Operating Instructions

#506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit
For use with the Meade #494 AutoStar Computer Controller
The #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit provides access to two #494 AutoStar operations: Telescope Control: Use a personal computer (PC) to directly control a Meade #494 AutoStar-compatible telescope through the use of an astronomical software program with telescope control capabilities such as Meade AutoStar Suite Software. Download from a PC: Download a new version of the #494 AutoStar software or object information (e.g., new satellite orbital parameters) from the Meade web site (www.meade.com) through a PC to the #494 AutoStar. 7. Baud Rate Data Bits Parity Stop bit Flow Control None 1 None
Complete telescope alignment as detailed in your instruction manual.
Follow the instructions provided with the software to control your telescope. NOTE: The AutoStar GO TO function is still active when connected to an astronomical software program, allowing control either from the PC or AutoStar.

PARTS LIST

The #506 Cable Connector Kit includes the following: 6-foot, 4-pin to 6-pin cable with integrated AUX-to-serial converter 6-pin to RS-232 serial interface adapter AstroFinder software (CD-Rom)

DOWNLOAD FROM A PC

To download software or object information from a PC to AutoStar, follow this procedure: NOTE: Downloading information is a two-step process: First, information is downloaded from a website to your PC; second, information is downloaded from the PC to AutoStar.

TELESCOPE CONTROL

A powerful feature of AutoStar is that it serves as an interface between an astronomical software program, such as Meade AutoStar Suite Software. To use this function, complete the following procedure: 1. 2. 3. Verify that telescope and computer power are OFF. Connect the serial interface adapter (1, Fig. 1) to the RS232 port on your PC. Connect the 6-pin end of the 6-foot cable (2, Fig. 1) to the serial interface adapter, then connect the 4-pin end to the AUX port at the base of the telescope mount (5, Fig. 1). Connect the #494 AutoStar to the HBX port (4, Fig. 1) on the telescope computer control panel. 1. 2.
Download from the website to the PC
1. From your PC, connect to the Meade website (www.meade.com) to download an AutoStar file or files (i.e., new software, orbital elements, etc.). Follow the instructions from your web browser (i.e., Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.) on how to download a file from the Internet to the PC. Once downloaded, the data reside in a PC desktop program titled AUTOSTAR UPDATE (a READ ME file is also attached). Complete steps 1 through 6 of TELESCOPE CONTROL detailed earlier in this instruction sheet, then return to this procedure. Open the AUTOSTAR UPDATE program on the PC. NOTE: Not all files downloaded from the website to the PC have to be transferred to AutoStar (i.e., software and orbital data may be downloaded to the PC, but you may choose to update the software now and the orbital data at a later time). 3. 4. Within the AUTOSTAR UPDATE program, select the file or files you wish to transfer and follow the instructions provided in the READ ME file. When downloading is complete, AutoStar beeps and the initialization sequence begins. When complete, turn off the telescopes power and disconnect the cables.
Download from the PC to AutoStar
AutoStar downloading from a PC is now complete. If you have a question concerning use of the #506 Cable Connector Kit, call the Meade Instruments Customer Service Department at (949) 451-1450, or fax to (949) 451-1460. Customer Service hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Fig. 1: The #506 Connector Cable Set connects between a PC and #494 AutoStar for telescope computer control or download capabilities. (1) Serial Interface Adapter; (2) 6-Foot Cable; (3) #494 AutoStar; (4) Handbox (HBX) port on the telescopes computer control panel; (5) AUX port; (6) CPU.

Apply power to the telescope and computer, then complete basic AutoStar initialization as detailed in the AutoStar instruction manual. Be sure that the computer Com Port is configured to the following specifications:

(800) 626-3233

www.meade.com

Ver. 0805

Part no. 14-4020-06

Instruction Manual

Autostar #494 Computer Controller
Meade Instruments Corporation

QUICK START GUIDE

WARNING: Never use Autostar to move a telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye damage is often painless, so there is no warning to the observer that damage has occurred until it is too late. Do not point a telescope or its viewfinder at or near the Sun. Do not look through a telescope or its viewfinder as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing. To connect Autostar to your telescope: Remove the telescope from its packaging. Attach the viewfinder (if necessary) and insert an eyepiece into the telescope focuser. See your telescope instruction manual for detailed assembly information. Tighten the telescopes vertical and horizontal locks. Plug Autostars coil cord into the computer control panel Handbox (HBX) port (Fig. 1). Make sure the telescope's motor assemblies are plugged into the proper ports. Plug the power cord into the 12V connector (Fig. 1). A warning not to look at the Sun then scrolls across the Autostar display. Press the key prompted by Autostar to indicate you have read and understood the message. Press the ENTER key (2, Fig. 3) repeatedly until "Country/State" appears on the Autostar display. (Ignore the prompts for the time, date, and daylight saving. These functions will be covered later in this manual.)

