Meade LT SC Series, LT Series, LT ACF Series instruction manual Autostar Features

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when the correct location displays.

d. The next screen asks for the city (listed alphabetically) closest to the observing site. Use the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of cities. Press ENTER when the correct city appears on screen.

5.Daylight Savings Time: The next screen requests the status of Daylight Savings Time. If Daylight Savings Time is active, press the 1 key. If Daylight Savings Time is not active, press the 2 key.

Note: Daylight Savings Time may be referred to by a different name in various areas of the world.

6.Telescope Model: AutoStar then asks for the Telescope Model. Using the scroll keys (Pg. 19, Fig. 5, 7) on the AutoStar locate the model of your telescope and press enter.

7. Now enter the current date, then press ENTER.

8.Enter the current time. Select “AM,” “PM,” or 24-hour clock (blank). Then press ENTER.

9.With “Align: Easy” displayed, use the Scroll

Keys to display “Align: Two Star”. Press Enter.

10.Setting the Home Position: “North Method: 1=True 2=Compass” displays. AutoStar is asking which Home Position method to use to setup the telescope. See page 9 “The LT Series Home Position” for more information. The easiest way to set the telescope in the home position is using the Magnetic North method. Follow the steps on page 9 to set the home position. If using True North, press the “1” key, or press the “2” key to use Magnetic North. Press enter when complete.

11.“Select Star” displays. Autostar then displays a database of stars for the observer to choose from. Use the Scroll keys to scroll to a star on the list that you wish to align upon. Select a star that you can easily locate in the night sky. Press ENTER.

12.The telescope slews to the star. Use the Arrow keys to move the telescope until the star is centered in the eyepiece. Press ENTER.

13.Repeat procedure for the second alignment star. The telescope is aligned and you are now ready to use Autostar’s GO TO capabilities for a night of observing.

LT Series TIPS

Too Much Power?

Can you ever have too much power? If the type of power you’re referring to is eyepiece magnification, yes, you can! The most common mistake of the beginning observer is to “overpower” a telescope by using high magnifications which the telescope’s aperture and atmospheric conditions cannot reasonably support. Keep in mind that a smaller, but bright and well-resolved image is far superior to one that is larger, but dim and poorly resolved (see Figs. 12a and 12b to the left). Powers above 400X should be employed only under the steadiest atmospheric conditions.

Most observers should have three or four additional eyepieces to achieve the full range of reasonable magnifications possible with the LT Series telescopes. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 16.

Figs. 12a & 12b: Jupiter; examples of the right amount of magnification and too much magnification.

AUTOSTAR FEATURES

INDEX

 

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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 ScrewOptional Accessories Choosing Eyepieces52º 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 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 Tour Modes How to Create Your Own Guided TourCommand Line Writing a TourComment Line 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.
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