Related Manuals for Meade LT ACF Series
Summary of Contents for Meade LT ACF Series
- Page 1 Instruction Manual LT ACF and LT SC Series Telescopes with AutoStar #497 Hand Controller...
- Page 2 WARNING! Never Meade Series ® Telescope look 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.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
LT Series Tips ......22 Meade DoC .......50 AutoStar Operation AutoStar Navigation Exercise . -
Page 4: A Solid Telescope Built For A Lifetime Of Service
Here are a few of the features that set the Meade LT Series telescope system apart from all others. -
Page 5: Getting Started
GETTING STARTED You may want to perform the LT telescope assembly indoors in the light so that you become familiar with the parts and operation before moving the telescope outside into the dark for observing. This Getting Started Guide assumes you are too impatient to read the entire manual first and want to use your new telescope as quickly as possible. Just follow the simple steps below and you will be up and running before you know it. It is best to set up the telescope in twilight or before sunset the first time you use it. Take the telescope and Lock-Knob... -
Page 6: Mounting The Tripod
Improperly installed Carefully screw the three attachment thumb-screws batteries void your Meade warranty. Always remove on the bottom of the plate to the base of the tripod. the batteries if they will not be used for a long period Hand tighten the screws so the telescope cannot spin of time. -
Page 7: Attaching Accessories
Attaching Accessories Your Telescope is now Fully Assembled Now remove the dust cover from the front of the telescope tube. Be careful not to touch the glass lens. Be sure the telescope master power switch is in the off position. Remove the LT Series handbox and the coiled interface cable from the packing materials. -
Page 8: Using The Red Dot Finder
Using the Red Dot Finder Adjusting the Red Dot Finder On/Off & Brightness Adjustment Because your telescope has so much magnifi cation, The Red Dot Finder has been aligned at the factory, its fi eld of view is very small. This can make it but you may need to touch-up the alignment from time hard to know exactly where your telescope is to time. To do this, look through the eyepiece of your... -
Page 9: Aligning The Lt Series
Aligning the LT Series As the Earth rotates beneath the night sky, the stars North appear to move from East to West. The speed at which the stars move is called the sidereal rate. You can setup your telescope to move at the sidereal rate so that it automatically tracks the stars and other objects in the night sky. If the telescope is not Telescope... -
Page 10: Moving Through Autostar's Menus
Initializing AutoStar countries, states, and provinces. Press ENTER when the correct location displays. This section describes how to initialize AutoStar. d. The next screen asks for the city (listed Perform this procedure the first time you use AutoStar alphabetically) closest to the observing site. or after performing a RESET (see “RESET” page 30). Use the Scroll keys to scroll through the list 1. Verify that AutoStar is properly connected to of cities. Press ENTER when the correct city your telescope. -
Page 11: Easy (Two-Star) Align
Easy (Two-Star) Align alternate star by pressing either one of the two Scroll Keys. Repeat procedure for the second The fastest and easiest way to locate objects with alignment star. Autostar’s GO TO capabilities is to use Easy Align. When the procedure is performed correctly, “Alignment Autostar automatically picks two stars from its database Successful” displays. If Autostar does not display this for the Easy Align procedure. During this procedure, message, perform this procedure again. Autostar slews the telescope to a first alignment star. -
Page 12: Go To Saturn
Go To Saturn Using the Guided Tour After performing the Easy Alignment procedure, the This example demonstrates using “Tonight’s Best” motor drive begins operating and the telescope is Guided Tour. aligned for a night of viewing. Objects in the eyepiece 1. After observing Saturn, press mode twice so should maintain their position even though the Earth is that “Select Item: Object” displays again. -
Page 13: Key Features Identified On The Telescope
Diagonal Eyepiece Holder Diagonal Prism Computer Control Panel 1.25” Eyepiece Holder Red Dot Finder Eyepiece Holder Thumb Screw Red Dot Finder Alignment Screws Eyepiece Handbox Storage Cradle Single Fork Arm Mount AutoStar Suite Software Disc ... - Page 14 Diagonal Thumbscrew Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) Focus Knob Computer Control Panel A. Handbox (HBX) Port B. LED C. ON/OFF Switch D. Auxiliary (AUX) Port E. 12v Power Connector Dust Cover Battery Compartment Figure 2: LT Series Right Side D. A. B. C. Figure 4: LT Series Computer Control Panel Figure 3: LT Series Front...
