Meade LX90-ACF Advanced Coma-Free, Instruction Manual

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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.
Cord Wrap, when set to “On”, moves the telescope in such a way as to prevent the cords and
cables attached to your telescope assembly from getting wound around the assembly and
tangled as the telescope slews to objects. “Off” is the default setting.
GPS: Select “Off” to turn off the GPS function—you will be prompted to manually enter the time,
date and location. Select “Start Up” to have the GPS function begin when you turn on AutoStar.
Select “When Needed” to have the GPS function begin only when it's needed. For example, you
have not performed the GPS fix yet and you have select Sunrise. AutoStar needs to know time,
date and location to calculate Sunrise times, so the GPS fix will begin when you select press
ENTER after selecting Sunrise.
Setup Menu
The Setup menu’s primary function is to align the telescope . 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 26.
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:
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Model: Allows you to select the telescope model connected to AutoStar.
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Focal Length: Displays the focal length of the selected telescope.
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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.
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Az Percent : The Az (Azimuth) Percent allows you to change the azimuth backlash, i.e., the
way the Arrow keys move the telescope along the azimuth (horizontal) axis. If you enter a
value near 100, the telescope tube responds more quickly (it responds immediately at
100%) as you hold down an Arrow key and also slews (moves) the tube more quickly. If
you enter a value near 0, it takes longer for the tube to respond as you hold down an Arrow
key and also slews the tube more slowly. Experiment with this option. Try changing the
percent value until you get a “feel” for the Arrow keys that is comfortable for you.
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Alt Percent : The Alt (Altitude) Percent operates identical to the Az Percent option (see
above), but allows you to change the altitude backlash,
i.e., the way the Arrow keys move
the telescope when moving along the altitude (vertical) axis.
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Train Drive : Trains the Altitude and Azimuth motors to locate objects with more precision.
If you are experiencing any problems with pointing accuracy, follow the procedure
described in
APPENDIX C: TRAINING THE DRIVE
, page 55, to insure accurate pointing and
tracking.
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Tracking Rate: Changes the speed at which the telescope tracks targets in the sky.
a. Sidereal: The default setting for AutoStar; sidereal rate is the standard rate at which
stars move from East to West across the sky due to the rotation of the Earth.
b. Lunar: Choose this option to properly track the Moon over long observing sessions.
c. Custom : Allows entry of user-defined tracking rates.
Use the Setup menu
to perform many of the
features that apply to
the set up of your
telescope, such as
training the drive,
selecting terrestrial or
astronomical modes,
changing observing
site information.