Meade LX200 Instruction Manual
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Meade LX200 Instruction Manual

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Instruction Manual
200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
16" LX
Meade Instruments Corporation

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  • Page 1 Instruction Manual 200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope 16” LX Meade Instruments Corporation...
  • Page 2 Note that light ray (2) in the figure would be lost entirely, except for the oversize p r i m a r y. This phenomenon results in Meade 16” Schmidt- Cassegrains having off-axis field illuminations 10% greater, aperture-for-aperture, than other Schmidt-Cassegrains utilizing standard-size primary mirrors.
  • Page 3 WARNING! Never use the LX200 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.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    The RS-232 Cable..... . . 51 The LX200 Power Panel ..... 15 LX200 Test Program .

  • Page 5: Introduction

    It eliminates the image rotation caused by altazimuth tracking. IMPORTANT NOTE If you are anxious to use your LX200 for the first time, Terrestrial Operation at the very least be sure to read TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY (page 7),and QUICKSTART (page 9).Thereafter, we urge...

  • Page 6: Standard Equipment

    - 6 - 16” LX200 uses only one motor to track, and in this case Inspecting the Optics Smart Drive corrects for periodic error in one axis only. CAUTION: Serious damage to the drive gears may Smart Drive uses a model of the gear system to perform result from shock in handling.

  • Page 7: Telescope Assembly

    APPENDIX A for instructions on using the telescope in equatorial mode). The equatorial mode permits alignment of t h e The 16” Field Tripod (Figs. 2 and 3) for the Meade 16” LX telescope’s polar axis with the Celestial Pole (or North Star).

  • Page 8: Attaching The 16" Drive Base

    Mounting the Viewfinder Several power and data cords are supplied with the 16” LX The 16” LX200 is supplied as standard equipment with an These should all be attached before powering up the telescope. 8 x 50mm straight-through viewfinder. The bracket for this 1.

  • Page 9: Southern Hemisphere Operation

    The The R.A. slow-motion control knob may be turned, if desired, keypad display (1, Fig. 6) will show MEADE for several with the R.A. lock in a partially locked position. In this way, a seconds as the microprocessor performs a diagnostic self- comfortable drag in R.A.

  • Page 10: Using The Lx In Altaz Mode

    1) SITE Display 2 You can move the LX200 manually with the R.A. and Dec. 2) ALIGN locks released or as described above. When the power is on, use only the N, S, E, and W keys on the keypad hand Press the ENTER key.

  • Page 11: Local Time And Date

    - 11 - g . Use the number keys to enter your longitude as above. When U.S.A.TIME-ZONE SHIFT complete, the display will look like Display 7. TIME STANDARD DAYLIGHT = +33° 35’ ZONE TIME TIME Display 7 LONG = 117° 42’ HAWAII +10 hours +9 hours...
  • Page 12 - 12 - c. Loosen the R.A. lock-knob (2, Fig. 5) and rotate the m. Using the monthly star charts (A P P E N D I X B) pick an telescope so that the R.A. Vernier pointer (4, Fig. 5) and alignment star.

  • Page 13: Mode Key

    NOTE:The 2-star initialization routines apply only to the ALTAZ the two alignment stars. alignment mode (see MODEFUNCTIONS, page 17, for POLAR As described above, the LX200 checks the accuracy of the two and LAND mode initialization). stars and displays Align Mismatch — Check Stars if it detects The first and second options require that you have entered the an error.

  • Page 14: Which Alignment Method To Use

    Direction Keys A red LED flashlight! The N,S,E, and W keys (4, Fig. 7) make the LX200 move, or Within a few minutes of power-up, the keypad becomes warm, slew, in a specific direction. When you enter values, you can which is normal for the system.

  • Page 15: Speed Keys

    NEXT keys for near and far focus. Fig.8: 16” LX200 Power Panel. (1) Current (mAx 300) ammeter; (2) RS-232 port; 3) Field de-rotator port; (4) Focuser port; (5) Reticle port; (6) Keypad port; (7) ON/OFF switch, (8) 12v DC output (fan);...

  • Page 16: On/Off Switch

    CCD electronics located on the optical tube assembly (OTA). This fan evacuates make drive corrections in the LX200, to bring the star to a home the warm air trapped inside the tube, allowing for faster cool- position.