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Page 15: Telescope
A. Handbox (HBX) Port: Plug the AutoStar coil cord (Pg 19, Fig. 5, 10) into this port. B. LED: The red power indicator light illuminates when power is applied to the telescope. C. ON/OFF Switch: Turns the Computer Control Panel and AutoStar ON or OFF D. Auxiliary (AUX) Port (2): Provides connection for Meade accessories. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 16. E. 12v Power Connector: Provides connection so that the telescope assembly may be powered from either a 12v DC auto cigarette light plug or from a standard 115v AC home outlet. -
Page 16: Optional Meade® Accessories
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES Meade makes a complete line of accessories to enable 26mm eyepiece, which gives a wide 53 ARC Minute you to get the most fun and performance from your (just a little less than 1 degree) field of view with 59x LT Series telescope. No matter what you want to magnification. This is a very good all purpose eyepiece accomplish, we have the equipment to help you get for your telescope, but you should consider buying there. - Page 17 The Series 5000 Premium Eyepieces represent the highest level of eyepiece technology. Featuring advanced lens designs with 5, 6 and 7 elements, super fully multi-coated lenses and some of the widest fields of view available, they provide the user with the highest-contrast, pinpoint-sharp images and spectacular wide field views of the heavens. They are made to the same high quality standards as the primary optics in your LT Series telescope and allow you to get...
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Page 18: Power Supplies
PC, download updates, create custom tours and more. Focal Reducers USB to Serial Bridge Cable. Allows you to use Accessories at Meade.com. Now you can order all #505 or #506 cables above to connect to a USB port. these and more accessories or any Meade products Driver software included. Windows 98, ME, 2000, and right from the Meade Web Site www.meade.com and XP compatible. -
Page 19: Autostar #497 Handbox - Basic Usage Buttons, Display And Their Functions
30,000 objects stored in the database or (Altitude - Azimuth, or vertical - horizontal) for manually enter the astronomical coordinates of fully automatic tracking of celestial objects. any celestial object. • 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. - Page 20 The AutoStar Computer Controller provides control • Date of virtually every telescope function within a compact • Site coordinates handbox. AutoStar has soft-touch keys designed to • Local Time and Local Sidereal Time (LST) have a positive feel. The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is backlit with a red LED (Light Emitting Diode) for • Timer and Alarm Status easy viewing in the dark. The backlit display, key •...
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Page 21: Observing Using Autostars' Keys
appropriate key shown below. essentially an on-screen instruction manual. Nine available speeds are: If you have a question about an AutoStar operation, e.g., INITIALIZATION, ALIGNMENT, Number Key “1” = 1x (Guide) etc., hold down the ? key and follow the directions Number Key “2” = 2x that scroll on the second line of the LCD screen. Number Key “3” = 8x When a word appears in [brackets], press ENTER Number Key “4” = 16x... -
Page 22: Observe The Moon
the telescope up, down, right, or left. If you wish to observe a distant land object, such as a mountain top or a bird, you want to use your telescope 4. Press a Number key (Pg. 19, Fig. 5, 6) to in its Terrestrial Observing mode. To start up the change the telescope’s slew speed. See Slew telescope in Terrestrial mode: Speeds, on pg 20 for more information. -
Page 23: Autostar Operation
AutoStar Operation Important Note: No matter how many levels into AutoStar are traveled, each press of the MODE key moves up a level, until the top level, “Select Item”, is reached. Once in the Select Item level, press MODE to return to the topmost level, “Select Item: Object”. AutoStar Navigation Exercise To demonstrate how the AutoStar menu structure works, the following exercise calculates Sunset time so an evening observing session can be planned. -
Page 24: Entering Data Into Autostar
Entering Data into AutoStar The telescope comes pre-loaded with: • “Tonight’s Best”, a selection of the most • To enter numbers and text: interesting objects visible on any night. a) Use the Number keys, or • “A Star’s Life”, tours how stars are formed, b) Use the Arrow keys to scroll through numbers created, changes through their lives and finally 0 - 9 and the alphabet. The Down Arrow key die using examples that are visible tonight. -
Page 25: Autostar Menu Tree
AutoStar #497 MENU TREE Figure 11: The AutoStar #497 Menu Tree... -
