Meade RCX400TM instruction manual Precise Polar Alignment, RCX400 mounted on an equatorial wedge

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Fig. 54: RCX400 mounted on an equatorial wedge.

ting circle and slightly loosen the two bolts located under the knob. Now turn the circle unit until it reads 89.2°, the Declination of Polaris. Then tighten down the two bolts and replace the knurled knob.

Should you wish to use the manual setting circles, the R.A. setting circle (Fig. 51) must be calibrated manually on the Right Ascension of a star every time the telescope is set up. (The R.A. setting circle has two sets of numbers, the inner set is for Southern hemisphere use, while the other is for Northern hemisphere use.) Locate a star with which you're familiar. Look up the R.A. for the star in a star chart or other aid. With the star centered in the telescope's eyepiece, move the R.A. setting circle, using one of knobs (C, Fig. 53), so that the R.A. of the star lines up with the tick mark on the base of the telescope (B, Fig. 53).

Precise Polar Alignment

It should be emphasized that while doing casual observing, precise alignment of the telescope’s polar axis to the celestial pole is not necessary. Don’t allow a time-con- suming effort at lining up with the pole to interfere with your basic enjoyment of the tel- escope. For long-exposure photography, however, the ground rules are quite different, and precise polar alignment is not only advisable, but almost essential.

Even though the RCX400 telescopes offers a very precise and sophisticated drive sys- tem, the fewer tracking corrections required during the course of a long-exposure pho- tograph, the better. (“Long-exposure” means any photograph of a celestial object that last for 10 minutes or longer). In particular, the number of Declination corrections required is a direct function of the precision of polar alignment.

Precise polar alignment requires the use of a crosshair eyepiece. The Meade Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece (see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, pages 48 - 50) is well- suited in this application, but it is also preferable to increase the effective magnifica- tion through the use of a 2X or 3X Barlow lens as well. Follow this procedure (partic- ularly if the pole star is not visible), sometimes better known as the “Drift” method:

1.Obtain a rough polar alignment as described earlier. Place the illuminated reticle eyepiece (or eyepiece/Barlow combination) into the eyepiece holder of the tele- scope.

2.Point the telescope, with the motor drive running, at a moderately bright star near where the meridian (the North-South line passing through your local zenith) and the celestial equator intersect. For best results, the star should be located within ±30 minutes in R.A. of the meridian and within ±5° of the celestial equator (see CELESTIAL COORDINATES, page 57). Pointing the telescope at a star that is straight up, with the Declination set to 0°, will point the telescope in the right direc- tion.

3.Note the extent of the star’s drift in Declination (disregard drift in Right Ascension):

a.If the star drifts South (or down), the telescope’s polar axis is pointing too far East.

b.If the star drifts North (or up), the telescope’s polar axis is pointing too far West.

4.Move the wedge in azimuth (horizontally) to effect the appropriate change in polar alignment. Reposition the telescope’s East-West polar axis orientation until there is no further North-South drift by the star. Track the star for a period of time to be certain that its Declination drift has ceased.

5.Next, point the telescope at another moderately bright star near the Eastern hori- zon, but still near the celestial equator. For best results, the star should be about 20° or 30° above the Eastern horizon and within ± 5° of the celestial equator.

6.Again note the extent of the star’s drift in Declination:

a.If the star drifts South, (or down) the telescope’s polar axis is pointing too low.

b.If the star drifts North, (or up) the telescope’s polar axis is pointing too high.

7.Use the altitude adjust control on the wedge to make appropriate changes in alti- tude, based on your observations above. Again, track the star for a period of time to be certain that Declination drift has ceased.

The above procedure results in very accurate polar alignment, and minimizes the need for tracking corrections during astrophotography.

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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 Autostar II Features Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonLibrary # of Objects 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 ManuallyObserving Using Autostar IIs Arrow Keys Terrestrial ObservingSlew Speeds Observe the Moon Astronomical ObservingTo Track an Object Automatically Moving Through Autostar II’s MenusWhich One’s the Alignment Star? Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature Using the Guided TourGo To Saturn RCX400 Info Basic Autostar Autostar II Navigation ExerciseTo Calculate Sunset time 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 Adding Observing Sites To Add a Site to the user-defined site listTo Edit a Site Creating User Objects To GO to a user-entered objectObserving Satellites LandmarksTo Add a landmark to the database Identify To Select a landmark from the databaseTo 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 AlignmentOne-Star Alt/Az Alignment To Download the Latest Version of Autostar II SoftwareTo Set the Home Position Manually 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 Maintenance CollimationTest your Collimation Follow these steps for collimation of the optical system Defocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, AlignedMeade Customer Service Inspecting the OpticsGauging the Movement of the Telescope 10 f/8 RCX400 Specifications 12 f/8 RCX400 Specifications14 f/8 RCX400 Specifications Advanced Autostar II System Specifications Autostar II Handbox SpecificationsSetting Circles Equatorial AlignmentCelestial Coordinates 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

RCX400TM specifications

The Meade RCX400TM is a sophisticated telescope designed for serious astronomers and astrophotographers seeking exceptional performance and innovative features. Combining advanced optics with user-friendly technology, the RCX400TM stands out as a powerful tool for both amateur and experienced stargazers.

At the heart of the RCX400TM is its revolutionary Ritchey-Chrétien optical design. This design minimizes optical aberrations, resulting in sharp, high-contrast images across the field of view. The telescope features a large aperture, typically around 10 inches, which allows for the observation of faint celestial objects, including distant galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. The high-quality optics ensure that users can capture stunning details and nuances of their targets.

One of the standout characteristics of the RCX400TM is its advanced AutoAlign technology. This feature simplifies the setup process by automatically aligning the telescope to the night sky, enabling users to start observing in a matter of minutes. This is particularly beneficial for beginners or those who prefer a hassle-free experience when setting up for observations.

Additionally, the telescope is equipped with the Meade Smart Drive system, which enhances tracking accuracy and allows for long exposure astrophotography without the worry of trailing or blurring. This system compensates for periodic errors and undergoes continuous monitoring, ensuring that the telescope maintains precise alignment while tracking celestial objects.

The RCX400TM also incorporates an intuitive user interface with a large, easy-to-read LCD display. This interface allows users to access a comprehensive database of celestial objects, making it simple to locate and observe a wide range of astronomical phenomena. With its compatibility with various Meade accessories, such as cameras and filters, the RCX400TM provides flexibility for users looking to expand their astrophotography capabilities.

Durability is another significant aspect of the RCX400TM. Its robust construction ensures that it can withstand various outdoor conditions, making it suitable for both backyard observations and expeditions to remote dark sites.

In summary, the Meade RCX400TM is designed for those who demand high-performance optics, advanced technology, and ease of use. With features like the Ritchey-Chrétien optical design, AutoAlign technology, and the Smart Drive system, it offers a remarkable viewing experience that brings the wonders of the universe closer to all who gaze through its eyepiece. Whether for casual observation or serious astrophotography, the RCX400TM is poised to satisfy the needs of astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.
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