Meade LT ACF Series, LT SC Series Easy Two-Star Align, How to perform the Easy Align Procedure

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Easy (Two-Star) Align

The fastest and easiest way to locate objects with Autostar’s GO TO capabilities is to use Easy Align.

Autostar automatically picks two stars from its database for the Easy Align procedure. During this procedure, Autostar slews the telescope to a first alignment star. The user is asked to verify that the telescope is pointed at the chosen star and then prompted to center the star in the eyepiece. The process is repeated with a second star to complete the alignment.

Note: Before aligning the telescope, first verify that “INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR”, page 10, has been performed. See “Moving through Autostar’s Menus”, page 10, for a description of how Autostar’s keys operate.

How to perform the Easy Align Procedure

If you have just powered on the telescope, follow the procedures listed in “Initializing Autostar” on page

23.When completed, continue on to the steps below to perform the Easy Alignment procedure. If the telescope is already powered on and the correct site location, date, time and telescope model have already been entered, the Easy Alignment can be started by selecting in the menu Setup: Align: Easy and following the steps below.

1.When the Easy Alignment procedure is selected in the AutoStar’s setup menu, the display will read “North Method: 1=True 2=Compass”. AutoStar is asking which Home Position the telescope will be placed in. See page 9, “The LT Series Home Position” for a description on placing the LT Series telescope into the home position.

Note: The easiest way to set the telescope in the home position is using the Magnetic North method. Follow the steps on page 9 “Magnetic North Home Position” and press the “2” key on Autostar to select the “Compass” (Magnetic North) method.

2.Star Alignment - The Autostar then chooses two stars to align upon. When the telescope slews to the first star for alignment, it may not appear in the field of view in the eyepiece. The alignment star should be easily recognized

and be the brightest star in the area of the sky where the telescope is pointing. While looking through the red dot finder, use the Arrow Keys to move the telescope to place the red dot on the top of the star. Now look through the eyepiece and use the Arrow Keys to move the star to the center of the eyepiece field. Press ENTER. If that area of the sky is obscured by an object, you can prompt AutoStar to chose an alternate star by pressing either one of the two Scroll Keys. Repeat procedure for the second alignment star.

When the procedure is performed correctly, “Alignment Successful” displays. If Autostar does not display this message, perform this procedure again.

Note: Autostar locates alignment stars based on the date, time, and location entered. The alignment stars may change from night to night. All that is required is for the observer to center the selected stars in the eyepiece when prompted.

NOTE: The GO TO key also allows you to perform a “spiral search”. A spiral search is useful when the telescope slews to an object, but that object is not visible in the eyepiece after the telescope finishes its search. (This sometimes occurs during an alignment procedure.) Press GO TO when the slew is finished and the telescope starts slewing in a spiral pattern at a very slow speed around the search area. Look through the eyepiece and when the object does become visible, press MODE to stop the spiral search. Then use the Arrow keys to center the object.

Which One’s the Alignment Star?

If you’re not familiar with objects in the night sky, how can you be sure if the star in your eyepiece is really the alignment star?

The rule of thumb is that an alignment star is usually the brightest star in that area of the sky. If you perform a GoTo to an alignment star and you’re not sure if you have located the alignment star or it isn’t in the eyepiece, look through your viewfinder. When you view an alignment star in the viewfinder, it stands out dramatically from the rest of the stars in that portion of the sky.

The viewfinder will help you locate a star more quickly than the eyepiece. Using AutoStar, set the slew speed to 6 (press Number key 6) or higher and use the Arrow keys to center the alignment star in the viewfinder. If your viewfinder has been aligned with the telescope, the alignment star should now be in the eyepiece. Set the slew speed to 4 or less and center the star in the eyepiece. Also see the Spiral Search tip, page 11.

