Slew Speeds; Observe The Moon - Meade LX-90 Instruction Manual

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Slew Speeds

Autostar has nine slew speeds that are directly proportional to the sidereal rate and have been
calculated to accomplish specific functions. Pressing a Number key changes the slew speed,
which is shown for about two seconds on Autostar's display.
The nine available speeds are:
Speeds 1, 2, or 3: Best used for fine centering of an object in the field of view of a higher power
eyepiece, such as a 12mm or a 9mm eyepiece.
Speeds 4, 5, or 6: Enables centering an object in the field of a low-to-moderate power eye-
piece, such as the standard Super Plössl 26mm.
Speeds 7 or 8: Best used for rough centering of an object in the eyepiece.
Speed 9: Moves the telescope quickly from one point in the sky to another

Observe the Moon

NOTE:
Do not look through Point your telescope at the Moon (note that the Moon is not visible every night) and practice
the telescope's eye- using the Arrow keys and the slew speeds to view different features. The Moon contains many
piece or viewfinder interesting features, including craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines. The best time to view
while it is rapidly mov- the Moon is during its crescent or half phase. Sunlight strikes the Moon at an angle during these
ing. Children should periods and adds a depth to the view. No shadows are seen during a full Moon, causing the
always have adult overly bright surface to appear flat and rather uninteresting. Consider the use of a neutral den-
supervision while sity Moon filter when observing the Moon. Not only does it cut down the Moon's bright glare,
observing. but it also enhances contrast, providing a more dramatic image.
Flip the telescope power switch to the ON position.
The Autostar screen is activated and a copyright message displays briefly, followed by a
short beep. Then Autostar takes a few moments to start up the system.
A message displays that warns not to look at the Sun. At the end of this message, press
the key prompted by Autostar to signify that the message has been read and understood.
The Arrow keys are now activated. Press the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to slew (move) the tel-
escope up, down, right, or left.
Press a Number key (8, Fig. 2) to change the telescope's slew speed. See "SLEW
SPEEDS," below, for more information.
Use the viewfinder (17, Fig. 1) to locate an object and practice using the Autostar's Arrow
keys to center the object in the telescope's field of view.
Use the telescope's focus knob (8, Fig. 1) to bring the object into focus.
Number Key 1 = 1x =
Number Key 2 = 2x =
Number Key 3 = 8x =
Number Key 4 = 16x =
Number Key 5 = 64x =
Number Key 6 = 128x =
Number Key 7 = 1.5° =
Number Key 8 = 3° =
Number Key 9 = Max =
1 x sidereal (0.25 arc-min/sec or 0.004°/sec)
2 x sidereal (0.5 arc-min/sec or 0.008°/sec)
8 x sidereal (2 arc-min/sec or 0.033°/sec)
16 x sidereal (4 arc-min/sec or 0.067°/sec)
64 x sidereal (16 arc-min/sec or 0.27°/sec)
32 arc-min/sec or 0.5°/sec
90 arc-min/sec or 1.5°/sec
180 arc-min/sec or 3°/sec
390 arc-min/sec or 6.5°/sec)
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