Page 26: Event Menu
Star is a database of stars listed in different categories 2. S croll through the Object menu options until the such as named, double, variable, or nearby. “Object: Identify” screen appears. Important Note: When you are looking at descriptive 3. P ress ENTER. AutoStar searches the database for object text, pressing “ENTER” will synchronize the the identity of the object being observed. -
Page 27: Glossary Menu
of eclipse. Use the Scroll Up and Down keys to display • Start/Stop: Activates the timer set previously. the available data. Use the Scroll keys to toggle between ON and OFF. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to Min. (Minimum) of Algol is the minimum brightness activate the timer. When the timer runs out, four of the dramatic eclipsing binary star system, Algol. It is beeps sound and the timer is deactivated. -
Page 28: Setup Menu
Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts Telescope accesses the several options, including: down AutoStar and the telescope without forgetting its • Model: Allows you to select the telescope alignment. With “Sleep Scope” selected, press ENTER model connected to AutoStar. to activate the Sleep function. AutoStar goes dark, but • Focal Length: Displays the focal length of the the internal clock keeps running. Press any key, except selected telescope. ENTER, to re-activate AutoStar and the telescope. - Page 29 • Reverse L/R reverses the functions of the Left If “Terrestrial” is selected, the tracking motor is and Right Arrow keys (i.e., the Right key moves turned off. the telescope to the left). Site provides access to several options including: • Reverse UP/DOWN reverses the functions of • Select: Displays the currently selected the Up and Down Arrow keys (i.e., the Up key observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle moves the telescope down).
- Page 30 • Software: Sends only the basic AutoStar software. This is useful if one user has downloaded a new version of AutoStar software from the Meade website (www.meade.com) and wants to pass this software along to friends. • All: Everything – user-defined information and AutoStar software – is sent to another AutoStar.
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Page 31: Advanced Autostar Features
Advanced AutoStar Features Adding Observing Sites press ENTER so that the site is added to your observing sites list. Choosing a site already If you plan to observe using AutoStar at different on the list (as opposed to using the “Custom” geographic locations, you can store up to six feature) makes it easier to edit, as the “Time observation sites in AutoStar’s memory to help simplify Zone”... -
Page 32: Finding Objects Not In The Database
Using AutoStar to Find Objects Not in 6. “Right Asc.: 00.00.0” displays. Use the Number the Database keys to enter the digits for the Right Ascension coordinate of your object. When you are In this procedure, you will enter coordinates of celestial finished, press ENTER. objects that do not appear in any of the AutoStar 7. “Declination: + 00°.00’” d isplays. U se t he N umber database lists. You will enter the object’s name and keys to enter the digits for the Declination R.A. and Dec. coordinates (required information). -
Page 33: How To Create Your Own Guided Tour
• A PC with text editor or word processing satellite track. When the track clears the software installed (the tour must be saved as a obstruction, press ENTER again to pause the “text only” or as a “MS-DOS text” file). telescope, then continue with this procedure. • The Meade #505 Cable Connector Kit to 9. With about 20 seconds left on the countdown download tour information to the AutoStar timer, start watching through the telescope handbox. Viewfinder (Pg. 13, Fig. 1, 13) for the satellite Tour Modes to enter the field of view. -
Page 34: Writing A Tour
If quotation marks are to be displayed in the on-screen description, use two quote marks at the beginning and end of the desired phrase. For example: “The / Extreme Object Orion Nebula is considered “awesome” by many who / (c) 2009 Meade Instruments Corporation view it”. Writing a Tour Command Line Using the list of commands listed above, a custom This line contains programming commands, including: tour can be created. Placing the word AUTO SELECT R.A. and DEC. coordinates, a title string, a description... - Page 35 NGC xxxx information about the satellite from its database. For example: SATELLITE: “Intl Space Stn” Enter NGC followed by the desired New General Catalog number and AutoStar provides the user with a description of the object from its database. For ASTEROID “name” example: NGC 4256 Enter ASTEROID and then the name of the desired asteroid in quotes. AutoStar displays information IC xxxx about the asteroid from its database. For example:...
