Meade Instruments LX600 - Manual (Page 20)

AutoStar #497 HANDBOX
Obser
ving
20
Observing Using AutoStar II’s
Arrow Keys
You may observe land and astronomical objects using
AutoStar II’s Arrow keys to move the telescope.
1. Tighten the RA and DEC locks (Fig. 1, 12
and 17).
2. Verify that AutoStar II is properly connected to
your telescope. See Quick Start, page 6.
3. Flip the telescope power switch to the ON
position.
The AutoStar II screen is activated and a
copyright message displays briefl y, followed
by a short beep. Then AutoStar II takes a few
moments to start up the system.
4. After the Autostar II has fi nished startup, "Press
Mode for Menu or 0 to Align displays". Press
Mode.
5. Press the Mode key several times until Setup
Item: Object displays.
6. The Arrow keys are now activated. Press the
Arrow keys (Pg. 14, Fig. 2, 5) to slew (move) the
telescope up, down, right, or left.
7. Press the Speed key (Number key “1”) and
then a Number key (Fig. 2, 6) to change the
telescope’s slew speed (“1” is the slowest speed,
“9” is highest speed).
8. Use the viewfi nder (Fig. 1 , 22) to locate an
object and practice using the AutoStar II’s Arrow
keys to center the object in the telescope’s fi eld
of view.
Warning: Do not look through the telescope’s
eyepiece or viewfi nder while it is rapidly
moving. Children should always have adult
supervision while observing.
Slew Speeds
AutoStar II has nine slew speeds that move the optical tube at
rates that are directly proportional to the sidereal rate and have
been calculated to accomplish specifi c functions. Press the
Speed key (Number key “1”) and then press a Number key to
change the slew speed, which is shown for about two seconds
on AutoStar II’s display.
The nine available speeds are:
Number Key 1= 1x = Guide Rate, programmable
Number Key 2= 2x = 2 x sidereal (0.5 arc-min/sec
or 0.008°/sec)
Number Key 3= 8x = 8 x sidereal (2 arc-min/sec
or 0.033°/sec)
Number Key 4= 16x = 16 x sidereal (4 arc-min/sec
or 0.067°/sec)
Number Key 5= 64x = 64 x sidereal (16 arc-min/sec
or 0.27°/sec)
Number Key 6= 128x = 30 arc-min/sec or 0.5°/sec
Number Key 7= 1.5° = 90 arc-min/sec or 1.5°/sec
Number Key 8= 3° = 180 arc-min/sec or 3°/sec
Number Key 9= Max = 480 arc-min/sec or 8°/sec)
Speeds 1, 2, or 3: Best used for fi ne centering of an object in
the fi eld of view of a higher power eyepiece, such as a 12mm or
a 9mm eyepiece.
Speeds 4, 5, or 6: Enable centering of an object in the fi eld of
a low-to-moderate power eyepiece, such as the standard Super
Plössl 26mm.
Speeds 7 or 8: Best used for rough centering of an object in the
viewfi nder.
Speed 9: Moves the telescope quickly from one point in the sky
to another.
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
fi eld 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 will need
to initialize and align your telescope.
OBSERVIING