Explorations and Reflections on Meade's Autostar and Audiostar Control Systems

Explorations and Reflections on Meade's Autostar and Audiostar Control Systems

Revamped Review: Simplified Stargazing with Meade's Autostar and Audiostar

Through this review, I'll be focusing on the Meade Autostar 497 hand control as an exemplar, as its features are standard for most of Meade's Autostar and Audiostar computerized telescope control systems. These systems, offered by brands like Meade and Celestron, have become synonymous with motor-driven, computer-controlled telescopes, commonly referred to as "GoTo" systems today.

Over the decades, Meade has incorporated AutoStar and AudioStar into numerous hand controls matching their specific telescope lines. Some of the popular handset models include:

• The Autostar 494, which came with the Meade ETX 80 Backpack Observer.
• The Autostar 495, shipped with the Meade DS series.
• The Autostar 497, introduced as an upgrade for the ETX telescope line in the late 1990s. The 497 hand control could be added to existing ETX-EC telescope systems to create a robotic telescope. Later, it became a standard component of the ETX line with the ETX AT telescopes. The initial versions of the 497 handsets featured over 10,000 objects in their database, which increased significantly over time.
• The Autostar II, included with the Meade LX200 series, boasts over 140,000 celestial bodies in its database.
• Meade's Audiostar system also has an updated handset packed with a built-in speaker for audio descriptions of the celestial bodies being observed. These handsets carry databases containing over 30,000 celestial objects.

The beauty of the Autostar and Audiostar systems lies in their user-friendly navigation, catering to both beginner and advanced telescope enthusiasts. With minimal learning curve required, these systems enable users to easily find and track planets, stars, and deep-sky objects as they travel across the night sky.

The handsets all operate in a similar manner, with the exception that Audiostar is the only model featuring audio capabilities. I have personally used the ETX 60, ETX 80 AT, ETX 80 Observer, and ETX 125 EC, each complemented with the optional Autostar 497 controller. My experience with the Meade LX200 14" at the Custer Observatory was remarkably similar, feeling just like operating one of the ETX scopes.

Once aligned, these systems can locate and track objects contained within their databases, making celestial observation a breeze.

User-Friendly Overview

I'll provide an overview of the Autostar and Audiostar systems using the Meade 497 handset as an example. Keep in mind that they all operate in a similar fashion, albeit with minor differences in their interfaces and functionality.

The handset features a 2-line screen, followed by three command keys: Enter, Mode, and GoTo. An array of four directional keys enables manual movement, followed by a folding 10-keypad for entering target names or numbers, as well as for setting the slew speed. Up and down buttons facilitate navigation through menus, while the help key provides assistance when necessary.

The handset interfaces with the telescope via a port, sending commands to the drive motors contained within the telescope mount, allowing for smooth movement of the telescope. The software interface organizes functions into easily accessible menus, requiring little to no memorization for operation.

Let's take a closer look at the main functionalities:

• Setup: The first menu allows users to input the date, time, and location. This information serves as a reference for the system, ensuring accurate alignment and object identification.
• Alignment: The alignment menu offers several options for carrying out alignment procedures, with the "Easy" option being the most straightforward and accessible.
• Object: This menu lets users choose which celestial objects they wish to observe, ranging from solar system objects, constellations, deep-sky objects, stars, satellites, and user-defined custom targets.
• Guided Tour: Select this option for a curated tour through various showcase targets, helping those unsure of what to observe. A glossary of terms is also available to help clarify any confusion.
• Utilities: The utility menu offers features like setting a timer, alarms, adjusting brightness, and there's even an eyepiece calculator to determine magnification.

Effortless Alignment Process

The quality of the alignment process is crucial in determining the accuracy with which the telescope can locate targeted celestial objects. The "Easy" alignment process is straightforward:

1. Place the telescope's optical tube level and facing north, also known as the home position. This gives the telescope an approximate starting point to pinpoint its location and the locations of celestial objects.
2. Power up the telescope, and the handset will prompt you to move to the home position.
3. With "Easy Alignment" selected, the Autostar handset chooses a bright star and moves the telescope toward it. Although it may not initially hit the star exactly, your job is to use the arrow keys to center the star within the eyepiece, then hit "Enter".
4. The handset selects a second bright star and moves the telescope to its estimated location. Again, it may not be perfectly accurate, requiring you to use the arrow keys to center the second star in the eyepiece and hit "Enter".
5. The telescope is now aligned! Once aligned, users can input their desired celestial targets with the expectation that the system will pinpoint them with reasonable accuracy in the low-power eyepiece.
6. Once located, use the arrow keys to make minor adjustments for precise centering of the target within the eyepiece. The system will then track the target as it moves across the sky, offering uninterrupted observation.

In my personal experience, the ability to leave my ETX scope pointed at Jupiter, stepping away to get a drink, only to find Jupiter still in view upon my return speaks volumes about the Autostar's efficiency and reliability.

Exploring Light-Polluted Skies

The Autostar system can direct you to targets even when they are obscured by light pollution, making it an invaluable asset in challenging observing conditions.

Diving Deeper into Electronically Enhanced Astronomy

Emerging research in the field of Electronically Enhanced Astronomy (EAA) uses video cameras to replace traditional eyepieces, capturing images which are then analyzed by computers. By stacking multiple images, these systems can accumulate light, producing results similar to long-exposure astrophotography. With the Autostar system's ability to track celestial objects, enthusiasts can delve into the world of astroimaging and explore this fascinating new realm of astronomy.

1. Meade's Autostar and Audiostar systems, such as the Autostar 497, have become synonymous with GoTo systems in astronomy, offering motor-driven, computer-controlled telescopes for both beginners and advanced telescope enthusiasts.
2. These systems provide user-friendly navigation, allowing users to easily find and track planets, stars, and deep-sky objects across the night sky, with minimal learning curve required.
3. The Meade 497 handset, for instance, features a 2-line screen, command keys, directional keys, and a folding 10-keypad for easy navigation and entry of target names or numbers.
4. In the domain of space-and-astronomy technology, these systems interface with telescopes via a port, sending commands to the drive motors, which enables smooth movement of the telescope for tracking celestial objects.
5. With the Autostar system's ability to track celestial objects, even in the face of light pollution, it empowers beginners to explore the universe, and with the rise of Electronically Enhanced Astronomy (EAA), advanced users can dive deeper into astroimaging and astrophotography.
6. The Autostar and Audiostar systems have transformed telescopes into sophisticated instruments, utilizing telescopes, solar telescopes, telescopes with deep-sky capabilities, and even telescopes suitable for astrophotography, all controlled by these user-friendly and advanced pieces of technology.

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