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THE VIEWFINDER
The LX10, as with almost all astronomical telescopes, presents
a fairly narrow field of view to the observer. As a result it is
sometimes difficult to locate and center objects in the
telescope's field of view. The viewfinder, by contrast, is a low-
power, wide-field sighting scope with crosshairs that enable the
easy centering of objects in the main telescope's field.
Standard equipment with the LX10 is a viewfinder of 6-power
and 30mm aperture, called an "6 x 30mm viewfinder."
The LX10 viewfinder, unlike most telescope viewfinders,
presents a correctly oriented image, both up-and-down and
left-to-right. This orientation particularly facilitates the location
of terrestrial objects. The 6 x 30mm viewfinder is also a
tremendous aid in locating faint astronomical objects before
their observation in the main telescope.
1. Focusing the Viewfinder
The LX10 viewfinder has been factory pre-focused to objects
located at infinity. Individual eye variations, however, may
require that the viewfinder be re-focused for your eye. Prior to
installing the viewfinder in the viewfinder bracket (4, Fig. 7),
check the focus by looking through the viewfinder. Point the
viewfinder at a distant object; if the viewfinder image is not
sufficiently in focus for your eye, it may be re-focused as
follows:
a.
Loosen the knurled lock-ring (3, Fig. 7) located near the
viewfinder's objective (front) lens (1, Fig. 7). Unthread this
ring (counterclockwise, as seen from the eyepiece-end of
the viewfinder) by several full turns.
b.
Focus the viewfinder by rotating the objective lens cell
(1,Fig. 7) in one direction or the other, until distant objects
observed through the viewfinder appear sharp. One or
two rotations of the viewfinder lens have a significant
effect on image focus.
c.
Once correct focus is reached, lock the focus in place by
threading the knurled lock-ring snugly c l o ckwise u p
against the viewfinder's lens cell.
d.
Place the viewfinder into the viewfinder bracket (4, Fig. 7)
on the main telescope. Gently tighten the six alignment
screws (5, Fig. 7), then proceed with alignment of the
viewfinder.
2. Alignment of the Viewfinder
In order for the viewfinder to be useful, it must first be aligned
with the main telescope, so that both the viewfinder and the
main telescope are pointing at precisely the same place. To
align the viewfinder follow this procedure:
a.
The viewfinder bracket (4, Fig. 7) includes six alignment
screws (5, Fig. 7). Turn the 3 rear-most alignment screws
so that the viewfinder tube is roughly centered within the
viewfinder bracket, as viewed from the eyepiece-end of
the telescope.
N OT E : Do not ove rtighten the alignment screw s. W h e n
tightening one screw it may be necessary to loosen one of the
two other screws.
b.
Using the 25mm eyepiece, point the main telescope at
some easy-to-find, well-defined land object, such as the
top of a telephone pole. Center the object precisely in the
main telescope's field and engage the R.A. Lock and Dec
Lock so that the object can not move in the field.
c.
While looking through the viewfinder, turn one or more of
the 3 front-most viewfinder alignment screws until the
crosshairs of the viewfinder point at precisely the same
position as the main telescope.
Re-check that the viewfinder's crosshairs and the main
telescope are now pointing at precisely the same object. The
viewfinder is now aligned to the main telescope. Unless the
alignment screws are disturbed, the viewfinder will remain
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aligned indefinitely.
3. Using the Viewfinder
To locate any object, terrestrial or astronomical, first center the
object in the crosshairs of the viewfinder; the object will then
also be centered in the field of the main telescope.
Note:If you intend to use higher observing magnifications, first
locate, center, and focus the object using a low-power eyepiece
(e.g., the 25mm eyepiece). Objects are easier to locate and
center at low powers; higher power eyepieces may then be
employed simply by changing eyepieces.
THE EQUATORIAL WEDGE
The standard-equipment equatorial wedge permits the use of
the LX10 in an astronomical, or "equatorial", mode. The wedge
accepts the drive base of the LX10 fork mount.
C AU T I O N : N ever attempt to observe through the
telescope without the telescope being attached to a
suitable tripod,such as by placing the telescope-with-
w e d ge - o n ly on a tabl e t o p . In such a case the
telescope may become seriously imbalanced, to the
point where it may actually tip over.
The Meade equatorial wedge is of modern design, with several
important features incorporated to facilitate observations with
the LX10.
4
Fig.11: The Equatorial Wedge. (1) Tilt plate; (2) Wedge body;
(3) Tilt angle adjustment lock; (4) 3" manual knob.
After you have used the wedge, you will learn how its functional
design features enhance your ability to operate the telescope.
These design features include:
— Attachment of the wedge to the field tripod by means of only
one manual knob (4, Fig. 11).
— Quick azimuth (horizontal) orientation of the telescope, by
loosening the 3" manual knob (4, Fig. 11).
— Fast adjustment of latitude angle with the tilt angle
adjustment lock (3, Fig. 11).
The importance of these features will be made clear below.
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