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LX10 Electric Decl i n a t i o n
Motor: During long-exposure
astrophotography
the
observer must correct for
minor changes in telescope
position, in order that the
telescope remains precisely
pointed at the object being
photographed. The standard-
equipment LX10 hand con-
troller permits these corrections in Right Ascension; for
correction in Declination the optional LX10 Electric Declination
Motor plugs into the telescope's control panel and includes a
reduction gear system that results in 2x Declination slow-
motion speed. The electric Declination Motor attaches in a few
minutes to the telescope and may remain permanently affixed
thereafter.
Magellan
Telescope Computer
System: Attached to the 8" LX10
telescope,
the
Magellan
Telescope Computer permits the
quick (10 to 15 second) location of
any object in the sky from its
catalogued coordinates, or call up
any of more than 12,000 sky
objects in Magellan's database.
Specify Model #2014 Magellan for
the 8" LX10.
#62
T- A d a p t e r :
The
T-
Adapter is the basic means
of prime-focus photography
through all Meade Schmidt-
Cassegrain models. Thread
the T-Adapter on to the rear
cell
of
your
telescope,
followed by a T-Mount for
your 35mm camera, and the
camera body is thereby
rigidly coupled to the telescope.
Off-Axis Guider: The Off-
Axis
Guider
provides
a
means during long-exposure
astrophotography for
the
photographer to monitor the
tracking of the telescope, to
assure that the telescope
remains precisely positioned
on
the
object
being
photographed.
Like
the
T-A d a p t e r,
the
Off - A x i s
Guider couples the camera
body to the telescope but it also causes a small amount of the
guidestar's incoming light to be diverted at a right angle, where
the star's position can be examined for tracking errors with an
illuminated reticle eyepiece; position corrections can then be
effected using the telescope's keypad hand controller.
#541 AC Adapter: The optional #541 AC Adapter permits
powering of the telescope via a standard household (115v.AC)
electrical outlet. Requires #607 Power Cord.
#607 Power Cord: Powering the LX10 telescope by means of
an automobile cigarette lighter plug requires the #607 Power
Cord. With this 25 ft. cord the LX10 may be powered for a full
night's observing without risk of car-battery drain.
- 16 -
TELESCOPE
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING
1. General Maintenance
The LX10 is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a
lifetime of rewarding applications. Given the care and respect
due any precision instrument, the LX10 will rarely, if ever,
require factory servicing. Maintenance guidelines include:
a.
Avoid cleaning the telescope's optics: a little dust on the
front surface of the telescope's correcting lens causes
virtually no degradation of image quality and should not be
considered reason to clean the lens.
b.
When absolutely necessary, dust on the front lens should
be removed with gentle strokes of a camel hair brush or
blown off with an ear syringe (available at any pharmacy).
DO NOT use a commercial photographic lens cleaner.
c.
Organic materials (e.g., fingerprints) on the front lens may
be removed with a solution of 3 parts distilled water to 1
part isopropyl alcohol. You may also add 1 drop of
biodegradable dishwashing soap per pint of solution. Use
soft, white facial tissues and make short, gentle strokes.
Change tissues often.
CAUTION: Do not use scented or lotioned tissues or
damage could result to the optics.
d.
Do not, for any reason, remove the correcting plate
from its machined housing for cleaning or other
purposes. You will almost certainly not be able to
replace the corrector in its proper rotational orienta-
tion and serious degradation of optical performance
will result.Meade Instruments assumes no liability for
damage incurred to the telescope in this way.
e.
If the LX10 is used outdoors on a humid night, water
condensation on the telescope surfaces will probably
result. While such condensation does not normally cause
any damage to the telescope, it is recommended that the
entire telescope be wiped down with a dry cloth before the
telescope is packed away. Do not, however, wipe any of
the optical surfaces. Rather, simply allow the telescope to
sit for some time in the warm indoor air, so that the wet
optical surfaces can dry unattended.
f.
If the LX10 is not to be used for an extended period,
perhaps for one month or more, it is advisable to remove
the batteries from inside the control panel. Batteries left in
the power panel for prolonged periods may leak, causing
damage to the telescope's electronic circuitry.
g.
Do not leave the LX10 inside a sealed car on a warm
summer day; excessive ambient temperatures can
damage the telescope's internal lubrication and electronic
circuitry.
h.
A set of four hex wrenches is provided with the LX10 in the
following sizes: 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", and 5/32".
2. Collimation
The optical collimation (alignment) of any astronomical
telescope used for serious purposes is important, but in the
case of the Schmidt-Cassegrain design of the 8" LX10, such
collimation is absolutely essential for good performance. Take
special care to read and understand this section well so that
your LX10 will give you the best optical performance.
As part of final optical testing, every Meade Schmidt-
Cassegrain is precisely collimated at the Meade factory before
shipment; however, vibrations in shipping can cause the optical
system to become misaligned. Re-aligning the optics is,
however, a straightforward process.
To check the collimation of your LX10, center a bright star that
is overhead, or use a "hot spot" of reflected sunlight from a
chrome car bumper, with the supplied 25mm eyepiece. Allow
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