Meade LT ACF Series, LT SC Series Identify, Advanced Alt/Az Alignment, Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment

Page 38

Identify

This procedure allows you to use AutoStar to identify objects you have found in the night sky using the Arrow keys. If the object is not in AutoStar’s database, AutoStar displays information about an object in its database that is closest to the one you queried about.

Important Note: The telescope must be successfully aligned before the Identify feature can be used. Once aligned, it cannot be physically moved from that location. Moving the telescope disrupts the telescopes frame of reference to the night sky and will prevent it from identifying objects.

In this procedure, you will center an object you wish to have identified by AutoStar in the telescope eyepiece and use the “Identify” menu to find out information about the object or the nearest object to it in the AutoStar database.

1.Center the object you wish to have identified in the telescope’s eyepiece.

2.Navigate to the “Object: Identify” option and press ENTER.

3.“Searching...” displays. When AutoStar finishes calculating, the name of the closest object displays.

4.Press a Scroll key to display information about this object. AutoStar displays some or all the following information about the object with each press of a Scroll key:

Displayed information: Example:

Catalog or common name...Messier 107, NGC 6171, Orion Nebula, etc

Type of object

Globular Cluster, Nebula,

 

Black Hole, etc.

Right Ascension

16:32:4

Declination

13°03’

Constellation

Virgo, Orion, etc.

Magnitude

3

Size

2’

Scrolling message

“This Globular Cluster is

 

10,000 light years

 

away...”

Advanced Alt/Az Alignment

If you would rather choose your own alignment stars from the Autostar database during the Alt/Az alignment procedure, Autostar offers two methods described below.

Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment

Two-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky. AutoStar provides a database of bright stars and two stars from this database are chosen by the observer for alignment.

1.Turn the telescope on: Turn the telescope power switch to the ON position. The AutoStar beeps and the display screen is activated. AutoStar then takes a few moments to start up the system.

2.Select Alignment Procedure: “Press 0 to Align or Mode for Menu” displays. Press “Mode” to access the AutoStar menu.

3.Testing Motors: The telescope then tests the motor function of the telescope by moving in the horizontal and vertical directions.

4.Set Your Location or Zip Code: The Location screen displays. This screen asks you if you wish to choose either the zip code of your observing location or the location (i.e., entering the city and state or country of your observing location). Press “1” to select the zip code option or “2” to enter the city and state.

Note: The location settings (country/state/province and city, or zip code) are only asked for the first time you turn on the control panel. If you wish to change this setting later on, use the Site menu. See SITE, page 29 for more information.

a. If you chose the zip code option, the left most “0” is highlighted. Use the Number keys to enter the digits. As you enter a digit, the next digit to the right will be highlighted. Enter the next digit. Repeat this process until all 5 digits of your zip code are entered. Press ENTER.

b.If you chose the location option, the next screen asks for the country or state/province (listed alphabetically) of the observing site.

c.Use the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of countries, states, and provinces. Press ENTER

ADVANCED FEATURES

INDEX

 

38

 

 

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Contents Index Battery Safety Instructions Contents Introduction LT Series ACF and LT Series SC TelescopeLock-Knob Getting StartedAssembling the Tripod Spreader Shaft End Nut Spreader BarPower Port Installing the BatteriesUsing an AC Adapter or DC Power Cord Mounting the TelescopeAttaching Accessories Your Telescope is now Fully AssembledUsing the Red Dot Finder Adjusting the Red Dot Finder GETTING#497 HandboxstartedMagnetic North Home Position Aligning the LT SeriesLT Series 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 Panel52º Optional AccessoriesChoosing Eyepieces 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 timeObject Menu Entering Data into AutoStarGuided Tour Menu Navigating AutoStarAutoStar #497 Menu Tree Event Menu Glossary Menu Utilities 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 How to Create Your Own Guided Tour Tour ModesComment Line Command LineWriting a Tour Index Landmarks Downloading ToursTo perform a Landmark Survey To Add a landmark to the databaseTo Select a landmark from the database To check on the available amount of memory in AutoStarTwo-Star Alt/Az Alignment IdentifyAdvanced Alt/Az Alignment Displayed information ExampleAutostar Features Browse One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentMaintenance CollimationCollimation Screws LT Series CollimationGauging the Movement of the Telescope Customer ServiceInspecting the Optics 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.
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