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Definition:
Initialization is a
procedure that makes sure
that Autostar operates
correctly. When you first
use Autostar, it doesn't yet
know where the observa-
tion location site is or the
time or date of the
observation session.
During the
alignment
procedure, you will enter
time, date and observing
location
Autostar Uses this
information to precisely
calculate the location of
celestial objects (such as
stars and planets) and to
move your telescope
correctly for various
operations.
Tip:
When multiple choices are
available within an Autostar
Menu option, the current
option is usually displayed
first and highlighted by a
right pointing arrow (>).
Initializing Autostar
This section describes how to initialize Autostar. Perform this procedure the first time
you use Autostar or after performing a Reset (see
RESET, page 30). Autostar will ask
you to enter the current time and date and to choose your observing location and your
telescope’s model number from the list it displays.
1. Tighten the vertical and horizontal locks (
6 and 9, Fig. 1) if necessary.
2. Make sure that Autostar is connected to the HBX port (
C, Fig. 2) of the
telescope’s computer control panel.
3. Flip the telescope power switch (
A, Fig. 2) to the ON position.
The Autostar screen displays a copyright message, followed by a short beep.
Then Autostar takes a few moments to start up the system.
4. 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. The Getting Started menu displays a scrolling message. Press ENTER (
2, Fig.
4
) to bypass the Help tutorial and continue with initialization.
6. Autostar then requests the current date. Use the Number keys (
6, Fig. 4) to enter
the digits for the date. Use the Arrow keys (
5, Fig. 4) to move back and forth from
one number to the next in the day display. Next, use the Right Arrow key to move
to the month position. Use the Scroll keys (
7, Fig. 4) to cycle through the list of
months.
When the
current month is displayed, use the Right Arrow to move to the year
position. Use the Number keys to enter all four digits of the current year. Press
ENTER when the entire date has been entered.
7. Autostar then requests the current time. Use the Number keys to enter the time.
(Use a "0" for the first digit if it is less than 10.
) Use the Arrow keys to move from
one number to the next. Press one of the Arrow keys to scroll to "AM" or "PM." If
you select the "blank" choice that follows "AM" and "PM," the clock displays time
in a 24-hour (military time) format. Press ENTER to start the clock.
8. Autostar then requests the status of Daylight Savings Time. Press a Scroll key to
toggle between the YES/NO settings. Select the desired setting by pressing
ENTER when the correct setting displays.
Note: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by a different name in
various areas of the world.
9. Autostar then requests the country or state (listed alphabetically) of the
observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of countries,
states and provinces. Press ENTER when the correct location displays.
10. Autostar then requests the city (listed alphabetically) closest to the observing
site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of cities. Press ENTER
when the closest city displays.
11. Autostar then requests the telescope model number. Use the Scroll keys to cycle
through the database of models. Press ENTER when your model number dis-
plays.
12. System initialization is complete and the screen reads "Setup: Align."
Easy (Two-Star) Align
The fastest and easiest way to locate celestial objects is to use the alt/az Easy Align.
Autostar is in the alt/az mode when you first power it on, so you do not need to select
this mode, unless you have changed this setting in the Telescope/Mount menu. If you
wish to align your telescope in the equatorial (polar) mode, see
EQUATORIAL
ALIGNMENT, page 51.
Autostar automatically picks two stars from its database for the Easy Align procedure.
During this procedure, Autostar moves the telescope to a first alignment star and the
user is asked to center the star in the eyepiece. The process is then repeated with a
second star to complete the alignment.
Important Note:
Autostar requests the
Country/State, City and
Telescope Model
information
only the first
time Autostar is activated.
Subsequently, Autostar
uses the location and
model number you have
chosen.
If you wish to change this
information, use the
"Telescope Model" and
"Site" options in the Setup
menu. See pages 28, 29
and 31 for more informa-
tion.