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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.
NOTE:
Throughout this man-
ual, 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 sec-
onds or more. The
R.A. and Dec coordi-
nates 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 coor-
dinates are entered,
Autostar slews the
telescope to the coor-
dinates. Note that the
telescope must be
initialized (see page
17) and placed in the
Home position (see
page 17) for this pro-
cedure to operate
properly.
NOTE: Autostar does not require batteries; the telescope's batteries supply power
to Autostar.
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.
ENTER Key - Accesses, in a sequential manner, the next menu or data level in the
Autostar database. See "MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR'S MENUS," page 17 and
"AUTOSTAR'S MENU AND MENU OPTION DESCRIPTIONS," page 23.
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 27, for more details about this feature.
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 com-
puter.
NOTE: Pressing MODE while in the "Select Item" level moves Autostar to the top-
most screen: "Select Item: Object."
NOTE: If MODE is pressed and held for two seconds or more, information about
the telescope's status is then available using the Scroll keys (7, Fig. 2), such as:
• Right Ascension and Declination (astronomical) coordinates (see page 45)
• Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizontal) coordinates
• Local Time and Local Sidereal Time (LST)
• Timer and Alarm Status
• Accessory Port Module (APM) status. Information concerning these functions are
described on the instruction sheets supplied with the APM.
Press MODE again to return to the previous menu.
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 press-
ing any key except GO TO. Pressing GO TO again resumes the slew to the object.
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 16.
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.
• Alt/Az Alignment - 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.
Number Keys - Input digits 0 - 9 and changes the slew speeds (see "SLEW SPEEDS,"
page 16). The "0" key also turns on and off the red utility light on the top of the handbox.
10
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