Meade Tripod LX90-ACF 10 inch User Manual - Page 11

11 NOTE: AutoStar does not require batteries; the telescope's batteries supply power to AutoStar. NOTE: Throughout this manual, you will notice the term "Alt/Az." Alt/Az is frequently used to refer to Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizontal). Alt/Az is just one of many methods used by amateur astronomers to help locate stars in the night sky. TIP: To manually enter the R.A. and Dec. coordinates of an object: Press and hold MODE for two seconds or more. The R.A. and Dec. coordinates display. Press GO TO. "Object Position" and a set of coordinates displays. Then enter the R.A. and Dec. coordinates of any celestial object using Number keys. As soon as the coordinates are entered, AutoStar slews the telescope to the coordinates. Note that the telescope must be initialized for this procedure to operate properly. The AutoStar Computer Controller provides control of virtually every telescope function within a compact handbox. AutoStar has soft-touch keys designed to have a positive feel. The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is backlit with a red LED (Light Emitting Diode) for easy viewing in the dark. The backlit display, key arrangement, and sequential database make AutoStar extremely user friendly. ᕡ 2-Line LCD Display: Provides an interface between AutoStar and the telescope. • Top line: Lists the primary category or menu item. • Bottom line: Contains a menu option or information about an object or subject, depending on which function is being performed. ᕢ ENTER Key: Accesses, in a sequential manner, the next menu or data level in the AutoStar database. See MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR'S MENUS, page 18 and MENU AND MENU OPTION DESCRIPTIONS, page 24. NOTE: If ENTER is pressed for two seconds or more and then released, AutoStar emits a beep and "ENTER to Sync" is displayed. "ENTER to Sync" is relevant only after the telescope has been aligned and is pointing at an object. If the "ENTER to Sync" feature is accessed by mistake, press MODE to return to the previous screen. See HIGH PRECISION, page 29, for more details about this feature. ᕣ MODE Key: Returns to the previous menu or data level in the AutoStar database until the top level, "Select Item" is reached. The MODE key is similar to the ESCAPE key on a computer. NOTE: Pressing MODE while in the "Select Item" level moves AutoStar to the topmost screen: "Select Item: Object". If MODE is pressed and held for two seconds or more, information about the telescope's status displays. When the status displays, press one of the Scroll keys (Pg. 10, Fig. 2, 7) to display the following information: • Right Ascension and Declination (astronomical) coordinates • Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizontal) coordinates • Local Time and Local Sidereal Time (LST) • Timer and Alarm Status • Accessory Port Module (APM) status (see the instructions supplied with the APM) • Date • Site coordinates • Battery status Press MODE again to return to the previous menu. ᕤ GO TO Key: Slews (moves) the telescope to the coordinates of the currently selected object. While the telescope is slewing, the operation may be aborted at any time by pressing any key except GO TO. Pressing GO TO again resumes the slew to the object. ᕥ Arrow Keys: Slew the telescope in a specific direction (up, down, left, and right), at any one of nine different speeds. Speed selection is explained in SLEW SPEEDS, page 17. The following functions are also available with the Arrow keys: • Data entry - Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to scroll through the letters of the alphabet and numerical digits. The Down Arrow key starts with the letter "A" and the Up Arrow key starts with the digit "9" The Left and Right Arrow keys are used to move the blinking cursor left and right across the LCD display. • Moves the telescope - Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to move the telescope vertically up and down. The Left Arrow key rotates the telescope horizontally counterclockwise, while the Right Arrow key rotates it clockwise. ᕦ Number Keys: Input digits 0 - 9 and changes the slew speeds (see SLEW SPEEDS, page 17). The "0" key also turns on and off the red utility light on the top of the handbox.