- Page 36 STAR “name” There are no bright globular” “clusters visible at this time”. Enter STAR followed by the name of the desired star in quotes. For example: STAR “Vega” PICK END AUTO SLEW ON / AUTO SLEW OFF LANDMARK az alt “title” “description” With AUTO SLEW ON enabled in the tour, AutoStar automatically slews the telescope to objects first before Enter the azimuth (az) for the desired object in displaying the text description. This feature is useful the following format: xxxdxxmxxs. For example: when designing tours in which observing certain objects 123d27m00s. Then enter the altitude of the desired...
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Page 37: Landmarks
To Select a landmark from the database: To Add a landmark to the database: 1. Make sure the telescope is located and aligned In this procedure, you will store the location of terrestrial exactly as when the desired landmark was landmarks in AutoStar’s memory. entered into memory. 2. Display the “Landmark: Select” menu option. 1. Set the telescope in the home position, if Press ENTER. -
Page 38: Identify
Identify Advanced Alt/Az Alignment This procedure allows you to use AutoStar to identify If you would rather choose your own alignment objects you have found in the night sky using the stars from the Autostar database during the Alt/Az Arrow keys. If the object is not in AutoStar’s database, alignment procedure, Autostar offers two methods AutoStar displays information about an object in its described below. - Page 39 d. The next screen asks for the city (listed alphabetically) closest to the observing site. Use the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of cities. Press ENTER when the correct city appears on screen. 5. Daylight Savings Time: The next screen requests the status of Daylight Savings Time.
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Page 40: Browse
One-Star Alt/Az Alignment One-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky. Autostar provides a database of bright stars. One-Star Alignment is identical to Two-Star Alt/Az: Alignment (see “Two-Star ALT/AZ Alignment,” above), except only one star from this database is chosen by the observer for alignment. IMPORTANT NOTE : The accuracy of One- Star Alt/Az Alignment, unlike the Two-Star and Easy (Alt/Az) Alignment procedures, depends on how well the observer levels the telescope and how close to North the telescope is pointed... -
Page 41: Maintenance
1 drop of biodegradable As part of final optical testing, every Meade LT Series dishwashing soap per pint of solution. Use soft, is precisely collimated at the Meade factory before white facial tissues and make short, gentle shipment. However, vibrations in shipping can cause strokes. Change tissues often. - Page 42 dark central spot is in fact the shadow of the secondary 3. Using the Arrow keys at the slowest slew speed, mirror. Turn the focus knob until the ring of light fills move the defocused image to the edge of the about 10% of the eyepiece field-diameter. If the dark eyepiece field of view (Pg.
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Page 43: Inspecting The Optics
LT Series requires factory servicing or repairs, only seen when a high intensity light is transmitted before returning the telescope to the factory, write through lenses or reflected off the mirrors, and can be or call the Meade Customer Service Department seen on any high quality optical system, including giant to provide an explanation of the problem, as well as research telescopes. -
Page 44: Training The Drive
APPENDIX A: Verify that AUTOSTAR Press > until it TRAINING THE DRIVE INITIALIZATION is is centered complete. Scope slews left. Bring target back Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any Press MODE until to center using Select Item is displayed. the Right Arrow key. -
Page 45: Basic Astronomy
Maria (plural for mare) are smooth, dark areas scattered from observations made by amateur astronomers. So across the lunar surface. These dark areas are large as you look through your Meade LT Series telescope, ancient impact basins that were filled with lava from keep Galileo in mind. To him, a telescope was not merely the interior of the Moon by the depth and force of a a machine made of glass and metal, but something far meteor or comet impact. - Page 46 Planets change positions in the sky as they orbit moons can also be seen around the Sun. To locate the planets on a given day or as a bright, star-like object month, consult a monthly astronomy magazine, such near the planet. as Sky and Telescope or Astronomy. You can also Deep-Sky Objects consult LT Series for information about planets. Scroll Star charts can be used to the “Object: Solar System” menu and scroll through locate constellations,...
