User's Manual
29
align the telescope (see EASY ALIGN, page 21). However, there are numerous other features
available within the Setup menu, including:
Date changes the date used by AudioStar. 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 25.
Time changes the time entered into AudioStar. Setting the correct time is critical for AudioStar
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:
• Model: Allows you to select the telescope model connected to AudioStar.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 D: TRAINING THE DRIVE, page 48, to insure accurate pointing and
tracking.
• Tracking Rate: Changes the speed at which the telescope tracks targets in the sky.
• a. Sidereal: The default setting for AudioStar; 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.
• Reverse L/R: Reverses the functions of the Left and Right Arrow keys (i.e., the Right
key moves the telescope to the left).
• Reverse UP/DOWN: Reverses the functions of the Up and Down Arrow keys (i.e., the
Up key moves the telescope down).
• Calibrate Motor: If the telescope motors appear to have a problem, use this option to
retest the motors before performing a Reset. This option is also used if an AudioStar unit
is moved between telescopes, to match AudioStar to the new telescope. To calibrate the
motors, select this option and press ENTER.
• High Precision: If High Precision is turned on, when looking for a faint celestial object
(i.e., a nebula or galaxy), AudioStar first slews to a nearby bright star and displays “ENTER
to Sync.” Center the star in the eyepiece, then press ENTER. At that point the telescope
has a high precision alignment to that part of the sky and it then slews to the object that
was originally requested.
Targets switches between Astronomical targets and Terrestrial targets. If “Astronomical” is
selected, the telescope tracking motor is activated and any object you observe will remain
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do
not look through the telescope as it is moving.
Note: The time and
date information is
kept by a high
precision internal
clock, which is set at
the factory and held
by a long-life lithium
battery.
Replace the internal
clock’s battery with a
CR-2032 lithium
battery. This battery
is located in the
battery compartment.
Both batteries are
available from a
photographic supply
houses or any place
lithium batteries are
sold.