Meade LT SC Series, LT Series, LT ACF Series instruction manual Go To Saturn, Using the Guided Tour

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Go To Saturn

After performing the Easy Alignment procedure, the motor drive begins operating and the telescope is aligned for a night of viewing. Objects in the eyepiece should maintain their position even though the Earth is rotating beneath the stars.

Important Note: Once aligned, only use the GO TO or Arrow keys to move the telescope. Do not move the telescope manually, or alignment will be lost.

Once the telescope is aligned, you may choose and “Go To” any object listed in AutoStar’s Object menu. This exercise demonstrates how to select one such celestial object, the planet Saturn, for viewing from the Object menu.

Note: Saturn is not visible the entire year and you may need to choose another object from AutoStar’s database; however, the procedure, as described below, remains the same.

1 After the telescope is aligned, “Select Item: Object” displays. Press ENTER.

2.“Object: Solar System” displays. Press

ENTER.

3.“Solar System: Mercury” displays. Keep pressing the Scroll Down key until “Solar System: Saturn” displays.

4.Press ENTER. “Calculating” displays. Then “Saturn” and a set of coordinates displays. Note that Saturn’s (and other planets’) coordinates change throughout the year.

5.Press GO TO. “Saturn: Slewing...” displays and the telescope slews until it finds Saturn. You may need to use the Arrow keys to center Saturn precisely in the eyepiece. AutoStar then automatically moves the telescope so that it “tracks” Saturn (or whatever other object you may have chosen); i.e., Saturn remains centered in the eyepiece.

After you Go To Saturn, practice the Go To feature with other objects in the Object menu lists. For example, during Winter, choose M42, the Orion nebula, from the Messier list. Or in the summer, choose the Dumbbell nebula from the Deep Sky, Named Objects list.

Using the Guided Tour

This example demonstrates using “Tonight’s Best” Guided Tour.

1.After observing Saturn, press mode twice so that “Select Item: Object” displays again.

2.Press the Scroll Down key twice. “Select Item: Guided Tour” displays.

3.Press ENTER. “Guided Tour: Tonight’s Best” displays. Press ENTER.

If you wish to try out other Guided Tours, press the Scroll Down key to scroll through other tour choices. When the tour you wish to select displays, press ENTER.

4.“Tonight’s Best: Searching...” displays. After calculating, “Tonight’s Best: Jupiter” displays.

Note: Different objects may be displayed on a tour list on any given night.

Press ENTER to display information about the object. Press GO TO to move the telescope to the object.

5.Press MODE to return to the Tour list. Press the Scroll keys to scroll through the list. Press ENTER when you find the next object you wish to observe.

6.Press and hold down MODE for two seconds to leave the Guided Tour menu.

AutoStarLIGNING#497THE LTHANDBOXSERIES

INDEX

 

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Contents Index Battery Safety Instructions Contents Introduction LT Series ACF and LT Series SC TelescopeGetting Started Assembling the TripodLock-Knob Spreader Shaft End Nut Spreader BarInstalling the Batteries Using an AC Adapter or DC Power CordPower Port Mounting the TelescopeAttaching Accessories Your Telescope is now Fully AssembledUsing the Red Dot Finder Adjusting the Red Dot Finder GETTING#497 HandboxstartedAligning the LT Series LT Series Home PositionMagnetic North Home Position True North Home PositionMoving Through AutoStar’s Menus Initializing AutoStarHow to perform the Easy Align Procedure Easy Two-Star AlignUsing the Guided Tour Go To SaturnAutoStarLT SERIES#497KEYHANDBOXFEATURES B. C. D. E Eyepiece Holder Thumb Screw Computer Control PanelOptional Accessories Choosing Eyepieces52º AutoStarOPTIONAL#497ACCESSORIESHANDBOX Power Supplies Imagers and AccessoriesAUTOAutotarSTAR#497HANDBOX Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonSlew Speeds Observing Using AutoStar’s Arrow Keys Observe the Moon Terrestrial ObservingAutoStar Navigation Exercise To Calculate Sunset timeEntering Data into AutoStar Guided Tour MenuObject Menu Navigating AutoStarAutoStar #497 Menu Tree Event Menu Glossary Menu Utilities MenuSetup Menu Index Autostar #497 Handbox Adding Observing Sites To Add a Site to the user-defined site listTo Edit a Site Using AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the Database To GO to a user-entered objectObserving Satellites How to Create Your Own Guided Tour Tour ModesCommand Line Writing a TourComment Line Index Landmarks Downloading ToursTo Add a landmark to the database To Select a landmark from the databaseTo perform a Landmark Survey To check on the available amount of memory in AutoStarIdentify Advanced Alt/Az AlignmentTwo-Star Alt/Az Alignment Displayed information ExampleAutostar Features Browse One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentMaintenance CollimationCollimation Screws LT Series CollimationCustomer Service Inspecting the OpticsGauging the Movement of the Telescope Updating Your LT Series FirmwareDrive Appendix aAppendix B Objects in SpaceDeep-Sky Objects Appendix C Specifications Model and Product Number LT ACF # Optical SystemAutoStarSPECIFICATIONS#497 Handbox Appendix D ACF and SC Optical SystemsAppendix E Federal Communications CommissionRecycling Meade Limited Warranty 55-09004

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.