COMPUTER CONTROL

HBX AZ ALT AUX WARNING LOOKING AT OR NEAR
Fig. 1: DS computer control panel 12v and HBX connector ports.
Fig. 2: Sun Warning on the Autostar LCD display.
Use the Scroll keys (6 and 7, Fig. 3) to cycle through the list of countries, states, and provinces. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 3) when the desired location appears on the Autostar display. Autostar then prompts you to enter the city nearest to the observing site. Use the Scroll keys (6 and 7, Fig. 3) to cycle through the list of cities. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 3) when the desired city appears on the display. Autostar then prompts you to enter your telescope model. Use the Scroll keys (6 and 7, Fig. 3) to cycle through the list of models. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 3) when your telescope model appears on the display. The display then reads "Align: Easy." You now can use Autostar's Arrow keys (5, Fig. 3) to move the telescope to observe. Practice using the Arrow keys to slew (move) the telescope up, down, left, and right. Sight along the side of the telescopes main tube or use the viewfinder to locate objects. Practice using the Autostar Arrow keys to center objects in the telescopes field of view and also practice using the telescopes focus knob to bring objects into focus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Quick Start Guide Autostar Features Getting Started Assembly Instructions Manual Observation Using Arrow Keys Using Autostar's GO TO Capability Moving through Autostar's Menus Initializing Autostar Autostar Navigation Training the Drive Alignment Easy Two-Star Alignment Which One's the Alignment Star Two-Star ALT/AZ Alignment One-Star ALT/AZ Alignment Go To Saturn Using the Guided Tour Slew Speeds Autostar Menus Object Menu To Observe a Satellite Event Menu Glossary Menu Utilities Menu Setup Menu To Track an Object Automatically General Maintenance Meade Customer Service Specifications: Autostar Optional Accessories Appendix A: Entering R.A. and Dec Coordinates 29 -3-
The Autostar #494 Handbox is compatible with the Meade DS (Digital Electronic Telescope) series. Please refer to your telescopes instruction manual for information specific to your telescope model. The name Meade, the Meade logo, and Autostar are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent Office and in principal countries throughout the world. All rights reserved. 2000 Meade Instruments Corporation.

Key to Fig. 3

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Screen (2-lines, 16 characters each line) ENTER Key MODE Key GO TO Key Arrow Keys (Up, Down, Left, and Right) Scroll Up Key Scroll Down Key Speed/? (Speed/Help) Key Coil Cord
Fig. 3: Autostar #494 Features.
AUTOSTAR FEATURES Control of nearly every telescope function is accomplished with just a few pushes of Autostar's keys. Autostar has softtouch 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. Refer to Fig. 3 for the positions of the following keys.
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 EXIT 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 following information is then available using the Scroll keys (6 and 7, Fig. 3): Azimuth (horizontal) and Altitude (vertical) coordinates Local Time and Local Sidereal Time (LST) Timer and Alarm Status

2-Line LCD Display: Provides a visual 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 AUTOSTAR NAVIGATION, page 11). The ENTER key is similar to the RETURN key on a computer. 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 25.
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 specific direction
(up, down, left, and right), at any one of nine different speeds (see SLEW SPEEDS, page 18). 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. NOTE: Throughout this manual, you will notice the term "Alt/Az." Alt/Az is frequently used to refer to Altitude or vertical and Azimuth or horizontal. Alt/Az is just one of many methods used by amateur astronomers to help locate stars in the night sky.
the Speed/? key is pressed briefly, the current slew speed displays. See SLEW SPEEDS, page 18. The Speed/? key also accesses the "Help" file. "Help" provides on-screen information on how to accomplish whatever task is currently active. TIP: Pressing the Speed/? key very briefly changes the slew speed. Holding down the Speed/? key longer (one to two seconds) accesses the Help function. Hold down the Speed/? key and then follow the prompts on the display to access details of Autostar functions in the Help feature. The Help system is essentially an on-screen instruction manual. If you have a question about an Autostar operation, e.g., INITIALIZATION, ALIGNMENT, etc., hold down the Speed/? key and follow the directions that scroll on the second line of the LCD screen. When a word appears in [brackets], press ENTER to access the Autostar Glossary. A definition or more detailed information is displayed. Press MODE to return to the scrolling Autostar Help display. When satisfied with the Help provided, press MODE to return to the original screen and continue with the chosen procedure.

