Meade 16 inch Instruction Manual - Page 18

Definition: Initialization is a procedure that ensures that Autostar II operates correctly. When you first use Autostar II, it doesn't yet know where the observation location site is or the time or date of the observation session. During the automatic alignment procedure, the system calculates these parameters automatically. Autostar II 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 II menu option, the current option is usually displayed first and highlighted by a right pointing arrow (>). Note: Press any key on the Autostar II handbox to abort the GPS fix. If aborted, Autostar II then displays "Enter Date." You may follow prompts to perform a manual alt/az alignment (see page 37) or press MODE repeatedly until "Select Item" displays to use the Autostar II menu options. 18 Observe the Moon Point your telescope at the Moon (note that the Moon is not visible every night) and practice using the Arrow keys, the microfocuser and the slew speeds to view different features. The Moon contains many interesting features, including craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines. The best time to view the Moon is during its crescent or half phase. Sunlight strikes the Moon at an angle during these periods and adds a depth to the view. No shadows are seen during a full Moon, making the overly bright surface to appear flat and rather uninteresting. Consider the use of a neutral density Moon filter when observing the Moon. See page 42. Not only does it cut down the Moon's bright glare, but it also enhances contrast, providing a more dramatic image. Astronomical Observing Used as an astronomical instrument, your telescope has many optical and electromechanical capabilities. It is in astronomical applications where the high level of optical performance is readily visible. The range of observable astronomical objects is limited only by the observer's motivation. To Track an Object Automatically As the Earth rotates beneath the night sky, the stars appear to move from East to West. The speed at which the stars move is called the sidereal rate. You can setup your telescope to move at the sidereal rate so that it automatically tracks (follows) the stars and other objects in the night sky. If the telescope is not tracking an astronomical object, the object will drift out of the eyepiece field of view. The tracking function automatically keeps an object centered in the telescope's eyepiece. To automatically track objects, you need to learn how the Autostar II keypad operates in order to move through its menus. You'll need to initialize and align your telescope. Moving Through Autostar II's Menus The Autostar II database is organized in levels for quick and easy navigation. s Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2) to go deeper into Autostar II's menu levels. s Press MODE (3, Fig. 2) to move back toward the top menu level. s Press the Scroll keys (7, Fig. 2) to move up and down through the options available for each level. s Press the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to enter characters and digits. The Arrow keys are also used to move the telescope. s Use the Number keys to enter digits. Automatic Alignment Feature Autostar II offers four methods of altazimuth (alt/az) alignment; this section describes how to initialize and align your telescope using Automatic Alignment. (For a description of the other alt/az alignment methods, see pages 37 and 38. For information about equatorial (polar) alignment, see APPENDIX A, page 50.) To prepare your telescope for Automatic Alignment: 1. Tighten the R.A. and Dec. locks (12 and 17, Fig. 1). 2. Verify that Autostar II is properly connected to your telescope. See HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE, page 13. 3. Flip the telescope power switch to the ON position. The Autostar II screen is activated and a copyright message displays briefly, followed by a short beep. Then Autostar II takes a few moments to start up the system. 4. Autostar II initializes the Smart Drive if "On" has been previously chosen from both the R.A. and Dec. PEC menus in the "Setup: Telescope" menu (the very first time the system is turned on, the Smart Drive feature will not be enabled). Once "On" is chosen, Autostar remembers the setting until "Off" is chosen again. If "On" has been selected, the R.A. and Dec. motors operate briefly and "Initializing: Smart Drive" displays.