Meade LXD55 Series Instruction Manual
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Meade LXD55 Series Instruction Manual

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Instruction Manual
LXD55-Series Telescopes
Meade Instruments Corporation

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  • Page 1 Instruction Manual LXD55-Series Telescopes Meade Instruments Corporation...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    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 coun- tries throughout the world. "LXD55" and "Autostar" are trademarks of Meade Instruments Corporation.

  • Page 4: Telescope Features

    TELESCOPE FEATURES Fig. 1a: The LXD55-Series Telescope Optical Assembly (Schmidt-Newtonian model with Autostar handbox shown; Electronic Controller model users, see Appendix D, page 55). 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.
  • Page 5 1& 2$2% 2^ Fig. 1d: The LXD55-Series Mount. Fig. 1e: The LXD55-Series Computer Control Panel (see 2& above).
  • Page 6 Observe the feather structure of an eagle from 50 yards or study the rings of the plan- et Saturn from a distance of 800 million miles. Focus beyond the Solar System and observe majestic nebulae, ancient star clusters, and remote galaxies. Meade Series telescopes are instruments fully capable of growing with your interest and can meet the requirements of the most demanding advanced observer.
  • Page 7 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. OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES F. Dec Port: Plug the coil cord from the Dec. motor assembly into this port for Autostar to control the motor drive.
  • Page 8 Check your local newspaper, school, library, or telescope dealer/store to find out if there’s a club in your area. At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy and Meade enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to learn more about observing the sky, to find out where the best observing sites are, and to compare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters, tripods, and so forth.

  • Page 9: Autostar Features

    Take a guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the year. Download the latest satellite data and software revisions directly from the Meade website (www.meade.com) and share software with other Autostar enthusiasts. Requires optional #505 AstroFinder™ Software and Cable Connector Kit. See , page 38.
  • Page 10 Timer and Alarm Status Press MODE again to return to the previous menu. GO TO Key: Press to slew (move) the telescope to the coordinates of the cur- rently selected object. While the telescope is slewing, the operation may be aborted at any time by pressing any key except GO TO.

  • Page 11: Getting Started

    Autostar handbox, detachable coil cord, or Electronic Controller Battery pack and holder Accessories Accessory shelf with mounting knob, hex keys, LXD55-Series T-Adapter (includ- ed with Schmidt-Newtonian models only) How to Assemble Your Telescope The giftboxes contain the optical tube assembly and the tripod with the equatorial mount.
  • Page 12 Also note that below the latitude T-handle screw located directly under the com- puter control panel is a star on top of the tripod leg. At your observing site, set up the telescope assembly so that this leg approximately faces North (or South in the Southern Hemisphere). Model SC-8 users, see 7.

  • Page 13: Balancing The Telescope

    HBX port (A, Fig. 1e). Balancing the Telescope In order for the telescope to be stable on the tripod and also for it to move smoothly, it must be balanced. To balance the telescope, unlock the Right Ascension or R.A.

  • Page 14: Aligning The Viewfinder

    9, page 12. In order for the viewfinder to be useful, it must be aligned to the main telescope, so that both the viewfinder and telescope's optical tube (10, Fig. 1a) point at the same position in the sky.

  • Page 15: Observing By Moving The Telescope Manually

    To calculate eyepiece power, divide the telescope's focal length by the eyepiece's focal length. For example, a 26mm eyepiece is supplied with the LXD55-Series. The focal length of the 8" LXD55- Series model is 812mm (see SPECIFICATIONS Telescope Focal Length ÷...

  • Page 16: Activate The Arrow Keys

    Note: If you go past the "Align: Easy" (or any other menu display you wish to select), press MODE to return to the previous display(s). Press the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to move the telescope up, down, right, or left. You can move the telescope at different speeds.

  • Page 17: Observe The Moon

    See Figs. 16a and 16b. If you have not already done so, lift the telescope assembly and turn it so that the tripod leg marked with a star faces approximately North (South in the Southern Hemisphere).

  • Page 18: Observe A Star Using Automatic Tracking

    Learn how Autostar's keys move through the menus • Initialize Autostar • Place the telescope in the polar home position, if you have not already done so (see SETTING THE POLAR HOME POSITION • Select "Align: Easy" from Autostar's menus Which One’s the Alignment Star?