TIP: When multiple choices are available within a menu option, the option that is currently selected is usually displayed first and highlighted by a right pointing arrow (>). 9. Autostar then prompts you to enter the status of Daylight Savings Time. Press one of the Scroll keys to switch between the YES/NO settings. Select the desired setting by pressing ENTER. NOTE: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by different names in various areas of the world. 10. Autostar then prompts you to enter the Country or State (listed alphabetically) of the observing site. If you have previously entered the Country/State and City of your observing site and your Telescope Model Number (as described in "MANUAL OBSERVATION USING THE ARROW KEYS," page 7), go to step 11. If you have not yet entered this information, perform the following steps: a. Autostar prompts you to enter the Country or State (listed alphabetically) of your observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the list of countries, states, and provinces. Press ENTER when the desired location displays. b. Autostar then prompts you to enter the city nearest to your observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the list of cities. Press ENTER when the correct city displays.
Autostar then prompts you to choose your telescope model number. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the list of telescope models. Press ENTER when your telescope model number displays. NOTE: Autostar only prompts you to enter Country/State, City, and Telescope Model Number the first time it is activated. These prompts do not appear again, unless you reset Autostar (see "RESET," page 26). However, if you change your geographic location, you can change the location information by using the Site option of the Setup menu. See "SITE," page 26, for detailed information. If you use Autostar with another DS model telescope, you can change the model number information using the "Telescope Model" option of the Setup menu. See page 25. Also see "CALIBRATE MOTOR," page 25.
OBJECT Select from over 1400 database objects and press GO TO to move the telescope automatically to the object and place it in the telescopic field of view. SETUP Quick, easy alignment permits all telescope operations with only a 2-minute setup. Select Item: Setup UTILITIES Calculate eyepiece magnifications; set the timer for an observing session; or survey user landmarks in 30-second intervals. Select Item: Utilities GLOSSARY Discover the world of astronomy by alphabetically accessing astronomical terms. Select Item: Object

The Universe of

Autostar
Select Item: Event EVENT Access the time of an astronomical event, such as the rising or setting times of the Moon. Select Item: Guided Tour GUIDED TOUR Journey through the universe as Autostar escorts you to the best celestial objects at your location.

Select Item: Glossary

Fig. 6: Autostar Universe.
11. System initialization is complete and the display reads "Align: Easy." Proceed to "AUTOSTAR NAVIGATION" for general information about Autostar before training the drive and aligning the telescope.
AUTOSTAR NAVIGATION Figs. 5 and 6 depict the six primary categories listed in the "Select Item" menu of Autostar. See MOVING WITHIN AUTOSTAR to learn how to access these categories. It is important to understand that menu selections are set in a loop (Fig. 5). This means that pressing the Scroll Down key (7, Fig. 1) cycles down through all the available options within a given category, then returns to the first option. The Scroll Up key (6, Fig. 1) cycles up through the options in the opposite order. Note that this capability is a quick way to get to an option that is near the bottom of the list. The following example demonstrates this capability.
Object Event Guided Tours Glossary Utilities Setup
Fig. 5: Menus are set in a loop.
Example: To navigate to the "Select Item: Setup" menu option when the "Select Item: Object" menu is displayed: 1. Press the Scroll Down key four times or the Scroll Up key once. Autostar's LCD display presents two lines of information. The top line shows the current menu level. The second line displays an option which may be selected within that menu level. Some options are choices that select the next menu level down. The Scroll keys move up and down within the list of available options, showing one option at a time. When the desired option is displayed on the second line, press the ENTER key to choose that option and move down one menu level. Press the MODE key to leave a level. IMPORTANT NOTE: No matter how many levels into Autostar are traveled, each press of the MODE key moves up a level, until "Select Item," is reached. Once in the "Select Item" level, press MODE to return to the topmost level, "Select Item: Object." AUTOSTAR NAVIGATION EXERCISE To demonstrate how the Autostar menu structure works, the following exercise calculates the Sunset time so an evening observing session can be planned.

Access the Setup

ENTER (horizontal)

Drive Setup For this op.

Menu returns to Az. training.
Scope slews up. Bring target back to center using ENTER the Down Arrow key.
Reminder to ENTER use terrestrial target.

Train Drive Alt. Train

ENTER (vertical)

training. Altitude

Setup Telescope
Center reference 11 object.
Center target using Arrow keys.

Select Item Object 16

Access the ENTER Telescope menu.
Center reference 17 object.
Scope slews left. Bring target back to center using ENTER the Right Arrow key.
ALIGNMENT 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. If the telescope is aligned, the motor drive is designed to move the telescope at the sidereal rate so that it automatically tracks the stars. Tracking keeps an object centered in the telescopes eyepiece and makes it easier to locate other objects. Autostar offers three methods of alignment: Easy Two-Star, One-Star Alt/AZ, and Two-Star Alt/AZ. In Easy Two-Star alignment, Autostar automatically picks two alignment stars to align upon from its database. This method is recommended for first-time observers. One-Star Alt/AZ Alignment and Two-Star Alt/AZ Alignment allow the observer to choose the alignment stars from Autostars database during the alignment procedure. The term "Alt/Az" is frequently used to refer to the Altitude or vertical and Azimuth or horizontal movements of your telescope. Other terms to describe a telescope's movement may be used with telescopes that have different types of mounts. EASY TWO-STAR ALIGNMENT The fastest and easiest way to start observing with Autostar's GO TO capabilities is to perform an Easy TwoStar Alignment.
Autostar automatically picks two stars from its database for the Easy Two-Star Alignment procedure. During the Easy Alignment procedure, Autostar slews the telescope to the first alignment star. The user is asked to verify that the telescope is pointed at the chosen star and then prompted to center the star in the eyepiece. The process is repeated with a second star to complete the alignment. NOTE: Before aligning the telescope, first verify that INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page 8, has been performed. See MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTARS MENUS, page 8, for a description of how Autostars keys operate. Easy Two-Star Alignment Procedure: 1. Sun Warning: Press the key prompted by Autostar to acknowledge that the warning was read and understood. 2. Getting Started: Press ENTER to continue, or the Speed/? key to access the Autostar Help tutorial. Press MODE to leave the tutorial at any time. 3. Enter Date: If you have not already done so, enter the current date, then press ENTER. 4. Enter Time: If you have not already done so, enter the current time. Select "AM," "PM," or 24-hour clock (blank). Then press ENTER. 5. Daylight Savings: If you have not already done so, select Yes or No, then press ENTER.

6. Select Alignment: Align: Easy displays. Press ENTER. 7. Set Home Position: Autostar then prompts you to set the telescope in the "Alt/Az" Alignment home position (Altitude-Azimuth or vertical-horizontal). To set your telescope in the "Alt/Az" home position: Level the optical tube and the tripod base so that they are parallel (horizontal) to the ground. See Fig. 8a. Tighten the horizontal and vertical locks to a "firm feel" only. Physically move the telescope so that it points North. Learn the position of Polaris (Fig. 8b), the North star, or use a small pocket compass, to determine which direction is North. Press ENTER. 8. Star Alignment: Autostar then chooses two stars to align upon. When the telescope slews to the first star for alignment, it may not appear in the field of view in the eyepiece. Use the Arrow keys to move the telescope until the star is visible and centered N in the eyepiece. The alignment star should be easily recognized and be the brightest star in the area of the sky where the teleFig. 8a: DS Home Position.
scope is pointing. Press ENTER. Repeat procedure for the second alignment star. NOTE: Autostar locates alignment stars based on the date, time, and location entered during Initialization. Alignment stars may change from night to night, and hour to hour. All that is required from the observer is to center the selected stars in the eyepiece using the Arrow keys when prompted. TIP: Another method to find the alignment star if it does not appear in the eyepiece is to perform a "spiral search." If the alignment star is not visible in the eyepiece when the telescope finishes its search, press GO TO and the telescope starts slewing in a spiral pattern at a very slow speed around the search area. Look through the eyepiece and when the object becomes visible, press MODE to stop the spiral search. Use the Arrow keys to center the object.

