Instruments Telescopes Instruction Manual RCX400

OTA Fan: Allows you to turn the fan off or on if you have an RCX model. The fan
assists with the stabilization of the optics. The fan should be activated at the begin-
ning of an observing session and run until the optics have achieved an equilibrium
with the en
vironment. Fan operation time should range from about 5 to 25 minutes.
Note that the fan may introduce a slight vibration and this may cause noticeable move-
ment observed with sensitive optics.
De
w Heater:
Allo
ws you to adjust heater level, setting from 0 to 100.
OTA Temperature: Provides a temperature reading at the edge of the corrector plate.
Ambient Temperature: Provides a temperature reading at the fork arm.
Timer: Selects a countdown timer. This feature is useful for functions such as
astrophotog
raphy and tracking satellites. To use the Timer, press ENTER, then
choose “Set” or “Start/Stop."
J Set: Enter the time to be counted down, in hours, minutes, and seconds, then press
ENTER.
J Start/Stop: Activates the timer set previously. Use the Scroll keys to toggle between
ON and OFF. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to activate the timer. When the
timer runs out, four beeps sound and the timer is deactivated.
Alarm: Selects a time for an alarm signal to sound as a reminder. To use the Alarm,
press ENTER, then choose "Set" or "Start/Stop."
J Set: Enter the time of day for the alarm to sound, in hours, minutes, and seconds,
then press ENTER.
J Start/Stop: Activates the alarm set previously. Use the Scroll keys to toggle
between ON and OFF. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to activate the
alarm. When the alarm time arrives, Autostar II beeps. Press ENTER to deacti-
vate the alarm.
Eyepiece Calc: Calculates information about an eyepiece for the specific telescope
to which Autostar II is connected.
J Field of View: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is
selected, the field of view is calculated.
J Magnification: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is
selected, the magnification is calculated.
J Sug
g
est:
A
utostar II calculates and suggests the best e
y
epiece f
or vie
wing,
based on the telescope and the object being viewed.
Brightest Star:
Gives you a choice of Autostar displaying "CTR Bright Star" or identify-
ing the star by name during alignment.
Contrast Adj: Adjusts the contrast of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete,
press ENTER.
P
anel Light:
Allo
ws y
ou to turn off LED panel light.
A
ux P
or
t P
ower:
Allo
ws y
ou tur
n off and on the 12vDC OUT po
wer port.
Beep: Turns the beep alerts on or off.
T
emperature
:
Giv
es a temperature reading of the ambient air. This reading is not always
available.
Sleep Scope: A po
w
er sa
ving option that shuts down Autostar II and the telescope
without forgetting its alignment. With "Sleep Scope" selected, press ENTER to acti-
vate the Sleep function. Autostar II goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running.
Press an
y k
e
y
, e
xcept ENTER, to re-activ
ate A
utostar II and the telescope.
Park Scope: Designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions.
Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. The next
time it is po
w
ered up
, pressing ENTER causes the telescope to mo
v
e to its predeter
-
mined P
ark position. Once parked, the screen prompts to turn off power.
Tip:
The Contrast Adjustment
feature is usually only
required in v
er
y cold
w
eather.
If y
ou adjust the contr
ast so
that you can no longer
read the display, turn off
the power and turn it on
again. When Version
appears on the display (the
initial displa
y screens are
not affected by the
Contrast control), press
MODE.
36
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.