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Page 47: Specifications
APPENDIX C: SPECIFICATIONS Model 6” LT SC Optical System Optical Design Schmidt Cassegrain (SC) Primary Mirror Diameter 6” (152mm) Primary Mirror Material Pyrex® Glass Focal Length, Focal Ratio 1524mm, f/10 Optical Coatings Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC™) Resolving Power (arc seconds) 0.76 Limiting Visual Stellar Magnitude Viewfinder Red Dot Mount Mount Type Aluminum Single-Arm Fork Altazimuth Drives 4.875 inch Precision Worm Drive Power 8 “C” Cell Batteries or AC Adapter Tripod New Adjustable-Height Steel Leg Tripod Electronics Controller Hand Box AutoStar #497 Included Accessories Eyepiece Holder 1.25” Diagonal Prism Eyepiece Super Plössl 26mm SC Adapter... - Page 48 SPECIFICATIONS Model 8" LT SC Optical System Optical Design Schmidt Cassegrain (SC) Primary Mirror Diameter 8” (203mm) Primary Mirror Material Pyrex® Glass Focal Length, Focal Ratio 2034mm, f/10 Optical Coatings Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC™) Resolving Power (arc seconds) 0.56 Limiting Visual Stellar Magnitude Viewfinder Red Dot Mount Mount Type Aluminum Single-Arm Fork Altazimuth Drives 4.875 inch Precision Worm Drive Power 8 “C” Cell Batteries or AC Adapter Tripod New Adjustable-Height Steel Leg Tripod Electronics Controller Hand Box AutoStar #497 Included Accessories Eyepiece Holder 1.25” Diagonal Prism Eyepiece Super Plössl 26mm SC Adapter SC Thread to 1.25” Accessory Adapter Weight...
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Page 49: Optical Systems
Baffle Field Stops Correcting Plate Primary Mirror The Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical System In the Schmidt-Cassegrain design of the Meade LT, field-of-view significantly wider than is possible with a light enters from the right, passes through a thin lens standard-size primary mirror. Note that light ray (2) in with 2-sided aspheric correction (“correcting plate”), the figure would be lost entirely, except for the oversize proceeds to a spherical primary mirror, and then to a primary. It is this phenomenon which results in Meade... -
Page 50: Meade Doc
APPENDIX E: FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (DoC) FOR THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT: PRODUCT NAME : MEADE LT SERIES TELESCOPE MODEL NO : LT TRADE NAME : MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP. IS HERE WITH CONFIRMED AND FOUND TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CFR47 PART 15 REGULATION. THE RESULTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC EMISSION EVALUATION ARE SHOWN IN THE REPORT NO.: (5209)251-0926, ISSUED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS: (1) T HIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE AND, (2) T HIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION. THE FOLLOWING MANUFACTURER/IMPORTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DECLARATION: MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP. 27 HUBBLE IRVINE, CA. 92618 U.S.A. (Tel) 800-626-3233 (Name) Bob LaTouche ( Title) Director of Quality (Date) NOVEMBER 03, 2009... - Page 51 RECYCLING INFORMATION (EU Countries only) Correct Disposal of this Product (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) This marking shown on the product or its literature indicates that it must not be disposed of in unsorted municipal waste at the end of its working life To prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from uncontrolled waste disposal, please separate this from other types of wastes and recycle it as required...
- Page 52 However, repairs which become necessary after the end of the warranty period will be subject to a service fee. Important: Make sure to return the device carefully packed in the original packaging in order to prevent transport damage. Please also enclose the cash receipt (or a copy). This warranty does not imply any restriction of your statutory rights. Your dealer: Name : ................................Postcode / City : ............................... Street : ................................Telephone : ............................... Date of purchase : ............................Signature : ................................ www.meade.de ANLLTGB0111MEADE...