Meade LX90-ACF 10 inch User Manual - Page 18

18 Definition: Initialization is a procedure that ensures that AutoStar operates correctly. When you first use AutoStar, it doesn't yet know where the observation location site is or the time or date of the observation session. During the Easy Alignment procedure, the system calculates these parameters automatically. 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. Important Note: Press any key on the AutoStar handbox to abort the GPS fix. Press MODE repeatedly until "Select Item" displays and use the AutoStar menu options to choose a manual alignment or to find an AutoStar option, such as "Brightness". 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 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 more or less centered in the telescope's eyepiece. To automatically track objects, you must first set the telescope up in the home position, then initialize AutoStar, and finally select "Targets: Astronomical" from the AutoStar Setup menu. You must also learn how the AutoStar keypad operates in order to move through the AutoStar menus. Setting the "Alt/Az" Home Position using Magnetic North 1. Loosen the RA lock (Pg.7, Fig. 1, 9) and point the telescope in the direction of Magnetic North. Note: To find magnetic North, place the included bubble level/compass (Pg. 9, Fig. 1a, 20) into the diagonal prism (Pg. 7, Fig. 1, 4) and adjust the horizontal direction of the telescope until it points in the same direction as the colored side of the compass needle. 2. Tighten the RA lock to a firm feel. 3. Loosen the Dec. lock (Pg. 7, Fig. 1, 6) and adjust the vertical position of the telescope to the level position. Note: The bubble/level compass can be used to find the level position by placing the bubble level/compass into the diagonal prism and adjusting the telescope tube until the bubble in the compass is placed inside the painted circle on the compass window. 4. Tighten the Dec. lock to a firm feel. 5. The telescope is now in the Magnetic North Home Position. Setting the "Alt/Az" Home Position using True North 1. Loosen the RA lock (Pg.7, Fig. 1, 9) and point the telescope in the direction of True North. See "Locating the Celestial Pole" on page 50 for more information. 2. Tighten the RA lock to a firm feel. 3. Loosen the Dec. lock (Pg. 7, Fig. 1, 6) and adjust the vertical position of the telescope to the level position. Note: The bubble/level compass can be used to find the level position by placing the bubble level/compass into the diagonal prism and adjusting the telescope tube until the bubble in the compass is placed inside the painted circle on the compass window. 4. Tighten the Dec. lock to a firm feel. The telescope is now in the True North Home Position Moving Through AutoStar's Menus The AutoStar database is organized in levels for quick and easy navigation. • Press ENTER to go deeper into AutoStar's menu levels. • Press MODE to move back toward the top menu level. • Press the Scroll keys to move up and down through the options available for each level. • Press the Arrow keys to enter characters and digits. The Arrow keys are also used to move the telescope. 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). 1. Make sure that the Dec. and R.A. locks (Pg. 7, Fig.1, 6 & 9) are secured as described on page 8. 2. Verify that AutoStar is properly connected to your telescope. See "HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE" page 14. 3. Turn the telescope power switch to the ON position. The AutoStar beeps and the display screen is activated. Then AutoStar takes a few moments