How to Use a Meade AutoStar Telescope

Using the Meade Autostar Telescope

• 1

  Assemble the telescope and Autostar control unit. Attach the coil cord between the telescope and the Autostar unit.

• 2

  Align the telescope. Place the drive unit on a flat surface and loosen the locks between the base and the telescope and set the Dec setting circle to 0 degrees. Rotate the telescope so it is positioned directly over the computer control panel. Rotate the telescope until the Dec setting is directly above the computer panel. At this point the telescope and control base can be picked up and mounted on the tripod or pedestal pointed at true north. This alignment is sufficient for most telescope operations, although further alignments can be made.

• 3

  Initialize the Autostar. The Autostar unit leads the operator through a series of questions regarding the local time and location to establish the necessary data for the operation of the Meade Autostar Telescope. Parameters are accessed by using the arrow keys and the number pad on the Autostar unit.

• 4

  Control the telescope from the Autostar computer controller. The controller includes a two-line display and a set of buttons. The buttons can be used to control the telescope, including directing the telescope to a predetermined set of coordinates. The mode button starts the process of identifying the object to be viewed. This allows the Autostar unit to list databases of objects within our solar system, constellation, deep space objects, satellites and stars. The databases include approximately 14,000 objects.