Instruction manual

INDEX
AutoStar #497 HANDBOX
20
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.
 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 10.
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 29, 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 computer.
Note: Pressing MODE while in the “Select Item”
level moves AutoStar to the topmost screen:
“Select Item: Object”.
If MODE is pressed and held for two seconds or
more, information about the telescope’s status
displays. When the status displays, press one of
the Scroll keys (Pg. 19, Fig. 5, 7) to display the
following information:
• Right Ascension and Declination (astronomical)
coordinates
• Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizontal)
coordinates
• Date
• Site coordinates
• Local Time and Local Sidereal Time (LST)
• Timer and Alarm Status
• Battery status
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 pressing any key except
GO TO. Pressing GO TO again resumes the slew
to the object.
 Arrow Keys: Slew the telescope in a specifi c
direction (up, down, left, and right), at any one
of nine different speeds. Speed selection is
explained in “SLEW SPEEDS”, below. The
following functions are also available with the
Arrow keys:
• Moves the telescope – 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.
• Data entry – When the scope is prompting
for user entered data, 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.
 Number Keys: Input digits 0 - 9 and changes the
slew speeds (see Slew Speeds, see below). The
“0” key also turns on and off the red utility light on
the top of the handbox.
Slew Speeds
LT Series has nine slew speeds that are directly
proportional to the sidereal rate (the rate at
which stars appear to drift across the sky)
and have been calculated to accomplish
specifi c functions. Pressing a Number key
changes the slew speed, which is shown for
about two seconds on AutoStar’s display.
To change the speed, press the
AUTOSTAR #497 HANDBOX
20