  • Page 17: Mode Functions

    LX200 turned off. move the arrow beside the desired option of ALTAZ, POLAR, You can set the following through the five modes of the LX200 or LAND, and then pressing the ENTER key. The display...
  • Page 18 - 18 - This shows the alignment error that may have been made The LX200 slews at any one of the four speeds (SLEW, during your initial setup. Re-center the Pole Star during FIND, CNTR, and GUIDE), when you press the appropriately each interval using the pier adjustments only (see marked key on the left side of the keypad.
  • Page 19 The HI-PRECISION feature increases the pointing accuracy original setting, press ENTER again. of the LX200 to one arc-minute or better; it also requires the critical alignment described above. This yields the best e. HELP: The HELP menu selection of the TELESCOPE file is...

  • Page 20: Object Library Menu File

    Otherwise stars will appear as ovals instead of pinpoints. Do E N T E R. Begin making drive corrections immediately by this by setting the LX200 keypad to the GUIDE speed, pressing any of the direction (N, S, E, W) keys to keep the star monitoring the star location (e.g., with an off-axis guider), and...
  • Page 21 This object is selected by the LX200, based on where the instrument is pointing in the sky when you entered START FIND. To point your LX200 to the object displayed, press the GO TO key; it will slew to the object. Display 31 While in the START FIND option, you can either choose the next object in line or skip it.
  • Page 22 Horizon quality is poor due to haze or light pollution, you can set an artificial horizon level. Your LX200 will not try to find Zenith objects below your setting. Size...

  • Page 23: Mode 2: Coordinates/Go To

    The GO TO menu option lets you enter new R.A. and Dec. equals 156x magnification). Then find the apparent field coordinates of any object in the sky, so that the LX200 will of the eyepiece (which is 52° for the 26mm Super Plössl) and divide it by the magnification (52 divided by 156 slew to the new position.

  • Page 24: Mode 4: Timer/Freq

    Keys closer to a The FREQ (Frequency) option lets you adjust the tracking LED are a little brighter than keys further away. speed (not slew speed) of the LX200 digitally in tenths of a FREQ RATE DESCRIPTION...

  • Page 25: Apparent Field And Actual Field

    16” telescope. In daytime, when your pupil is reduces to Apparent Field, the field of view that your eye perceives avoid glare, the minimum practical power with the 16” LX200 through an eyepiece, depends on eyepiece design. increases to about 120X.

  • Page 26: Appendix A: Equatorial Use

    In mapping the surface of the Earth, lines of longitude are drawn The 16” LX200 is designed to be mounted to a permanent pier for between the North and South Poles. Similarly, lines of latitude are equatorial use. Since this type of installation is permanent, it is drawn in an east-west direction, parallel to the Earth’s Equator.

  • Page 27: Precise Polar Alignment

    Polaris Precise polar alignment requires a crosshair eyepiece. The Meade illuminated-reticle eyepiece is well suited in this application, but you will want to increase the eff e c t i v e magnification with a 2x or 3x Barlow lens. Use the following drift method: a.

  • Page 28: Star Charts

    LX200 ALIGNMENT STAR LIBRARY AND STAR CHARTS: Alignment Stars The LX200 utilizes the following 33 bright, well known stars to These stars were selected to enable observers, from anywhere calibrate the telescope’s object library in the ALTAZ and in the world and on any given night, to make precision POLAR alignments.

  • Page 29: Star Charts

    - 29 - Star Charts (for Northern Hemisphere Observers) SOUTHEAST SOUTH January 7:00 to 9:00 February 7:00 to 9:00 SOUTHWEST NORTH March 7:00 to 9:00 April 7:00 to 9:00 NORTH NORTH May 7:00 to 9:00 June 7:00 to 9:00...
  • Page 30 - 30 - NORTH NORTH July 7:00 to 9:00 August 7:00 to 9:00 NORTH NORTH September 7:00 to 9:00 October 7:00 to 9:00 NORTHWEST SOUTHEAST November 7:00 to 9:00 December 7:00 to 9:00...

  • Page 31: Appendix C: 64,359- Object Library

    The following guide to VQs was used in the visual observation process: LX200 64,359-OBJECT LIBRARY The LX200 64,359-object library is a collection of the most SUPER Very bright object with very interesting studied and wonderful objects in the sky. The library includes: shape or structure.

  • Page 32: About The Ic Catalog

    The Planet Catalog bottom of this page. Variable stars from the GCVS are entered The LX200 calculates the orbital positions of the eight major using a six digit number. The first two digits refer to the planets for the current calendar date. To access a planet, use constellation where the variable star is located.