  • Page 19: Moving Through Autostar's Menus

    Time and Date) the first time you use Autostar or after performing a Reset. Make sure that the telescope is assembled correctly, and that the batteries are installed as described previously. Make sure the On/Off switch (D, Fig. 1e) is in the Off position. Plug Autostar's cord into the HBX port (A, Fig.

  • Page 20: Training The Drive

    Loosen the R.A. and Dec. locks (17 and 33, Fig. 1d) and point the telescope at an object. Then re-tighten the locks. Press ENTER when the telescope is pointing at the desired terrestrial object.

  • Page 21: Easy Alignment

    16. "Center reference object" displays. Center your target object using the Arrow 17. The telescope slews and "Press 18. The telescope slews and "Press V until it is centered" displays. Press the Down Note: Two other alignment methods, One-Star and...

  • Page 22: Using The Guided Tour

    800 million miles from the Earth. Press GO TO. “Saturn: Slewing...” displays and the telescope slews until it finds Saturn. You may need to use the Arrow keys to center Saturn precisely in the eyepiece. Autostar then automatically slews (moves) the telescope so that it tracks Saturn (or whatever other object you may have chosen).

  • Page 23: Basic Autostar Operation

    To Calculate Sunset time: SETUP MENU Select Item: Easy alignment Object permits all telescope operations with only a quick setup. Select Item: Setup MEADE MEADE UTILITIES MENU Calculate eyepiece The Universe of magnifications; Autostar set timer alerts; create your own landmark survey.

  • Page 24: Entering Data Into Autostar

    Algol. One very practical use of the Date and Time menus is to use the Sunset option to determine when you can begin your astronomical observing on any given evening. LXD55 TIPS...
  • Page 25 X... Y... Z... Select Item: Setup Align Easy One Star Two Star Date Time Daylight Saving Telescope Model Focal Length Az/RA Ratio Alt/Dec Ratio Az/RA Percent Alt/Dec Percent Train Drive Tracking Rate Reverse L/R Reverse Up/Dn Calibrate Motor High Precision...

  • Page 26: Object Menu

    GO TO once to change the second line to the name of the bright- est star in the constellation. Press GO TO a second time to slew the telescope to that star. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the list of stars in the constellation, from brightest to dimmest.

  • Page 27: Event Menu

    Meade Moon's shadow. Use the Scroll Up and Down keys to display the available data. LXD55-Series Remember, never use a telescope to look at the Sun! See Telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at Lunar Eclipse lists upcoming Lunar Eclipses, including the date and type (total, par- tial, penumbral) of eclipse.

  • Page 28: Setup Menu

    Cord Wrap moves the telescope in such a way as to prevent the cords and cables attached to your telescope assembly from getting wound around the assembly and tan- gled as the telescope slews to objects.
  • Page 29 Arrow keys move the telescope along the azimuth or R.A. axes. If you enter a value near 100, the telescope tube responds more quickly (it responds immediately at 100%) as you hold down an Arrow key and also slews (moves) the tube more quickly.
  • Page 30 "ENTER to Sync." Center the star in the eyepiece, then press ENTER. At that point the telescope has a high precision alignment to that part of the sky and it then slews to the object that was originally requested.
  • Page 31 NASA, Hubble, HST, astronomy, Messier, satellite, nebula, black hole, variable stars, etc. Check out Meade’s website for the latest product and technical information. You can download the latest software revisions, links to other astronomical sites, coordinates of celestial objects and the latest satellite tracking information for your Autostar handset.

  • Page 32: Useful Autostar Features

    If you plan to observe using Autostar at different geographic locations, you can store up to six observation sites in Autostar's memory to help simplify your telescope setup. Perform these procedures using the Site options (Add, Select, Delete, Edit) of the Setup menu.

  • Page 33: Using Autostar To Find Objects Not In The Libraries

    Check out your local library, com- puter store, or bookstore for astronomy books, CD Roms, or magazines (such as Sky & Telescope or Astronomy), to find coordinates of celestial objects. The objects/coor- dinates you enter become part of your own permanent database, called "User Objects."...

  • Page 34: Observing Satellites

    Satellite orbits change and new satellites (including the Space Shuttle) are launched. Visit the Meade website (www.meade.com) approximately once a month to get updated information and instructions on how to download this data to Autostar. If orbital parameters are more than one month old, the satellite pass may not happen at the time predicted by Autostar.