Little Dipper

Polaris

Big Dipper

Cassiopeia
Fig. 8b: Locating Polaris.
WHICH ONES THE ALIGNMENT STAR? If Autostar has chosen an alignment star that you are unfamiliar with, how can you be sure if the star in your eyepiece is really the alignment star? The rule of thumb is that an alignment star is usually the brightest star in that area of the sky. When you view an alignment star in an eyepiece, it will standout dramatically from the rest of the stars in that portion of the sky. If you have an obstruction, such as a tree or a building blocking your view of the alignment star, or if you have any doubts at all about the star that has been chosen, no problem. Just press the Scroll Down key and Autostar finds another star to align upon. TWO-STAR ALT/AZ ALIGNMENT Another method of alignment, Two-Star Alignment, requires some knowledge of the night sky. Autostar provides a database of bright stars and allows the observer to choose two stars from the database for alignment. 1. Perform steps 1 through 8 as described in the "EASY TWO-STAR ALIGNMENT," page 14. 2. Autostar displays a database of stars for the observer to choose from. Use the Scroll keys to scroll to a star that you wish to align upon. Select a star that you can easily locate in the night sky. 3. Press ENTER. The telescope slews to the star for alignment. Use the Arrow keys to move the telescope until the star is visible and centered in the eyepiece.

4. Press ENTER. Repeat procedure for the second alignment star. The telescope is aligned and you are now ready to use Autostar's GO TO capabilities for a night of observing. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not use Polaris as an alignment star. Choose stars for alignment that are as far apart as possible. ONE-STAR ALT/AZ ALIGNMENT One-Star Alignment also requires some knowledge of the night sky. Autostar provides a database of bright stars. One-Star Alignment is identical to Two-Star Alt/Az: Alignment (see TWO-STAR ALT/AZ ALIGNMENT, above), except only one star from this database is chosen by the observer for alignment. IMPORTANT NOTE: The accuracy of One-Star Alt/Az Alignment, unlike the Two-Star Alignment procedures, depends on how well the observer levels the telescope and how close to North the telescope is pointed when setting the Home Position (Fig. 12). Because the Two-Star Alignments use two stars to align upon, they are more precise than One-Star Alignment. GO TO SATURN After alignment, the motor drive begins operating and the telescope is ready for a night of viewing. Objects in the eyepiece should maintain their position (i.e., the telescope tracks the object) even though the Earth is rotating beneath the stars.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Once aligned, only use the GO TO or Arrow keys to move the telescope. Do not loosen the horizontal and vertical locks of the telescope, or move the tripod manually, or alignment will be lost. This exercise demonstrates how to select an object for viewing from Autostars database. This example demonstrates how to select Saturn. NOTE: Saturn is not visible the entire year and you may need to choose another object from Autostar's database; however, the procedure, as described below, remains the same. 1 After the telescope is aligned, Select Item: Object displays. (If Select Item: Object is not currently displayed, press MODE repeatedly until it displays.) Press ENTER.
may have chosen); i.e., Saturn remains centered in the eyepiece. If an object is observed in the telescope without using Autostar's GO TO or automatic tracking capabilities (see "TO TRACK AN OBJECT AUTOMATICALLY," page 25), the object gradually drifts out of the field of view due to the Earth's rotation. USING THE GUIDED TOUR This example demonstrates using Tonights Best Guided Tour. 1. After observing Saturn, press MODE twice so that Select Item: Object displays again. 2. Press the Scroll Down key twice. Select Item: Guided Tour displays. 3. Press ENTER. Guided Tour: Tonights Best displays. Press ENTER. NOTE: If you wish to try other Guided Tours, press the Scroll Down key to scroll through other tour choices. When the tour you wish to select displays, press ENTER. 4. Tonights Best: Searching. displays. After calculating, Tonights Best: Jupiter displays. NOTE: Different objects may be displayed on a tour list on any given night. Press ENTER and then use the Scroll keys to display information about the object. Press Mode to exit the information display. Press GO TO to move the telescope to the object.

Select Item: Guided Tour

Tour Objects Tonight's Best How Far is Far A Star's Life
A. Accretion Disk Etc. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. V. W. X. Y. Z.

