Meade ETX80 Instruction Manual - Page 26

Date changes the date used by Autostar. This function is useful to check events in the past or future. For example, set the Date menu for a day three months in the future. Then check the "Select Item: Event" menu for the Sunset time on that date. See EVENT MENU, page 24. Time changes the time entered into Autostar. Setting the correct time is critical for Autostar to properly calculate locations and events. Time may be set to 24-hour mode (military time) by selecting the "blank" option which follows the "AM" and "PM" options. Daylight Saving is used to enable or disable Daylight Savings time. NOTE: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by different names in various areas of the world. Check local time to verify. Telescope accesses the several options, including: { Model: Allows you to select the telescope model connected to Autostar. { Focal Length: Displays the focal length of the selected telescope. { Az Ratio and Alt Ratio: The Az (Azimuth) ratio and Alt (Altitude) ratio refers to the gears of the telescope's motors. Do not alter these numbers. { Az Percent: The Az (Azimuth) Percent allows you to change the azimuth backlash, i.e., the way the Arrow keys move the telescope along the azimuth (horizontal) axis. If you enter a value near 100, the telescope tube responds more quickly (it responds immediately at 100%) as you hold down an Arrow key and also slews (moves) the tube more quickly. If you enter a value near 0, it takes longer for the tube to respond as you hold down an Arrow key and also slews the tube more slowly. Experiment with this option. Try changing the percent value until you get a "feel" for the Arrow keys that is comfortable for you. Alt Percent: The Alt (Altitude) Percent operates identical to the AZ Percent option (see above), but allows you to change the altitude backlash, i.e., the way the Arrow keys move the telescope when moving along the altitude (vertical) axis. { Train Drive: Trains the Altitude and Azimuth motors to locate objects with more precision. If you are experiencing any problems with pointing accuracy, follow the procedure described in APPENDIX D: TRAINING THE DRIVE, page 40, to insure accurate pointing and tracking. TIPS FOR BEGINNERS Surf the Web One of the most exciting resources for astronomy is the internet. The internet is full of websites with new images, discoveries, and the latest astronomical information. For example, when comet Hale-Bopp made its approach to our Sun in 1998, astronomers around the world posted new photos daily. { Tracking Rate: Changes the speed at which the telescope tracks targets in the sky. a. Sidereal: The default setting for Autostar; sidereal rate is the standard rate at which stars move from East to West across the sky due to the rotation of the Earth. b. Lunar: Choose this option to properly track the Moon over long observing sessions. You can find websites for almost any topic relating to astronomy on the internet. Try the following key word searches: NASA, Hubble, HST, astronomy, Messier, satellite, nebula, black hole, variable stars, etc. Check out Meade's website for the latest product and technical information. You can download the latest software revisions, links to other astronomical sites, coordinates of celestial objects and the latest satellite tracking information for your #494 AutoStar handbox. See page 29 for more information. You'll find our website at: http://www.meade.com/ c. Custom: Allows entry of userdefined tracking rates. { Reverse L/R: Reverses the functions of the Left and Right Arrow keys (i.e., the Right key moves the telescope to the left). { Reverse UP/DOWN: Reverses the functions of the Up and Down Arrow keys (i.e., the Up key moves the telescope down). Here are some other sites you might find interesting: • Sky & Telescope: http://www.skypub.com/ • Astronomy: http://www2.astronomy.com/astro/ • The Starfield: http://users.nac.net/gburke/ • Astronomy Picture of the Day: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.goc/apod/ • Heaven's Above (satellite observing information): http://www.heavens-above.com/ 26