User guide

Glossary Menu
The Glossary menu provides an alphabetical listing of definitions and descriptions for
common astronomical terms and AutoStar II functions. Access directly through the
Glossary menu or through hypertext words embedded in AutoStar II. A hypertext word
is any word in [brackets], usually found when using the AutoStar II Help function or
when reading a scrolling message such as a description of a planet or star. Press
ENTER whenever a hypertext word is on screen and AutoStar II goes to the glossary
entry for that word.
To access directly from within the Glossary menu, use the Scroll keys to scroll through
the alphabet. Press ENTER on the desired letter. Scroll to the desired entry and then
press ENTER to read the description.
Utilities Menu
The Utilities menu provides access to several extra features within AutoStar II,
including a countdown timer and an alarm. The Utilities functions include:
Timer: Selects a countdown timer. This feature is useful for functions such as
astrophotography and tracking satellites. To use the Timer, press ENTER, then
choose “Set” or “Start/Stop”.
W
Set: Enter time to be counted down, in hours, minutes, and seconds. Press ENTER.
W
S t a r t / S t o p: Activates the timer set previously. Use the Scroll keys to toggle
between ON and OFF. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to activate the timer.
When the timer runs out, four beeps sound and the timer is deactivated.
Alarm: Selects a time for an alarm signal to sound as a reminder. To use the Alarm,
press ENTER, then choose “Set” or “Start/Stop”.
W
Set: Enter the time of day for the alarm to sound, in hours, minutes, and seconds,
then press ENTER.
W
Start/Stop: Activates the alarm set previously. Use the Scroll keys to toggle
between ON and OFF. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to activate
the alarm. When the alarm time arrives, AutoStar II beeps. Press ENTER
to deactivate the alarm.
Eyepiece Calc: Calculates information about an eyepiece for the specific telescope
to which AutoStar II is connected.
W
Field of View: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is
selected, the field of view is calculated.
W
Magnification: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is
selected, the magnification is calculated.
W
Suggest: AutoStar II calculates and suggests the best eyepiece for viewing,
based on the telescope and the object being viewed.
Brightest Star: If turned on, displays the phrase “Center Brightest Star” instead of the
name of the alignment star during the alignment procedure. If turned off, will display
the actual name of the alignment star ( e.g., “Sirius”).
Brightness Adj: Adjusts the brightness of the display using the Scroll keys. When
complete, press ENTER.
Contrast Adj: Adjusts the contrast of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete,
press ENTER.
Panel Light: Allows you to turn off LED panel light.
Aux Port Power: Allows you turn off and on the 12vDC OUT power port.
Beep: Turns the beep alerts on or off.
Temperature: Gives a temperature reading of the ambient air. Reading isn’t always available.
Landmark Survey: Automatically slews the telescope to all user-defined landmarks
with a short pause at each location. Press ENTER to start the survey. While a slew is
in progress, press any key to skip that object and go to the next landmark on the list.
To observe a landmark for a longer period, press MODE when paused on the object
to stop the survey. Press ENTER to restart the survey at the first object on the list.
Tip:
The Contrast Adjustment
feature is usually only
required in very cold
weather.
If you adjust the contrast
so that you can no longer
read the display, turn off
the power and turn it on
again. When Version
appears on the display
(the initial display
screens are not affected
by the Contrast control),
press MODE.
Want to learn more about
Landmarks? See page 35.
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