Meade Autostar

[fizzy123]

Does any Meade scope user know how to add object into autostar? I tried to put in the info for comet NEAT 2001/ Q4. But wat is EPOCH EL? in one of the keying info in autostar. I use my info base on NASA comet ephemeris they have one that is epoch2003 one is epoch2004, which should I use? :? :?

[Airconvent]

Does any Meade scope user know how to add object into autostar? I tried to put in the info for comet NEAT 2001/ Q4. But wat is EPOCH EL? in one of the keying info in autostar. I use my info base on NASA comet ephemeris they have one that is epoch2003 one is epoch2004, which should I use? :? :?

Frankly the documentation for the autostar is trash.
I have become stumped by the terms used to manually key in the data.
So to make it simple, here is how I did it:

1. Download the full comet list from Meade website (look under autostar)
2. The comet list in .txt format is quite long. The autostar has much lesser memory than the Mars Explorer, so you may need to trim it down. For my case, I deleted all the other comets except Q4, T7 and Bradfield.
3. Next, I connect the scope to the PC, and using the Meade ASU software, imported this new text file into the correct format and then load it onto the autostar and walla, you have the comet data in there.
4. While you are there, you can also choose to add or delete the tours as well. That is the strength of the Meade autostar.

Of course, if autostar gurus like CC or Matthew can shed some light on how to key this in manually, we will save all that trouble!

good luck!
rich

[fizzy123]

Hi Rich,
my problem is that I use a ETX60 which uses adifferent hand controller and I do not have a cable to connect to the PC. Do u have any info u can sent to me like example, the resultant ( EPOCH of EL), the manual key in stuff, after u load in info from PC to the ETX. My email is tampines84@hotmail.com Tango Yankee. 8) 8)

Post edited By NovaFusion on 300404 at 2150hrs. Reason: spelling mistakes and it's tango yankee not tanko

[Airconvent]

Hi Rich,
my problem is that I use a ETX60 which uses adifferent hand controller and I do not have a cable to connect to the PC. Do u have any info u can sent to me like example, the resultant ( EPOCH of EL), the manual key in stuff, after u load in info from PC to the ETX. My email is tampines84@hotmail.com Tango Yankee. 8) 8)

Hi fizzy,
I am not too sure how to do it manually as I have said I had problem relating the data with what autostar's format. You may want to post your question on www.weasner.com and see if the ETX gurus there can point you in the correct direction....
good luck

rich

[fizzy123]

For comet NEAt after keying in the data I, I compare the DEC and R.A. value the atuostar give me and those of heavens-above, I am 2 degree lesser in DEC and 2 minutes more in R.A., is this acceptable for observation use? :roll: