Meade LXD 75-Series Appendix F Basic Astronomy, Autostar Glossary, Objects in Space, Moon

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Fig. 56 The Moon. Note the deep shadows in the craters.

APPENDIX F: BASIC ASTRONOMY

In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a telescope smaller than your LXD75, turned it skyward instead of looking at the distant trees and mountains. What he saw, and what he realized about what he saw, has forever changed the way mankind thinks about the universe. Imagine what it must have been like being the first human to see moons revolve around the planet Jupiter or to see the changing phas- es of Venus! Because of his observations, Galileo correctly realized Earth's move- ment and position around the Sun, and in doing so, gave birth to modern astronomy. Yet Galileo's telescope was so crude, he could not clearly make out the rings of Saturn.

Galileo's discoveries laid the foundation for understanding the motion and nature of the planets, stars, and galaxies. Building on his foundation, Henrietta Leavitt deter- mined how to measure the distance to stars, Edwin Hubble gave us a glimpse into the possible origin of the universe, Albert Einstein unraveled the crucial relationship of time and light, and 21st-century astronomers are currently discovering planets around stars outside our solar system. Almost daily, using sophisticated successors to Galileo's telescope, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Telescope, more and more mysteries of the universe are being probed and under- stood. We are living in the golden age of astronomy.

Unlike other sciences, astronomy welcomes contributions from amateurs. Much of the knowledge we have on subjects such as comets, meteor showers, double and vari- able stars, the Moon, and our solar system comes from observations made by ama- teur astronomers. So as you look through your Meade LXD75-Seriestelescope, keep 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.

Autostar Glossary

Be sure to make use of Autostar’s Glossary feature. The Glossary menu provides an alphabetical listing of definitions and descriptions of common astronomical terms. Access directly through the Glossary menu or through hypertext words embedded in Autostar. See GLOSSARY MENU, page 27, for more information.

Objects in Space

Listed below are some of the many astronomical objects that can be seen with your LXD75-Series telescope:

The Moon

The Moon is, on average, a distance of 239,000 miles (380,000km) from Earth and is best observed during its crescent or half phase when Sunlight strikes the Moon’s sur- face at an angle. It casts shadows and adds a sense of depth to the view (Fig. 56). No shadows are seen during a full Moon, causing the overly bright Moon to appear flat and rather uninteresting through the telescope. Be sure to use a neutral Moon fil- ter when observing the Moon. Not only does it protect your eyes from the bright glare of the Moon, but it also helps enhance contrast, providing a more dramatic image.

Using your LXD75-Series telescope, brilliant detail can be observed on the Moon, includ- ing hundreds of lunar craters and maria, described below.

Craters are round meteor impact sites covering most of the Moon’s surface. With no atmosphere on the Moon, no weather conditions exist, so the only erosive force is meteor strikes. Under these conditions, lunar craters can last for millions of years.

Maria (plural for mare) are smooth, dark areas scattered across the lunar surface. These dark areas are large ancient impact basins that were filled with lava from the interior of the Moon by the depth and force of a meteor or comet impact.

Twelve Apollo astronauts left their bootprints on the Moon in the late 1960's and early 1970's. However, no telescope on Earth is able to see these footprints or any other artifacts. In fact, the smallest lunar features that may be seen with the largest tele- scope on Earth are about one-half mile across.

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Contents LXD 75 -Series Telescopes Page Contents BC1 g f e Telescope FeaturesD E F LXD75-SeriesYour Personal Window to the Universe $ Computer Control Panel see e LXD75 Tips Autostar Features FeaturesTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Tip Getting Started How to Assemble Your TelescopeTelescope Assembly AccessoriesViewfinder assembly Newtonian reflector models Balancing the Telescope C D E FChoosing an Eyepiece Aligning the ViewfinderObserving by Moving the Telescope Manually Too Much Power?Slew Speeds Autostar Models Only Activate the Arrow Keys Autostar Models Only16b Setting the Polar Home PositionObserve the Moon Tracking ObjectsUsing Autostars GO to Capabilities Autostar Models Only Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking FeatureInitializing Autostar Autostar Models Only Moving Through Autostar’s Menus Autostar Models OnlyTraining the Drive Autostar Models Only Go To Saturn Autostar Models Only Easy Alignment Autostar Models OnlyPlanet Saturn is over 800 million miles from the Earth Using the Guided Tour Autostar Models OnlyTo Calculate Sunset time Autostar Navigation ExerciseNavigating Autostar Entering Data into AutostarSelect Item Object Autostars MenusObject Menu MenusLXD75-Series Event MenuGlossary Menu Utilities MenuEnter Setup MenuObserving Considerations Setup Menu Daylight SAVING, Surf the Web Adding Observing Sites To Add a Site to the user-defined site listTo Edit a Site To GO to a user-entered object Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the LibrariesObserving Satellites LandmarksTo Add a landmark to the database To Check on the Available Memory To Select a landmark from the databaseTo perform a Landmark Survey Photography Few tips on photography with the LXD75-SeriestelescopesPhotography with Meade’s Autostar Suite 10 f/4 Optional AccessoriesSeries 4000 Photo-Visual Optional Autostar handbox for EC model users General Maintenance MaintenanceD e f g Page Defocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, Aligned Page Page Specifications 5 Model SN-6AT, SN-6EC Specifications4 Model SN-8AT, SN-8EC Specifications 10 f/4 Model SN-10AT Specifications 9.3 Model AR-5AT, AR-5EC Specifications8 Model AR-6AT Specifications 5 Model N-6EC Specifications 10 Model SC-8AT SpecificationsInspecting the Optics Autostar SpecificationsAutostar Dimensions Meade Customer ServiceAppendix a Celestial Coordinates Setting CirclesTwo-Star Polar Alignment Locating the Celestial PolePolar Alignment One-Star Polar AlignmentTo perform the Three-Star Alignment Method #1 Three-Star Alignment Using AutostarPolar Alignment Viewfinder Enhancement MethodsProcedure #1 To correct for attitude misalignment Method 2 Axis Alignment ProceduresPosition a Procedure #2 To correct for elevation misalignmentTips Method 3 Axis Alignment Using AutostarPEC Erase Menu Option Method #4 Smart Drive Training Periodic Error CorrectionPEC Update Menu Option PEC Train Menu OptionCity Country Latitude Appendix C Latitude ChartLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World City State/Prov./Country LatitudeAppendix D EC Handbox To move the telescope using the Electronic Controller Modes of OperationSlew Speeds Tracking Rates Optional Autostar Computer Controller for LXD75 EC Users Changing the Polar ModeMounting the SC bracket and optical tube to the mount How to Attach the Optical Tube to the MountMoon Appendix F Basic AstronomyAutostar Glossary Objects in SpaceDeep-Sky Objects PlanetsFurther Study Page Meade Limited Warranty

LXD 75-Series specifications

The Meade LXD 75-Series telescopes represent a significant advancement in amateur astronomy technology, combining ease of use with professional-grade features. Designed for both novice and experienced astronomers, the LXD 75-Series offers sophisticated tracking capabilities and a range of optical tube assemblies, making it a versatile choice for stargazers.

One of the most notable features of the LXD 75-Series is its advanced German equatorial mount, which provides precise tracking of celestial objects. This mount is equipped with digital setting circles and a built-in autoguider port, allowing users to take long-exposure astrophotography without the hassle of manual adjustments. The telescope's mount is designed to be sturdy yet lightweight, enhancing portability for backyard observations or remote excursions.

The optical tube assemblies available in the LXD 75-Series include both refractor and reflector designs, allowing astronomers to choose according to their preferences. Refractors provide crisp, high-contrast images ideal for planetary observations, while reflectors excel in deep-sky viewing, revealing the nuances of nebulae and galaxy structures. The series typically offers apertures ranging from 6 to 10 inches, giving users the flexibility to select a model that best suits their observational needs.

Another feature that stands out in the LXD 75-Series is its user-friendly GoTo system. This system utilizes a database containing thousands of celestial objects and employs sophisticated software to navigate the night sky effortlessly. With a simple push of a button, users can locate and track objects, making the stargazing experience more engaging and less intimidating for beginners.

The LXD 75-Series also emphasizes durability and ease of assembly. The telescopes are designed for quick setup, with intuitive components that make it easy to get started in minutes. Additionally, the quality of craftsmanship ensures longevity, which is vital for a reliable observational tool.

In conclusion, the Meade LXD 75-Series stands out for its combination of advanced technologies and user-centric designs. With powerful tracking capabilities, versatile optical options, and an easy-to-use GoTo system, these telescopes cater to the diverse needs of astronomical enthusiasts. Whether for casual observation or serious astrophotography, the LXD 75-Series proves to be a stellar option for those looking to explore the wonders of the universe.
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