  • Page 33: The Cngc Catalog

    The CNGC Catalog CNGC# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 0045 00 14.0 -23 10 10.4 GALAXY S- IV-V UGC A4 c 5 ST 8.1x5.8 0055 00 15.1 -39 13 1944 GALAXY SBm: PEC EMISSION b 5 ST 32.4x6.5 0104 00 24.1...
  • Page 34 CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 1746 05 03.6 +23 49 2520 6.1p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST 1763 04 56.8 -66 24 1500 OPEN CLUS + ENEB IN LMC B F S 1807 05 10.7 +16 32...
  • Page 35 CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 2437 07 41.9 -14 49 1620 6.1v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 2437 C 1 ST M46 5400ly (+CNGC 2438 PN) 2447 07 44.6 -23 52 1320 6.2v OPEN CLUS + DNEB CNGC 2447...
  • Page 36 CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 4349 12 24.2 -61 54 7.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST 4374 12 25.1 +12 53 GALAXY E1 UGC 7494 C 5 ST M84 5.0x4.4 Near M86 4382 12 25.5 +18 11...
  • Page 37 CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 5927 15 28.0 -50 40 8.3v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST 5986 15 46.1 -37 46 7.1v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST 6025 16 03.7 -60 30 5.1v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST...
  • Page 38 CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 6523 18 03.2 -24 23 5400 OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O5 CNGC 6523 B 6 ST M8 Lagoon Nebula 5100ly 6530 18 04.8 -24 20 4.6v OPEN CLUS + ENEB b 6 ST In M8 = Lagoon Nebula...
  • Page 39 - 39 - CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 6981 20 53.5 -12 33 9.4v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6981 D 2 ST 6994 20 59.0 -12 37 8.9p OPEN CLUS CNGC 6994 D 1 ST 7000 21 01.8...

  • Page 40: The Star Catalog

    The Star Catalog STAR# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 00 08.3 +29 06 2.1v STAR B8.5p IV:(Hg+Mn) Alpha And 8 ST Alpheratz 00 09.2 +59 10 2.3v STAR F2 III-IV Beta Cas 8 ST Caph 00 13.2 +15 12 2.8v...
  • Page 41 The Star Catalog (continued) STAR# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS * 61 06 22.9 +22 31 2.8v STAR M3 IIIab Mu Gem 8 ST Tejat Posterior * 62 06 22.7 -17 58 2.0v STAR B1 II-III Beta CMa 8 ST Murzim...
  • Page 42 The Star Catalog (continued) STAR# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS *121 12 26.6 -63 06 1.3v STAR B0.5 IV + B1 Vn Alpha Cru A 9 ST Acrux A B=1.7 *122 12 26.7 -63 07 1.7v STAR B1 Vn + B0.5 IV Alpha Cru B...
  • Page 43 The Star Catalog (continued) STAR# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS *181 16 41.3 +31 36 2.8v STAR G1 IV + G7 V Zeta Her AB 9 ST B=5.5 *182 16 48.7 -69 02 1.9v STAR K2 IIb - IIIa Alpha TrA 8 ST Artia...
  • Page 44 The Star Catalog (continued) STAR# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS *241 22 05.8 -00 19 3.0v STAR G2 Ib Alpha Aqr 8 ST Sadalmelik *242 22 08.3 -46 58 1.7v STAR B7 IV Alpha Gru 8 ST Al Nair *243...
  • Page 45 The Star Catalog (continued) STAR# SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS *301 12 26.6 -63 06 STAR 1.6:2.1 @114 Alpha Cru 9 ST 1943 White:White *302 12 35.1 +18 22 STAR 5.2:6.8 @271 ADS 8600 9 ST 1963 Yellow:vBlue *303 12 41.7...

  • Page 46: The M (Messier) Catalog

    The M (Messier) Catalog SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 05 34.5 +22 01 PLAN NEB EMIS SN REM CNGC 1952 B 4 ST M1 Crab Nebula 4kly 21 33.5 -00 50 6.5v GLOB CLUS sp=F4 CNGC 7089 C 2 ST M2 40kly...
  • Page 47 The M (Messier) Catalog (continued) SIZE TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS M 61 12 22.0 +04 28 GALAXY Sc I 2-SYS UGC 7420 D A ST M61 6.0x5.5 Face-On M 62 17 01.3 -30 07 6.6v GLOB CLUS OBLATE CNGC 6266 D 2 ST...

