Instruction Manual LXD55-Series Telescopes Meade Instruments Corporation CONTENTS WARNING! Never use a Meade® LXD55-Series Telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye damage is often painless, so there is no warning to the observer that damage has occurred until it is too late. Do not point the telescope or its viewfinder at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope or its viewfinder as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing. Telescope Features ...................................................... 4 Autostar Features .......................................................... 9 Getting Started ..............................................................11 Unpacking and Assembly..........................................11 How to Assemble Your Telescope ............................11 Balancing the Telescope ..........................................13 Aligning the Viewfinder..............................................14 Choosing an Eyepiece ..............................................14 Observing By Moving the Telescope Manually ........15 Activate the Arrow Keys ............................................16 Slew Speeds ............................................................16 Observe the Moon ....................................................17 Tracking Objects ......................................................17 Setting the Polar Home Position ........................17 Observe a Star Using Automatic Tracking ..........18 Using Autostar's GO TO Capabilities ..................18 Moving Through Autostar's Menus......................19 Initializing Autostar ..............................................19 Training the Drive ................................................20 Easy Alignment ........................................................21 Go To Saturn ............................................................21 Using the Guided Tour ..............................................22 Basic Autostar Operation................................................23 Autostar Navigation Exercise ....................................23 Entering Data into Autostar ......................................24 Navigating Autostar ..................................................24 Autostar's Menus ............................................................25 Object Menu..............................................................26 Event Menu ..............................................................27 Glossary Menu ..........................................................27 Utilities Menu ............................................................27 Setup Menu ..............................................................28 Useful Autostar Features ................................................32 Adding Observing Sites ............................................32 Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the Libraries....33 Observing Satellites ..................................................34 Landmarks ................................................................34 To Check on Available Memory ................................35 Photography ..................................................................36 Optional Accessories ......................................................37 Maintenance ..................................................................39 Specifications ................................................................45 Appendix A: Celestial Coordinates ................................48 Setting Circles ....................................................48 Locating the Celestial Pole..................................49 One- And Two-Star Polar Alignment....................49 Appendix B: Enhancing Pointing Precision ....................50 The Polar Alignment Viewfinder ..........................50 Axis Alignment Method 1 ....................................50 Axis Alignment Method 2 ....................................53 Appendix C: Latitude Chart ............................................54 Appendix D: EC Handbox ..............................................55 Appendix E: Mounting the Model SC-8 Optical Tube ....59 Appendix F: Basic Astronomy ........................................60 CAUTION: Use care to install batteries in the orientation indicated by the illustration in the battery slots of the battery holder. Follow battery manufacturer's precautions. Do not install batteries backwards or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batteries void your Meade warranty. ® The name "Meade" and the Meade logo are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent Office and in principal countries throughout the world. "LXD55" and "Autostar" are trademarks of Meade Instruments Corporation. "Easy Align" U.S. patent 6,392,799 and other patents pending. Intelligent Network Architecture to Facilitate Parallel Task Management U.S. patent 6,304,376 © 2003 Meade Instruments Corporation. TELESCOPE FEATURES J I Hg f e d C B 1$ 1# 1# 1) 1! 1@ Fig. 1a: The LXD55-Series Telescope Optical Assembly (Schmidt-Newtonian model with Autostar handbox shown; Electronic Controller model users, see Appendix D, page 55). d B 1^ 1% g f e 3% 3^ 3( 4) 3& 3* C H I Fig. 1b: Close up of Focuser and Viewfinder Assembly, Scmidt-Newtonian shown. (See Fig. 1a for overview.) For a close up of the refractor focuser assembly, see Fig. 10b, page 13. Fig. 1c: The LXD55-Series Tripod 4 1& 1* 1( 3$ 3# 3@ 3! 3) 2( 2* 2^ 2! 2@ 2# 2$2% 2^ Fig. 1d: The LXD55-Series Mount. 2& Fig. 1e: The LXD55-Series Computer Control Panel (see 2$ above). 