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How to Observe Objects Using Meades AutoStar System

James Schottelkotte

This manual is intended for individuals who are inexperienced with telescopes and are assisting in science outreach
programs such as Astrofest or Friday night open houses. The instructions below do not state how to set up or
align the telescope. Such tasks should be performed by experienced volunteers. Rather, this document outlines
how to go from object to object in the night sky using the AutoStar handheld tracking system. AutoStar is
essentially a database coupled with a computer program that tells the telescope where to point. With just a few
clicks of a button, you can point a telescope at a star, a planet, and a galaxy within minutes!

Checklists
Items involved:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Motorized Telescope
AutoStar handheld tracking device
Eyepiece (~30-40 mm focal length)
Object list or star chart

Be sure that the following has already been completed:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

All lens caps have been removed

All cables are properly connected
The telescope is powered and on
The telescope has an eyepiece*
The telescope has been aligned by an experienced volunteer

* If the telescope does not have an eyepiece, ask a supervisor or experienced volunteer to fetch you one or show
you where they are found. Note: It is recommended to start with an eyepiece with a focal length of ~30-40 mm
(focal lengths are printed on the eyepieces). Larger focal lengths give a wide field of view, but smaller
magnification.
If problems occur or you have questions, consult with a supervisor immediately.

Words of Caution:
WARNING: Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at
or near the Sun.

WARNING: When the telescope is changing targets, make sure that no cables become tangled, get wrapped
around something, or stuck. This can cause damage to the cables and the telescope.

Telescope Features:
The image below displays several elements of the telescope that may be useful when operating the equipment.
Figure 1: A standard Meade telescope set up

meade.com/downloads/dl/file/id/6/lx90_gps_manual.pdf

Features worth noting:

The eyepiece (1) is used for magnified viewing of an object.

Focus the telescope using the focus knob (8) to the right of the eyepiece.
The handheld AutoStar device (14) is what you will be using to point the telescope.
The viewfinder (20) has a wide field of view and will help you locate an object that is not within the
view of the eyepiece.

AutoStar Handheld Device:

The AutoStar handheld device controls the telescope. Nearly all functions are performed with this device.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

LCD Display
Enter Key
Mode Key (and previous menu)
Go To Key
Arrow Keys
Number Keys
Scroll Keys*
? Key (Help)
Coil Cord Port
Coil Cord
RS-232 Port
Utility Light

Figure 2: Meade AutoStar Handheld Device

meade.com/downloads/dl/file/id/6/lx90_gps_manual.pdf

* The scroll keys are used for moving up and down in the menus. Do not use the arrow keys. They move the telescope.

Hotkeys:
The Number Keys may also serve as hotkeys, allowing for quick navigation of different celestial objects as well as
changing the slewing speed of the telescope when using the arrow keys. The most useful hotkeys for you are:

1 SPEED. Changes the movement speed of

the telescope. After pressing 1, select speed on
number keys (See note on right).

3 M for Messier Catalog. Input the threedigit number of a Messier object of interest.

5 SS for Solar System. Scroll through the list

of the brightest solar system objects such as
planets.

Speeds 1-3: Best used for centering of an object in

the field of view of a high magnification
eyepiece (<20 mm).
Speeds 4-6: Best used for centering of an object in
the field of view of a low-to-moderate power
eyepiece (20-35 mm).
Speeds 7-8: Best used for rough centering of an
object in the eyepiece or viewfinder.
Speed 9: Moves the telescope quickly from one
point in the sky to another.

Moving through AutoStars Menus:

The AutoStar database is organized in levels for quick and easy navigation.

Press ENTER to go deeper into AutoStar's menu levels.

Press MODE to move back toward the top menu level.
Press the Scroll keys to move up and down through the options available for each level.
Press the Arrow keys to enter characters and digits.

Navigating the Stars:

Example 1: Bright Star
Now that you have a basic understanding of the controls and equipment, lets point the telescope to a bright star
using the AutoStar system. Refer to a star chart to identify bright stars in your current sky. Sirius is a bright object
in the spring, while Vega dominates the autumn sky. Lets use Sirius as an example.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

At the main menu (if not at the main menu, hit MODE until you are at the main menu), scroll down using
the scroll keys until Select Item: Object is displayed.
Find Star using the scroll keys.
Hit ENTER
AutoStar breaks this category into Named, SAO Catalog, Double, etc. Sirius is a famous named star,
so select Named.
AutoStar lists objects in alphabetical order. Use the scroll keys to find Sirius.
Once Sirius is found, hit ENTER.
To point the telescope at Sirius, hit GO TO.
Locate Sirius in the eyepiece and center it using the arrow keys.
a. If Sirius cannot be seen in the eyepiece, the telescope may not be aligned properly. Look through
the viewfinder and center Sirius on the crosshair. Now look through the eyepiece. If Sirius is still
not visible, try moving the telescope around using a slow speed to locate the star.

Example 2: Planet
Next, try moving the telescope to the planet Jupiter (or another planet visible) using the Solar System hotkey. You
can use the SS hotkey at any time as long as you are not being asked to input other numbers or characters.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Press 5 to use the SS hotkey. AutoStar should automatically display a list of bright solar system objects.
Use the scroll keys to find the object of interest (in this case, Jupiter).
Hit ENTER
Hit GO TO in order to tell the telescope to point at Jupiter.
Locate Jupiter in the eyepiece and center it using the arrow keys. If Jupiter is not visible in the eyepiece,
repeat the steps found in step 8 of Example 1.

Try these techniques with other types of objects and explore different menus! Clear Skies!