  • Page 48: Appendix D: Maintaining Your Lx200

    Change tissues often. C AU T I O N : A ny time the LX200 is being stored or Sprayer bottles are a convenient dispenser of lens-cleaning transported, be sure to release the R.A. and Dec. locks, solutions onto the tissues.

  • Page 49: Collimation (Alignment) Of The Optical System

    (2, Fig. 16), in the direction that the darker shadow is offset To check the collimation of your LX200, center a bright star that in the ring of light.

  • Page 50: Right Ascension (R.a.) Lock

    After a period of time, it is possible that the R.A. lock (6, Fig. 1) how to use it. of the LX200 will not tighten sufficiently due to internal wear of the clutch mechanism. In such an event, remove the R.A. lock Product returned without the RGA number may greatly delay lever, using one of the hex wrenches supplied with the telescope.

  • Page 51: Appendix E: Lx200 Personal Computer Control

    LX200 command set 80 IF key1$ = CHR$(101) THEN GOSUB 200: REM "e" key LX200 DEMO, which is a program that you can enter into your 90 IF key1$ = CHR$(110) THEN GOSUB 200: REM "n" key computer to access the object library, slew to the object, and 100 IF key1$ = CHR$(115) THEN GOSUB 200: REM "s"...

  • Page 52: Lx200 Command Set

    To stop, press the space bar on the PC keyboard. Press X to exit the program. Example If the LX200 does not respond to the N, S, E, or W keys, be sure Range 00* - 90* the CAPSLOCK is OFF. If it still does not work, check the PC Higher parameter (degrees).

  • Page 53: Telescope Motion

    Command :Gt# 4. Home Position Returns sDD*MM# Command :hS# Gets the latitude of the currently selected site. Returns Nothing Command :St sDD*MM# Starts a home position search and saves the telescope Returns position. NOTE:All commands except “:Q#”and “:h?#”are Sets the latitude of the currently selected site. disabled during the search.

  • Page 54: Miscellaneous

    Command :Sh DD# Command :Ls N# Returns Returns Sets the current “higher” limit. Sets the STAR object library type . 0 is the STAR library, 1 is the SAO library, and 2 is the GCVS library. This Command :Go# operation is successful only if the user has a version of the Returns DD*# software that includes the desired librar y.

  • Page 55: Lx200 Demo Program

    It is not a polished program; it does not incorporate all the RS-232 features available. The LX200 Demo Program is set up to operate on serial port 2 (COM2:). To operate on serial port 1 (COM1:), change line 4 from COM2: to COM1:.
  • Page 56 - 56 - telpos: LOCATE 6, 7: PRINT "TELESCOPE POSITION"; c$ = "#:GR#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(8, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3): RAM$ = MID$(d$, 4, 4): LOCATE 7, 10: PRINTUSING "RA: \\:\ \"; RAL$; RAM$; c$ = "#:GD#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(7, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3): RAM$ = MID$(d$, 5, 2): LOCATE 8, 10: PRINT "DEC: ";...
  • Page 57 - 57 - status: LOCATE 1, 7: PRINT "SITE" c$ = "#:Gt#": PRINT#1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(7, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3): RAM$ = MID$(d$, 5, 2): LOCATE 2, 3: PRINT "Lat. : "; RAL$; CHR$ (248); RAM$; "'"; c$ = "#:Gg#": PRINT#1, c$;...
  • Page 58 - 58 - drawbox: LOCATE BOXSTX, BOXSTY: BOX$ = CHR$(201) FOR I = 1 TO BOXWIDE: BOX$ = BOX$ + CHR$(205): NEXT PRINT BOX$; RETURN help: LOCATE 14, 10: PRINT "E W N S keys move telescope. SPACE BAR stops."; LOCATE 15, 10: PRINT "M key to enter Messier object.";...

  • Page 59: Appendix F: Lx200 Specifications

    Field Tripod Accessories Shipping Weights (approx) Telescope 250# Equatorial Wedge (optional) Super Wedge (optional) NOTE: All Meade telescopes are under continuous technical Field Tripod review; specifications may change without notice. We reser ve Accessories the right to ship our latest models.
  • Page 60 ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase in the U.S.A. and Canada. Meade will repair or replace a product, or part thereof, found by Meade to be defective, provided the defective part is returned to Meade, freight-prepaid, with proof of purchase.

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