5 LXD55-Series:Your Personal Window to the Universe The Meade LXD55-Series models are versatile, high-resolution telescopes. Supplied with either an Electronic Controller or an Autostar handbox, the LXD55-Series models offer unmatched mechanical and electronic performance. Caution: Using products other than standard Meade accessories may cause damage to the telescope's internal electronics and may void the Meade warranty. The LXD55-Series telescopes reveal nature in an ever-expanding level of detail. Observe the feather structure of an eagle from 50 yards or study the rings of the planet Saturn from a distance of 800 million miles. Focus beyond the Solar System and observe majestic nebulae, ancient star clusters, and remote galaxies. Meade LXD55Series telescopes are instruments fully capable of growing with your interest and can meet the requirements of the most demanding advanced observer. Refer to Figures 1a through 1e for the following features: B C d Want to learn more about the eyepieces available for your LXD55-Series telescope? See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page Eyepiece Thumbscrew: Tightens the eyepiece (see firm feel only. d) in place. Tighten to a Eyepiece Holder: Holds eyepiece in place. Holders supplied for both 1.25" and 2" eyepieces. Diagonal (not shown, achromatic refractor models only): Provides a more comfortable right-angle viewing position. Slide the diagonal directly into the eyepiece holder (see c) and tighten the thumbscrew on the eyepiece holder to a firm feel only. See page 13 for a photo and more information. D ¿ 37. Eyepiece: Place the supplied Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece into the eyepiece holder or the diagonal and tighten in place with the eyepiece thumbscrew (see b). The eyepiece magnifies the image collected in the optical tube. 8 x 50mm (achromatic refractors models) or 6 x 30mm (Schmidt-Newtonian models) Viewfinder: A low-power, wide-field sighting scope with crosshairs that enables easy centering of objects in the telescope eyepiece (see d). Viewfinder Collimation Screws (6): Use these screws to adjust the alignment of the viewfinder. Viewfinder Front Cell and Locking Ring: Adjust the front cell to focus the viewfinder. See step 3, page 14 for more details. The viewfinder is supplied with a small dust cover placed over the front cell. Viewfinder Bracket: Holds the viewfinder in place. Focus Knobs: Moves the telescope's focuser drawtube in a finely-controlled motion to achieve precise image focus. The LXD55-Series telescopes can be focused on objects from a distance of about 75 ft. to infinity. Rotate the focus knobs to focus on objects. Corrector/Dust Cover: Place the dust cover (not visible in photo) over the corrector when storing the telescope. Note: The dust cover should be replaced after each observing session and the power turned off to the telescope. Allow time for any dew that might have collected during the observing session to evaporate prior to replacing the dust cover. e Want to learn more about aligning the viewfinder? See page 14. ´ ² h Want to learn more about attaching the viewfinder? See page 12. ¶ º ¾ 1! Want to learn more about assembling your telescope? See ASSEMBLING YOUR TELESCOPE, 1) 1! 1@ 1# 1$ page 11. Optical Tube: The main optical component that gathers the light from distant objects and brings this light to a focus for examination through the eyepiece. Cradle Assembly: Attaches to mount base. See 1# and 1$. 1@ Autostar: See pages 9 and 10 for a description of features. Cradle Ring Lock Knobs (2) and Washers (2): Slide washers onto lock knobs before inserting. Tighten to a firm feel to secure the optical tube in place. Cradle Rings (2): Part of the cradle assembly (see 1!); hold the optical tube firmly in place. EC Handbox users, see Appendix D, page 55, for more information. 6 1% 1^ Caution When loosening the Dec. lock, be sure to support the optical tube (18, Fig. 1a). The weight of the tube could cause the tube to swing suddenly. Viewfinder Bracket Screws (2): Tighten to a firm feel to hold viewfinder securely in place (see E). See page 12 for more information. Focus Lock Knob: Designed to prevent the focuser drawtube from moving when a heavy accessory, such as a camera, is attached to the focuser assembly. For normal observing with an eyepiece and diagonal, it is not necessary to use the lock knob. Dec. Lock: Controls the manual movement of the telescope. Turning the Dec. lock counterclockwise unlocks the telescope enabling it to be freely rotated by hand about the Dec. axis. Turning the Dec. lock clockwise (to a firm feel only) tightens the lock and prevents the telescope from being moved manually, but engages the Dec. motor drive (see 3$) for Autostar operation. Polar Viewfinder Cap: Remove this cap when using the polar viewfinder (see 2(). Declination (Dec.) Setting Circle: See APPENDIX A, page 48, for more information. Counterweight Shaft Base: Thread, along with the shaft, to the mount. See page 11 for more information. Counterweight and Counterweight Lock Knob: Counterbalances the weight of the optical tube, and adds stability to the mount. Tighten the lock knob on the side of the counterweight to a firm feel to prevent the weight from sliding on the shaft. Counterweight Shaft: Slide the counterweight onto this shaft (see 2!). Counterweight Safety Cap: Prevents the counterweight from accidentally slipping off the end of the counterweight shaft. Computer Control Panel (see Fig. 1e): A. Handbox (HBX) Port: Plug the Autostar or EC handbox coil cord (10, Fig. 2) into this port. B. 12v DC Power Connector: Plug the battery pack into this connector. The telescope assembly also may be powered from either a 12v DC auto cigarette lighter plug using the optional #607 Cigarette Lighter Adaptor or from a standard 115v AC home outlet using the optional #547 Power Adapter with Cable or #547F Power Adapter for 220v outlets. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 38. C. LED: Illuminates when power is supplied to the Autostar or EC handbox and the telescope's motor drive. D. ON/OFF Switch: Turns the Computer Control Panel and Autostar ON or OFF. E. AUX Port: Provides connection for current and future Meade accessories. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 38. F. Dec Port: Plug the coil cord from the Dec. motor assembly into this port for Autostar to control the motor drive. R.A. Motor Drive Assembly: Controlled by Autostar or EC handbox. Moves the optical tube along the R.A. axis. The R.A. Lock (see 3#) must be tightened to a firm feel in order for the R.A. motor to operate. Latitude Adjustment (2): Sets the latitude of your observing location. The two Thandle screws work in a "push - pull" operation--as you tighten one, loosen the other. The T-handle above the star marking on top of one of the tripod legs is the North T-handle screw (South in the Southern Hemisphere). The leg marked with a star must be pointed North (South in the Southern hemisphere) during the polar alignment procedure. Fine Azimuth Control Knobs: Fine tune the side-to-side movement of the telescope when centering Polaris in the telescope eyepiece or when using the polar alignment viewfinder (see 2(). Latitude Dial: Set the latitude of ...