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5. The IN and OUT keys are used in conjunction with the optional Meade #1240 Electric
Focuser. With the #1240 unit attached to the telescope’s focuser, precise focusing of the tel-
escopic image may be accomplished directly from the Electronic Controller. Detailed instruc-
tions are included with the #1240 Electric Focuser.
6. Note that the telescope’s accessory shelf (A-8) includes a holder (A-21) for the Electronic
Controller.
7. When using the #492 System, take care that cords do not become wrapped around the tel-
escope; keep the cords “loose” at all times. Do not allow the telescope to slew into the tripod
or other fixed object. Do not touch or hold the telescope tube while it is moving.
8. If the motors stall or do not have sufficient power to move the telescope, place fresh bat-
teries in the battery pack. Long-life alkaline batteries are recommended.
#493 Autostar Computer Control System: Attached to any Meade DS telescope, the #493
Autostar Computer Control System permits fully automatic motorized location (at 5°/second on
both telescope axes) of more than 1400 celestial objects, including the major planets from
Mercury to Pluto; all 110 deep-space Messier objects; the finest galaxies, diffuse nebulae, plan-
etary nebulae, and star clusters from the New General Catalog (NGC), the Index Catalog (IC),
and the Caldwell catalog; hundreds of stars (double stars, variable stars, SAO stars); 15 peri-
odic comets; 50 earth-orbiting satellites; and more. In addition the Autostar System can per-
form an automatic GO TO function to any object of known celestial coordinates (Right
Ascension and Declination). Enter any of the preceding objects into the Autostar display, press
GO TO, and the telescope moves to the object and places it in the telescopic field of view.
To install the #493 system:
Installation of the #493 system is identical to the procedure described in "To Install the #492
System," page 15, except for step 4c. In this step, the cord from the #493 Autostar Computer
Control System plugs into the HBX (handbox) jack (Fig. W).
Instructions for the operation of the #493 Autostar Computer Control System are included with
the System itself.
Important Note: The first time Autostar initializes, it calibrates the motors. If you remove the
motors after a viewing session, mark one of the motors so that you remember the orientation
of the motors. Use the same orientation in subsequent observing sessions; otherwise Autostar
detects what appears to be a motor failure. If this occurs and a motor failure message is dis-
played, the motors have to be recalibrated.
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