Initializing Autostar - Meade DS-2000-LNT Instruction Manual

Fig. 17: Altitude lock and
setting circle.
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 .
Time and Date informa-
tion is set at the factory
(and do not need to be
entered by the observ-
er). This information is
held by a long-life bat-
tery. See ,
APPENDIX E
page 39, for more infor-
mation.
During the procedure,
you will enter the obser-
vation location. Autostar
uses location, plus time
and date information to
precisely calculate the
location of celestial
objects (such as stars
and planets) and to
move your telescope
correctly for various
Autostar operations.

Initializing Autostar

This section describes how to initialize Autostar. Perform this procedure the first time you use
Autostar or after performing a RESET (see
Tighten Locks: Tighten the Altitude lock (10, Fig. 1) and tripod base lock knob (26, Fig.
1.
1).
2. Plug in Autostar: Make sure the telescope power switch is in the OFF position. Plug
Autostar into the HBX port of the Control Panel.
Turn on Autostar: Flip the telescope power switch to the ON position.
3.
4. Sun Warning: A message displays that warns you not to look at the Sun. At the end of this
message, press the key prompted by Autostar to signify that the message has been read
and understood.
Bypass Getting Started: The Getting Started menu displays a scrolling message. Press
5.
ENTER (2, Fig. 2) to bypass the Help tutorial.
6. Daylight Savings Time: The next screen requests the status of Daylight Savings Time.
Press one of the Scroll keys to toggle between the YES/NO settings. When the desired set-
ting displays, press ENTER.
When multiple choices are available within a menu option, the current option
NOTE:
is usually displayed first and highlighted by a right pointing Arrow (>).
7. 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
the city and state or country of your observing location). Press Up to select the zip code
option or down to enter the city and state.
Note: The location settings (country/state/province and city, or zip code) are only
asked for the first time you turn on the control panel. If you wish to change this set-
ting later on, use the Site menu. See
a. If you chose the zip code option, the leftmost "0" is highlighted. Use the Scroll keys to scroll
through the digits. When you reach the desired number, use the Right Arrow key to move
to the next digit position. Repeat this process until all 5 digits of your zip code are entered.
Press ENTER.
b. If you chose the location option, the next screen asks for the country or state/province (list-
ed alphabetically) of the observing site.
Use the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of countries, states, and provinces. Press
ENTER when the correct location displays.
The next screen asks for the city (listed alphabetically) closest to the observing site. Use
the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of cities. Press ENTER when the correct city
appears on screen.
8. AutoStar then requests the telescope model number. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through
the database of models. Press ENTER when your model number displays.
9. System initialization is complete. The Easy Alignment feature begins automatically after
the control panel is initialized.
Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature
In this example, the Autostar Arrow keys are used to find a star, and then Autostar's tracking
capability automatically keeps the star centered in your telescope's eyepiece.
1. Set in Home Position: Level the optical tube and point it North. Make sure that the Altitude Lock
(9, Fig. 1) and tripod base lock knob (26, Fig. 1) are secured as described previously.
Plug in Autostar: Make sure the telescope power switch is in the OFF position. Plug
2.
Autostar into the HBX port of the Control Panel.
3. Turn on Autostar: Flip the telescope power switch to the ON position.
Sun Warning: A message displays that warns not to look at the Sun. At the end of this mes-
4.
sage, press the key prompted by Autostar to signify that the message has been read and
understood.
5. Select Daylight Savings: Set Daylight Savings, if prompted.
Select Setup: Align Option: Press MODE (2, Fig. 2). "Setup: Align" displays.
6.
, page 28).
RESET
, page 28, for more information.
SITE
17