  • Page 35: To Check On Available Memory

    "Landmark: Add" displays. If you wish to add more landmarks, repeat steps 5 through 7. To Select a landmark from the database Make sure the telescope is located and aligned exactly as when the desired land- mark was entered into memory. Display the "Landmark: Select" menu option. Press ENTER.

  • Page 36: Photography

    Focus the image with extreme care. While observing the subject through the cam- era’s reflex viewfinder, turn the telescope’s focus knob (3, Fig. 22) to achieve the sharpest possible focus. Note that some 35mm cameras may have an optional focusing screen (available from the manufacturer) for use with a long telephoto lens.

  • Page 37: Optional Accessories

    A wide assortment of professional Meade accessories is available for the telescope models. The premium quality of these accessories is well-suited to the qual- ity of the instrument itself. Consult the Meade General Catalog for complete details on these and other accessories.
  • Page 38 Moon and planets. Each filter threads into the barrel of any Meade 1.25" eyepiece, and into the barrels of virtually all other eye- piece brands as well. Meade filters are available in 12 colors for lunar and planetary applications, and in Neutral Density as a lunar glare-reduction filter.
  • Page 39 CCD chips. Operates at four speeds, from extremely slow to fast; accepts both 2" and 1.25" eyepiece barrels. Requires 8 x AAA (user-supplied batteries). Optional #497 Autostar ™ Computer Controller for LXD55 EC Users: One of the most important advances in telescope control in the past 25 years, the Meade Autostar Computer Controller turns your LXD55 EC model into an automatic celestial object locating system.

  • Page 40: Maintenance

    Such re-collimation is not a difficult procedure in any case. The collimation procedure for the Meade Schmidt-Newtonians is slightly different from that of other Newtonian reflecting telescopes, because of the "fast" f/4 to f/5 focal ratio of the primary mirror.
  • Page 41 1. Observe through the focuser and orient your body so that the telescope's primary mirror is to your right, and the correcting plate end of the telescope tube is to your left. The diagonal mirror will appear centered as shown (2, Fig. 31a). If the diagonal appears off center, then adjust the 4 collimation screws on the plastic diagonal mirror housing.
  • Page 42 As part of final optical testing, every Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain is precisely colli- mated 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.
  • Page 43 At this point, look at the front of the telescope where your finger is aiming. It will either be pointing directly at a set screw, or it will be between two set screws aiming at the set screw on the far side of the black plastic secondary mirror sup- port.

  • Page 44: Inspecting The Optics

    LXD55-Series ing or repairs, write or call the Meade Customer Service Department first, before returning the telescope to the factory, giving full particulars as to the nature of the problem, as well as your name, address, and daytime telephone number. The great majority of servicing issues can be resolved by telephone, avoiding return of the tele- scope to the factory.

  • Page 45: Specifications

    Optical design ...Schmidt-Newtonian Clear aperture...6" (152mm) Focal length ...762mm Focal ratio (photographic speed) ...f/5 Resolving power ...0.74 arc secs Coatings ...Meade EMC Super Multi-Coatings Mounting ...Die-cast aluminum Input Voltage ...12v DC Alignment ...German-type equatorial mount Slew Speeds...SN-8: 1x sidereal to 4.5°/sec Tripod ...Variable-height field tripod...
  • Page 46 Clear aperture...10" (254mm) Focal length ...1016mm Focal ratio (photographic speed) ...f/4 Resolving power ...0.45 arc secs Coatings ...Meade EMC Super Multi-Coatings Mounting ...Die-cast aluminum Input Voltage ...12v DC Alignment ...German-type equatorial mount Slew Speeds...1x sidereal to 4.5°/sec in 9 increments Tripod ...Variable-height field tripod...
  • Page 47 Clear aperture...8" (203mm) Focal length ...2000mm Focal ratio (photographic speed) ...f/10 Resolving power ...0.56 arc secs Coatings ...Meade EMC Super Multi-Coatings Mounting ...Die-cast aluminum Input Voltage ...12v DC Alignment ...German-type equatorial mount Slew Speeds...1x sidereal to 4.5°/sec in 9 increments Tripod ...Variable-height field tripod...