AutoStarLIGNING#497THE LTHANDBOXSERIES

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Contents Index Battery Safety Instructions Contents LT Series ACF and LT Series SC Telescope IntroductionSpreader Shaft End Nut Spreader Bar Getting StartedAssembling the Tripod Lock-KnobMounting the Telescope Installing the BatteriesUsing an AC Adapter or DC Power Cord Power PortYour Telescope is now Fully Assembled Attaching AccessoriesGETTING#497 Handboxstarted Using the Red Dot Finder Adjusting the Red Dot FinderTrue North Home Position Aligning the LT SeriesLT Series Home Position Magnetic North Home PositionInitializing AutoStar Moving Through AutoStar’s MenusEasy Two-Star Align How to perform the Easy Align ProcedureGo To Saturn Using the Guided TourAutoStarLT SERIES#497KEYHANDBOXFEATURES B. C. D. E Computer Control Panel Eyepiece Holder Thumb Screw52º Optional AccessoriesChoosing Eyepieces AutoStarOPTIONAL#497ACCESSORIESHANDBOX Imagers and Accessories Power SuppliesTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button AUTOAutotarSTAR#497HANDBOXSlew Speeds Observing Using AutoStar’s Arrow Keys Terrestrial Observing Observe the MoonTo Calculate Sunset time AutoStar Navigation ExerciseNavigating AutoStar Entering Data into AutoStarGuided Tour Menu Object MenuAutoStar #497 Menu Tree Event Menu Utilities Menu Glossary MenuSetup Menu Index Autostar #497 Handbox To Edit a Site Adding Observing SitesTo Add a Site to the user-defined site list Observing Satellites Using AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the DatabaseTo GO to a user-entered object Tour Modes How to Create Your Own Guided TourComment Line Command LineWriting a Tour Index Downloading Tours LandmarksTo check on the available amount of memory in AutoStar To Add a landmark to the databaseTo Select a landmark from the database To perform a Landmark SurveyDisplayed information Example IdentifyAdvanced Alt/Az Alignment Two-Star Alt/Az AlignmentAutostar Features One-Star Alt/Az Alignment BrowseCollimation MaintenanceLT Series Collimation Collimation ScrewsUpdating Your LT Series Firmware Customer ServiceInspecting the Optics Gauging the Movement of the TelescopeAppendix a DriveObjects in Space Appendix BDeep-Sky Objects Model and Product Number LT ACF # Optical System Appendix C SpecificationsAutoStarSPECIFICATIONS#497 Handbox ACF and SC Optical Systems Appendix DFederal Communications Commission Appendix ERecycling 55-09004 Meade Limited Warranty

LT Series, LT ACF Series, LT SC Series specifications

The Meade LT SC Series, LT ACF Series, and LT Series telescopes are designed to meet the diverse needs of amateur astronomers and astrophotographers alike. Each of these series caters to various levels of experience while incorporating advanced features and technologies that enhance observational stability and image quality.

The Meade LT SC Series, featuring the advanced Schmidt-Cassegrain design, excels in versatility. This series includes different aperture sizes, allowing users to view celestial objects ranging from the moon to distant galaxies. The telescopes come equipped with an AudioStar hand controller that provides a database of over 30,000 celestial objects, enabling users to easily locate and track their subjects. The built-in GPS feature facilitates effortless alignment by automatically determining the user’s location and time.

In contrast, the LT ACF Series showcases Meade's innovative Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics. This design minimizes coma and field curvature, providing sharp, crisp images across a wider field of view. Ideal for astrophotography, this series is enhanced by features like a fast focal ratio for better imaging of dim objects and a robust construction that ensures stability during use. The LT ACF telescopes also support advanced imaging techniques, allowing users to capture stunning images of deep-sky objects while minimizing aberrations.

The classic LT Series remains a favorite among beginners. Known for its straightforward setup and usability, this series is designed with a lightweight and portable frame. The LT Series telescope is equipped with an altazimuth mount, making it user-friendly for quick observations. The simplicity allows new astronomers to start observing with minimal technical knowledge. Additionally, these telescopes support a variety of accessories such as smartphone adapters, making it easy for users to capture their observations.

All three series incorporate Meade's proprietary StarLock technology in certain models, which facilitates automated tracking. This feature frees astronomers from the complexities of manual tracking, allowing them to focus more on the experience of observing celestial wonders.

In summary, the Meade LT SC Series, LT ACF Series, and LT Series deliver exceptional optical performance and user-friendly features, making them suitable for a wide range of astronomy enthusiasts. Whether you are a seasoned astrophotographer or a novice sky-watcher, Meade's telescopes provide the technology and capabilities needed to explore the universe.