Autostar Features - Meade DS-2090 Instruction Manual

NOTE:
DS-2000EC users,
see ,
APPENDIX E
page 39, for informa-
tion about your sup-
plied Electronic
Controller. Autostar
information does not
apply.
DS-2000EC users
may obtain the #494
Autostar handbox as
an optional accesso-
ry. See page 40 for
more information.

AUTOSTAR FEATURES

The #494 Autostar controls the DS-2000AT Series Telescopes. Nearly all telescope operations
are accomplished with just a few pushes of Autostar's buttons. Some of the major
features of Autostar are:
{
Automatically move the telescope to any of the 1400 objects stored in the database or man-
ually enter the astronomical coordinates of any celestial object.
{
Take a guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the year.
{
Access a glossary of astronomical terms.
{
Calculate which eyepiece to use for optimum viewing of a celestial object.
The Autostar Computer Controller provides control of virtually every telescope operation.
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: Autostar does not require batteries; the telescope's batteries supply power
to Autostar.
2-Line LCD Display - Provides an visual interface between Autostar and the telescope.
• Top line: Displays a menu.
• Bottom line: Displays a menu option or information about an object or subject,
depending on what operation is being performed.
ENTER Key - Selects a choice or accesses the next menu or level. This is similar to a
Return key on a computer. See
MENUS AND MENU OPTIONS
NOTE: If ENTER is pressed and held for two seconds or more and then released,
Autostar emits a beep and "ENTER to Sync" is displayed. "ENTER to Sync" can
only be used after the telescope has been aligned and is pointing at an object. If the
"ENTER to Sync"
accessed by mistake, press MODE
to return to the previous screen. See
, page 27, for more
HIGH PRECISION
details about this feature.
MODE Key - Returns to the previous
menu or level. 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."
NOTE: If MODE is pressed and held
for two seconds or more, the follow-
ing information displays :
• Azimuth and Altitude
(astronomical) coordinates
• Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth
(horizontal) coordinates
• Local Time and Local Sidereal
Time (LST)
• Timer and Alarm Status
Press MODE again to return to the
previous menu.
GO TO Key - Slews (moves) the tele-
scope to a selected object. While the
MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR'S MENUS
, page 22.
feature is
DS-2000 TIPS
Join an Astronomy Club
Attend a Star Party
A fun way to learn more about astronomy is to
join an astronomy club. Check your local news-
paper, school, library, or telescope dealer to find
out if there's a club in your area.
At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy
enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share
your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to
learn more about observing the sky, to find out
where the best observing sites are, and to com-
pare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters,
tripods, and so forth.
Often, club members are excellent astrophotog-
raphers. Not only will you be able to see exam-
ples of their art, but you may even be able to pick
up some "tricks of the trade" to try out on your
DS-2000 telescope.
Many groups also hold regularly scheduled Star
Parties at which you can check out and observe
with many different telescopes and other pieces
of astronomical equipment. Magazines such as
Sky & Telescope and Astronomy print schedules
for many popular Star Parties around the United
States and Canada.
9
, page 16 and