  • Page 48: Appendix A: Celestial Coordinates

    Setting circles included with the LXD55-Series tial objects not easily found by direct visual observation. With the telescope pointed at the North Celestial Pole, the Dec. circle (19, Fig. 1d) should read 90° (understood to mean +90°). Each division of the Dec. circle represents a 1° increment. The R.A. cir- cle (31, Fig.

  • Page 49: Locating The Celestial Pole

    Next, loosen the R.A. lock (33, Fig. 1d) and turn the telescope in R.A. to read the correct R.A. coordinate of the object. Tighten the R.A. lock (33, Fig. 1d). If the procedure has been followed carefully, the desired object should now be in the telescopic field of a low-power eyepiece.

  • Page 50: Appendix B: Enhancing Pointing Precision

    GO TO feature of the Autostar handbox, the optical axis of the optical tube must be aligned with the R.A. axis of the mount. In most cases, the telescope will perform adequately without making any adjustments, but performing one of the following alignment methods before the initial use of the telescope, and periodically thereafter, will increase the mount’s pointing accuracy.
  • Page 51 HALFWAY back to the center of the eyepiece. Rotate the telescope 180° in the R.A. axis ONLY, to return the optical tube to posi- tion A. Verify that your target is in the same location in the eyepiece vertically as in the previous step (that is, it is not higher or lower or absent from the eyepiece).
  • Page 52 WITHOUT adjusting the cradle position further, adjust the legs, latitude, and azimuth of the tripod to center the object in the eyepiece again. Rotate the telescope 180° in the R.A. axis ONLY, to return the optical tube to posi- tion A.

  • Page 53: Axis Alignment Method 2

    When the landmark is centered (Step #5), press ENTER. The telescope first moves 180° on the Dec. axis and then rotates 180° on the R.A. axis. Autostar displays "Slewing...". When the telescope has completed the 180° slew, the telescope will be under the mount instead of over it.

  • Page 54: Appendix C: Latitude Chart

    APPENDIX C: LATITUDE CHART Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World To aid in the polar alignment procedure (see pages 17-21), latitudes of major cities around the world are listed below. To determine the lati- tude of an observing site not listed on the chart, locate the city closest to your site. Then follow the procedure below: Northern hemisphere observers (N): If the site is over 70 miles (110 km) north of the listed city, add one degree for every 70 miles.

  • Page 55: Appendix D: Ec Handbox

    , page 16, refers to Autostar functions only. SLEW SPEEDS Arrow Keys: Press one of the four Arrow keys to slew the telescope (i.e., up, down, left, and right) at any one of four slew speeds (see Important Note: If you reverse directions while using the Arrow keys to slew to objects, there may be a slight pause as the telescope motors com- pensate for the reversal of the internal gears.
  • Page 56 Note each slew speed corresponds to one of the four LED's of the Electronic Controller. Light 1 (top LED): The fastest speed. Use to move the telescope quickly from one point in the sky to another.
  • Page 57 For objects, like the Moon or a comet, that move at slightly different rates, the Electronic Controller Arrow keys (1, Fig. 42) are sufficient to move the telescope slightly as the object very slowly moves off-center through the eyepiece field.
  • Page 58 Autostar’s 30,000-object data- base. Best of all, the Meade Autostar is easy to use. Even the most novice observer will locate dozens of fascinating celestial objects the very first night out. Study Saturn and its ring system;...

  • Page 59: Appendix E: Mounting The Model Sc-8 Optical Tube

    How to Attach the Optical Tube to the Mount The LXD55 model SC-8 Schmidt-Cassegrain assembles and operates identically to all the other LXD55 models equipped with an Autostar handbox, with one exception: the optical tube is attached to the mount with a mounting bracket rather than the cra- dle ring assembly.

  • Page 60: Appendix F: Basic Astronomy

    Moon, and our solar system comes from observations made by ama- teur astronomers. So as you look through your Meade in mind Galileo. To him, a telescope was not merely a machine made of glass and metal, but something far more—a window of incredible discovery. Each glimpse offers a potential secret waiting to be revealed.
  • Page 61 Mars is about half the diameter of Earth, and appears through the telescope as a tiny every night. reddish-orange disk. It may be possible to see a hint of white at one of the planet’s Polar ice caps.
  • Page 62 5675 Real del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88012 The Astronomical Society of the Pacific 390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112 The Planetary Society 65 North Catalina Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106 And watch Jack Horkheimer, Star Gazer, on your local PBS station. LXD55 TIPS...
  • Page 64 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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