Glossary Menu
The Glossary menu provides an alphabetical listing of definitions and descriptions for
common astronomical terms and Autostar II functions. Access directly through the
Glossary menu or through hypertext words embedded in Autostar II. A
hypertext word
is any word in [
brackets
], usually found when using the Autostar II Help function or
when reading a scrolling message such as a description of a planet or star. Press
ENTER whenever a hypertext word is on screen and Autostar II goes to the glossary
entry for that word.
To access directly from within the Glossary menu, use the Scroll keys to scroll through
the alphabet. Press ENTER on the desired letter. Scroll to the desired entry and then
press ENTER to read the description.
Utilities Menu
The Utilities menu provides access to several extra features within Autostar II, includ-
ing a countdown timer and an alarm. The Utilities functions include:
OTA Fan:
Allows you to turn the fan off or on. The fan assists with the stabilization of
the optics. The fan should be activated at the beginning of an observing session and
run until the optics have achieved an equilibrium with the environment. 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 movement observed with sensitive optics.
Dew Heater:
Allow 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
astrophotography 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
Suggest:
Autostar II calculates and suggests the best eyepiece for viewing,
based on the telescope and the object being viewed.
Sun Warning:
Enables or disables Autostar II’s Sun warning display.
Brightness Adj
: Adjusts the brightness of the display using the Scroll keys. When com-
plete, press ENTER.
Contrast Adj:
Adjusts the contrast of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete,
press ENTER.
Tip:
The Contrast Adjustment
feature is usually only
required in very cold
weather.
If you adjust the contrast 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 display screens are
not affected by the
Contrast control), press
MODE.
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Summary of Contents for RCX400
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