no warning to the
observer that damage has
occurred until it is too late.
Do not point the telescope
or its viewfinder at or near
the Sun. Do not look
through the telescope or
its viewfinder as it is
moving.
Children should
always have adult
supervision while
observing.
Want to learn more about
using the Browse menu?
See page 37.
Want to learn more about
using the Date menu?
See the
LX200-ACF TIPS
box page 24.
Definition:
Transit is the time when
the Sun, Moon, or other
celestial object crosses an
observer’s meridian, i.e.,
the time when an object is
at its highest point in the
sky on any given date.
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