Meade RCX400TM instruction manual Periodic Error Correction, Train Menu Option, Update Menu Option

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Periodic Error Correction

If you wish to perform high-precision astrophotography, you may wish to "train" your telescope in order to keep objects that you are imaging dead center in the telescope's field of view during the photographic exposure. Periodic error correction (PEC) helps to remove the slight perturbations from center that occur due to the mechanical nature of a telescope. To perform this procedure, you need to use a high-power reti- cle, such as the 9mm reticle (see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, pages 48 - 50). PEC training is available for both drives.

Train Menu Option

If you perform this procedure in alt/az alignment, you can train the telescope in both the R.A. and the Dec. axes; in polar alignment, you need only train the telescope's R.A. axis. If you train the telescope in polar alignment, make sure that "Polar" is selected in the "Telescope: Mount" menu ("Alt/Az" is the default setting).

To perform the procedure on the Dec. axis (Alt/Az mode), pick a bright star in the East or West that is about about 20° above the horizon.

To perform the procedure on the R.A. axis (Alt/Az mode), pick a bright star in the South that has minimal movement and is about 30° above the horizon (Note: If in the Southern hemisphere, pick a star in the North that is about 30° above the horizon).

Important Note: The Train option overwrites any previous PEC data.

1.Select "Train" from the Dec. PEC menu (in the "Setup: Telescope" menu) and press

ENTER.

2.Look through the reticle. Use the Arrow keys to keep the star centered in the reticle cross-hairs. Autostar II displays a count of the 200 positions of the worm gear. When the count reaches 200, one cycle is complete. A full cycle takes about 8 minutes.

3.Select "Train" from the R.A. PEC menu (in the "Setup: Telescope" menu) and press

ENTER.

4.Look through the reticle. Use the Arrow keys to keep the star centered in the reticle cross-hairs. Autostar II displays a count of the 200 positions of the worm gear. When the count reaches 200, one cycle is complete. A full cycle takes about 8 minutes.

5.Press MODE to exit.

Update Menu Option

Use the Update option to further refine your training; it is recommended that you update your original training two or three times when first using your telescope. Update does not overwrite the data, but updates the training using information gath- ered from both the last and the current training sessions. Press the MODE key to exit from this option. If you wish to further refine your training, select this menu again and repeat the procedure.

Erase Menu Option

Select this option to erase all PEC training data.

On and Off Menu Options

Select "On" when you want the telescope to use the training information. Select "Off" when you do not want for the telescope to use the training information. Select "On" to enable the Smart Drive.

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Contents
MEADE.COM Focusing the Telescope How to Hot Swap the Autostar II HandboxContents Tighten the adjustment lock Attach the legs of the tripod to the baseRotate the leg Hook the Release PinInstall the batteries Position the mount over the tripodSecure the mount with the T-handle Move the optical tube from its shipping positionAttach the visual back and diagonal mirror Insert the eyepiece and remove dust coverPlug in the AutoStar II handbox Turn on AutoStarTo exit the focus operation 1. Press Mode Point and Observe Tighten the R.A. and Dec. LocksTelescope Features FanViewfinder close up RCX400 Your Personal Window to the Universe Base Computer Control Panel see jDefinitions Viewfinder Library # of Objects Autostar II FeaturesTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button About changing slew RCX400 Tips Parts Listing How to Assemble the TripodHow to Assemble Your Telescope Getting StartedTo attach AutoStar II and connect the handbox holder To attach the diagonal mirror and the eyepieceMounting and Focusing the Viewfinder for the First Time Aligning the ViewfinderPresets ObservingChoosing an Eyepiece To focus the telescope eyepieceTo define a preset To select a previously defined focus presetTo sync on a focus preset Observing by Moving the Telescope ManuallySlew Speeds Observing Using Autostar IIs Arrow KeysTerrestrial Observing Observe the Moon Astronomical ObservingTo Track an Object Automatically Moving Through Autostar II’s MenusWhich One’s the Alignment Star? Go To Saturn Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking FeatureUsing the Guided Tour RCX400 Info To Calculate Sunset time Basic AutostarAutostar II Navigation Exercise Example of Locating a menu Navigating AutostarAutostar Select Item ObjectObject Menu To slew the telescope to catalog objectsEvent Menu DefinitionGlossary Menu Utilities MenuSetup Menu Look into the FuturePage Adding and editing sites? Setup Menu Daylight SAVING, Hot Button Menus To Edit a Site Adding Observing SitesTo Add a Site to the user-defined site list Creating User Objects To GO to a user-entered objectTo Add a landmark to the database Observing SatellitesLandmarks Identify To Select a landmark from the database To perform a Landmark Survey To check on the available amount of memory in AutostarBrowse Displayed information ExampleHow to perform the Easy Align Procedure Alternate Alt/Az AlignmentsInitialize Autostar Easy Two-Star AlignmentTo Set the Home Position Manually One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentTo Download the Latest Version of Autostar II Software Periodic Error Correction Update Menu OptionTrain Menu Option Erase Menu OptionPhotography Few tips on photography with the RCX400 telescopesPhotography with a Digital Camera Photography with Meade’s AutoStar SuiteImage of M13 captured with the Deep Sky Imager Optional Accessories Meade Series 4000 EyepiecesSeries 4000 8 24mm Zoom Eyepiece Star Charts Test your Collimation MaintenanceCollimation Follow these steps for collimation of the optical system Defocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, AlignedGauging the Movement of the Telescope Meade Customer ServiceInspecting the Optics 10 f/8 RCX400 Specifications 12 f/8 RCX400 Specifications14 f/8 RCX400 Specifications Advanced Autostar II System Specifications Autostar II Handbox SpecificationsCelestial Coordinates Setting CirclesEquatorial Alignment Declination Setting Circle Equatorial WedgeLining Up with the Celestial Pole Locating PolarisPrecise Polar Alignment RCX400 mounted on an equatorial wedgeAutostar II Polar Alignment Easy Polar AlignmentOne-Star Polar Alignment Two-Star Polar AlignmentAppendix B Latitude Chart Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the WorldCity State/Prov./Country Latitude City Country LatitudeCommand Line What you will needTour Modes Comment LineWriting a Tour TitlePick ONE / Pick END Pick END Auto Slew on / Auto Slew OFF Downloading ToursAppendix D Training the Drive Further StudyTo observe the Apollo 15 landing site using the Moon option Appendix E the Moon MenuAppendix F IntroductionOperation TrainingUpdate Permanently Mounted ScopesOther Menus Options Save As and Load OffBasic Astronomy Autostar II GlossaryObjects in Space MoonPlanets Deep-Sky ObjectsPage Meade Limited Warranty
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