Select Item: Utilities

Timer Set Start & Stop Alarm Set On & Off Eyepiece Calc. Field of View Magnification Suggest Display Options Sun Warning Getting Started Brightness Adj. Contrast Adj. Battery Alarm Landmark Survey Sleep Scope Park Scope

Select Item: Setup

Align Easy One Star Two Star Date Time Daylight Saving Telescope Tele. Model Focal Length Az/Alt Ratio Train Drive Tracking Rate Reverse L/R Reverse Up/Dn Calibrate Motor High Precision Targets Astronomical Terrestrial Site Select Add Delete Edit Owner Info Download Statistics Reset
Fig. 9: The Autostar Menu Structure.
OBJECT MENU Almost all observing with Autostar is performed using the Object menu category. (NOTE: Exceptions include Guided Tour and Landmark Survey.) See GO TO SATURN, page 16, for an example of observing using the Object menu. Also see USING THE GUIDED TOUR, page 17. Many Autostar menu categories contain databases. An Autostar database is a list of viewable objects, such as stars, planets, comets, nebulae and so forth. When one of these objects is selected, Autostar moves your telescope (if properly aligned) and points it at the selected object. The Object Menu options include: Solar System is a database of the eight planets (Earth is not included) in order out from the Sun, followed by the Moon, asteroids, and comets. Constellation is a database of all 88 Northern and Southern Hemisphere constellations. When this menu option is chosen and a constellation name appears on the first line of the screen, press GO TO once to change the second line to the name of the brightest star in the constellation. Press GO TO a second time to slew the telescope to that star. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the list of stars in the constellation, from brightest to dimmest. Deep Sky is a database of objects outside our Solar System such as nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, and quasars.
Star is a database of stars listed in different categories such as named, double, variable, or nearby. Satellite is a database of Earth-orbiting objects such as the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope, Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, and geosynchronous orbit satellites. To Observe a Satellite: 1. Choose a satellite from the Select menu, then press ENTER. Autostar scans its database to find if that satellite is expected to pass overhead within the next 6 hours. 2. If a satellite is expected, use the Scroll keys to access a list of data about the pass, including acquisition time, location, etc. 3. At the end of the list is "Alarm." Press ENTER and Autostar automatically sets the alarm to sound several minutes before the scheduled appearance. You may return to regular observations until the alarm goes off. 4. When the alarm goes off, return to the Satellite menu and press a Scroll key until the desired satellite is on the top line of the display. 5 Press GO TO. Autostar slews the telescope to where the satellite should appear. The motor drive stops and a countdown starts. NOTE: If the scheduled appearance position of the satellite is obstructed (i.e., by a building,

has been properly aligned, use the Autostar Arrow keys to move about in the sky. Then follow this procedure: IMPORTANT NOTE: Only use the Arrow keys to move the telescope during the Identify procedure. Do not loosen the telescope locks or move the base or alignment is lost. 1. When a desired object is visible in the eyepiece, keep pressing MODE until the Select Item: Object menu is displayed. Press ENTER to select this menu. 2. Scroll through the Object menu options until the Object: Identify screen appears. 3. Press ENTER. Autostar searches the database for the identity of the object being observed. 4. If the telescope is not directly on an Autostar database object, the nearest database object is located and displayed on the screen. Press GO TO and the telescope slews to that object. EVENT MENU The Event menu provides access to dates and times of astronomical events. The Event database includes: Sunrise and Sunset calculates the time that the Sun rises or sets on the current date. Find rise and set times for other dates by entering a new date into the Setup: Date menu. See "DATE," page 24.
Moonrise and Moonset calculates the time that the Moon rises or sets on the current date. Find rise and set times for other dates by entering a new date into the Setup: Date menu. See "DATE," page 24. Moon Phases displays the date and time of the next Full, New, 1st Quarter, and 3rd Quarter Moon. Meteor Showers provides information on upcoming meteor showers, such as the Perseids, the Leonids, etc. Also lists the dates of the showers and when they reach maximum. NOTE: Meteors are fast moving objects that cover large areas of the sky and are usually best observed with the naked eye. Solar Eclipse lists upcoming Solar Eclipses, including the date and type (total, annular, or partial) of eclipse, and the location and time of the first and last contacts of the Moon's shadow. Use the Scroll Up and Down keys to display the available data. Remember, never use a telescope to look at the Sun! See WARNING! page 2. Lunar Eclipse lists upcoming Lunar Eclipses, including the date and type (total, partial, penumbral) of eclipse. Use the Scroll Up and Down keys to display the available data. Min. (Minimum) of Algol is the minimum brightness of the dramatic eclipsing binary star system, Algol. It is relatively close at a distance of 100 light years. Every 2.8 days during a 10-hour period, Algol undergoes a major change in apparent magnitude as one of the two stars passes behind

Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts down Autostar and the telescope without forgetting its alignment. With "Sleep Scope" selected, press ENTER to activate the Sleep function. Autostar goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running. Press any key, except ENTER, to re-activate Autostar and the telescope. Park Scope is designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. Next time it is powered up, enter the correct date and time no alignment is required. Pressing ENTER causes the telescope to move to its pre-determined Park position. Once parked, the screen prompts to turn off power. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the "Park Scope" option is chosen and the display prompts you to turn off the telescope's power, Autostar is unable to be returned to operation without turning the power off and then back on. SETUP MENU The Setup menus primary function is to align the telescope (see "ALIGNMENT," page 14). However, there are numerous other features available within the Setup menu, including: Date changes the date used by Autostar. This function is useful to check events in the past or future. For example, set the Date menu for a day three months in the future. Then check the "Select Item: Event" menu for the Sunset time on that date. See EVENT MENU, page 22.
Getting Started: Turns the Getting Started message on or off. 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. NOTE: This feature is usually only required in very cold weather. 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. See "LANDMARK," page 21.
Time changes the time entered into Autostar. Setting the correct time is critical for Autostar to properly calculate locations and events. Time may be set to 24-hour mode (military time) by selecting the "blank" option which follows the "AM" and "PM" options. Daylight Saving is used to enable or disable Daylight Savings time. NOTE: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by different names in various areas of the world. Check local time to verify. Telescope accesses the several options, including: Telescope Model: Selects the model of telescope connected to Autostar. Focal Length: Displays the focal length of the selected telescope. Az Ratio and Alt Ratio: The Az (Azimuth) ratio and Alt (Altitude) ratio refers to the gears of the telescope's motors. Do not alter these numbers. Train Drive: Trains the Altitude and Azimuth motors to locate objects with more precision. If you are experiencing any problems with pointing accuracy, or performed a Reset, follow the procedure described in TRAINING THE DRIVE, page 13, to insure accurate pointing and tracking. Tracking Rate: Changes the speed at which the telescope tracks targets in the sky.

Version: Shows the current version of the Autostar software. Reset completely resets Autostar. Autostar requires initialization again after a Reset before proceeding with observations. See INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page 8. You also need to perform TRAINING THE DRIVE, page 13. GENERAL MAINTENANCE Autostar is a precision electronic instrument designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding observations. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, Autostar rarely, if ever, requires factory servicing or maintenance. Maintenance guidelines include: Do not leave Autostar inside a sealed car on a warm day; excessive ambient temperatures can damage the electronic circuitry. When not connected to a telescope, be sure to store Autostar and the coil cord in a cool dry place, and in such a way as to prevent damage (i.e., in its original packing box). The connectors on the end of the coil cord are fairly rugged and should yield years of use under normal circumstances. Take care when storing the cord so that the connectors do not become crushed or abraded.
MEADE CUSTOMER SERVICE If you have a question concerning Autostar, contact the Meade Instruments Customer Service Department at: Telephone: 1-800-62-MEADE Fax: (949) 451-1460 Customer Service hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. In the unlikely event that the Autostar requires factory servicing or repairs, write or call the Meade Customer Service Department first, before returning Autostar to the factory, giving full particulars as to the nature of the problem, as well as your name, address, and daytime telephone number. The great majority of servicing issues can be resolved by telephone, avoiding return of the telescope to the factory. AUTOSTAR SPECIFICATIONS Processor..68HC11, 8MHz Flash Memory..512KB, reloadable Display..2 line, 16 character LCD Backlight..Red LED Coil Cord..24" AUTOSTAR DIMENSIONS Length..14.2cm (5.60") Width (LCD end).78.0cm (3.08") Width (Connector end).53.5cm (2.10") Depth..23.5cm (0.93") Autostar net weight..0.169kg (0.35 lbs.)
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES See your telescope manual for a complete listing of all accessories. #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit: Displays more than 10,000 celestial wonders galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, stars, and planets on your PC, enabling even the beginner to locate and identify objects to observe with the telescope or to print out star charts for use in observing sessions. Operates with any Windowsbased personal computer. The Cable Connector Kit permits connection of a DS telescope, Autostar, and PC, for downloading of new software to Autostar or for updating of Earth satellite or other celestial object positions. This kit is included with each AstroFinder Software package.

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