AutoStar #497 HANDBOX
Obser
ving
22
Note:
Press any key to abort the GPS fi x. You
will then be prompted to enter the time, date and
location.
Important Note: It is recommended that you do not attempt a
GPS fi x indoors. It is also recommended that you CALIBRATE
SENSORS the fi rst time your telescope takes a GPS fi x. See
page 33 for more information.
e. Once the level, tilt and North are detected,
the telescope will “Go To” two alignment
stars.
The telescope will go to these stars in
order to orient itself to the sky. Once it has done
this, it will be able to point to any of the more
than 145,000 stars in its database.
“Automatic Alignment: Selecting Star” and
“Slewing” display. Finally, when it is close to
the alignment star “Center Brightest Star: Press
ENTER” displays. Use the Arrow keys to center
the alignment star in the eyepiece. The alignment
star will be the brightest star in that area of the
sky (and hence, “brightest star”). When the
alignment star is centered, press ENTER. This
also defi nes the telescope’s optical center on the
StarLock sensor.
Note:
If you press the “?” key while “Ctr Brightest
Star” displays, the name of the alignment
star that AutoStar has chosen will display. For
example, “Arcturus: Press ENTER” may display.
Note:
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 will fi nd another
star to align upon.
6. The telescope now slews to the second
alignment star. “Automatic Alignment: Selecting
Star” and “Slewing” display. When it is close to
the second alignment star “Center Brightest Star:
Press ENTER” displays. Use the Arrow keys to
center the alignment star in the eyepiece.
7. “Alignment successful” displays. If “Alignment
Unsuccessful” displays, perform the procedure
over again.
Important Note: Once the telescope is aligned, only use the
Arrow keys to move the telescope. Once the telescope has
been aligned, do not loosen the telescope locks (Pg. 10, Fig.
1, 12 and 17), or move the base manually, or alignment will
be lost.
Important Note: The Daylight Saving menu enables or
disables the Daylight Savings Time setting: Remember to
turn this setting off or on the two days a year when Daylight
Saving changes. See TIMING IS EVERYTHING, page 35.
Polar Mode
Up until this point we have described the operation of the LX600
in the Alt-Azmuth mode. The LX600 telescope was designed
to be operated in the Polar mode using Meade’s X-Wedge.
This precision machined, rigid equatorial wedge is designed to
securely mount between the giant fi eld tripod and the LX600
telescope and provides a steady platform ideally suited for long
term astro photography.
Instructions to attach the X-Wedge and mount the LX600
telescope can be found in
Appendix F: X-Wedge Installation
(Page 62-66)
.
The alignment procedure for an X-Wedge mounted LX600 differs
from Alt-Azmuth mode telescope. Meade offers you several
polar alignments to choose from, but generally “One-Star Polar
Alignment” described below is preferred method.
The LX600 in proper orientation for
one-star polar alignment
North
Pointing
at Polaris
