Meade NG 102mm User Manual - Page 19

NOTE: Do not look through the telescope's eyepiece or viewfinder while it is rapidly moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing. TIP: When a message is scrolling across the display, press and hold the Up scrolling key to increase the scrolling speed or press and hold the Down scrolling key to decrease the scrolling speed. Observe the Moon Point your telescope at the Moon (note that the Moon is not visible every night) and practice using the Arrow keys 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, causing the overly bright surface to appear flat and rather uninteresting. Consider the use of a neutral density Moon filter when observing the Moon. 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. 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. In other words, 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 track objects, you must first set the telescope in the home position, then initialize AudioStar, and finally select "Targets: Astronomical" from the AudioStar Setup menu. You must also learn how the AudioStar keypad operates in order to move through the AudioStar menus. The "Alt/Az" Home Position 1. Loosen the telescope's Altitude lock (see Fig. 17). 2. Level the optical tube with the horizon: Line up 0° on the Altitude setting circle (Fig. 16) with the triangular pointer. 3. Tighten the Altitude lock (Fig. 17) to a firm feel only. 4. Loosen the tripod base lock knob (17, Fig. 1 or 2). 5. Move the tube until the tube points North. Use a compass or line it up with Polaris, the North star. 6. Tighten the tripod base lock knob (17, Fig. 1 or 2) to a firm feel. Press ENTER on the AudioStar handbox. Moving Through AudioStar's Menus AudioStar's menus are organized for quick and easy navigation. • Press ENTER to go deeper into AudioStar's menu levels. • Press MODE to move back toward the top menu level. • Press the Scroll keys to move 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 AudioStar This section describes how to initialize AudioStar. Perform this procedure the first time you use AudioStar or after performing a RESET (see RESET, page 30). 1. Tighten Locks: Tighten the Altitude lock (10F, Fig. 1 or 2 b) and tripod base lock knob (17, Fig. 1 or 2). 2. Plug in AudioStar: Make sure the telescope power switch is in the OFF position. Plug AudioStar into the HBX port of the Control Panel. 3. Turn on AudioStar: Flip the telescope power switch to the ON position. 4. ­Set Your Location or Zip Code: The Location screen displays. This screen asks you if you wish to choose either the zip code of your observing location or the location (i.e.,entering Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving. 19