Astronomical Observing; To Track An Object Automatically; Alt/Az Home Position; Moving Through Autostar's Menus - Meade LX90 Instruction Manual

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, with minor qualification, 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 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 initialize AutoStar, and then 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.

Moving Through AutoStar's Menus

Initialization is a
The AutoStar database is organized in levels for quick and easy navigation.
procedure that
ensures that AutoStar
operates correctly.
When you first use
AutoStar, it doesn't yet
know where the
observation location
site is.
The Arrow keys are also used to move the telescope.
During the procedure,
you will enter
Initializing AutoStar for the First Time
the observation l
This section describes how to initialize AutoStar. Perform this procedure the first time you use
ocation or zip code.
AutoStar or after performing a Reset (see "RESET," page 29).
AutoStar uses this
information, along with
AutoStar will ask you to choose your observing location (or zip code) and your telescope's
the time and date
model number from the list it displays. You will be prompted to enter this information only the
information
first time you use AutoStar. If you wish to change your location information (or if AutoStar
provided by the LNT
does not ask you for this information information the first time that you use it), go to the Site
module, to precisely
option of the Setup Menu to select your location. See page 30 for more information.
calculate the location
of celestial objects
1.
(such as stars and
2.
planets) and to move
your telescope
correctly for various
3.
operations.
4.
Important Tip:
It is recommended
5.
that you train you
telescope's drive the
6.
first time you align
your telescope.
Training the drive
improves your
telescope's pointing
precision.
For more information
about pointing your
telescope, see page
53 for more
information.
7.
8.
• 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.
Tighten the vertical and horizontal locks (6 and 9, Fig. 1) if necessary.
Make sure that AutoStar is connected to the HBX port (C, Fig. 2) and SmartFinder is
connected to an AUX port (D, Fig. 2) of the telescope's computer control panel.
Flip the telescope power switch (A, Fig. 2) to the ON position.
The AutoStar screen displays a copyright message, followed by a short beep. Then
AutoStar takes a few moments to start up the system.
A message displays that warns 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.
The Getting Started menu displays a scrolling message. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2) to bypass
the Help tutorial and continue with initialization.
AutoStar then displays: "Location Option: 1-Zipcode 2-City". This option allows you to
choose how you wish to enter the location of your observing site: You can enter your zip
code or choose the site from a list of countries, states and cities.
Press the number key "1" if you wish to enter by zip code. Then enter the five
digits of the zip code of your observing site and press ENTER.
Press the number key "2" if you wish to select your observing site from a list of country,
states and cities. First, use a Scroll key to cycle through the list of countries and states
(listed alphabetically). Press ENTER when the correct location displays. Next, use a Scroll
key to cycle through the list of cities (also listed alphabetically). Press ENTER when the
closest city displays.
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.
System initialization is complete and the screen reads "Align: Automatic."
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