Meade Changing the Polar Mode, Optional Autostar Computer Controller for LXD75 EC Users

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Step 3.

 

Step 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5. Step 6. Step 8.

Fig. 53: Indicator Light Key for Changing the Polar Mode.

Note: The tracking rate can be increased by up to 65%.

4.To use a rate slower than sidereal, press OUT (6, Fig. 49) until light 4 blinks again (sidereal rate). Press OUT key and light 4 goes out, signifying a tracking rate 0.5% slower than sidereal. Note that when the Mode function is active, the tracking motor stops. To restart the tracking motor, press MODE again. Experiment with this function to get the right speed: Press OUT to set the track- ing rate. Then press MODE and look through the eyepiece. Continue pressing OUT and MODE until the object remains centered with little or no drifting in the eyepiece.

Note: The tracking rate can be decreased by up to 65%.

5.Press and hold MODE until only a single light is on. This exits the Mode function. If Northern or Southern Hemisphere polar mode was chosen, the motor drive starts operating at the sidereal rate.

6.Use the four Arrow keys (1, Fig. 49) to slew the telescope to the desired object. To change the slew speed, press SPEED.

Changing the Polar Mode

To use the Electronic Controller to change to Northern or Southern Hemisphere polar mode, use the following procedure. This procedure also allows you to select a "Tracking Disabled" setting. Refer to Fig. 53.

1.Complete the SETTING THE POLAR HOME POSITION procedure, described on page 17.

2.Complete steps 2 through 8 as described in TO MOVE THE TELESCOPE USING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER, page 59, to initialize the Electronic Controller.

3.Press and hold MODE until lights 1 and 2 are on steady Ignore lights 3 and 4; they may or may nor appear as depicted in the figures to the left (how these lights appear depend upon what has previously has been set).

4.Press SPEED once. This changes the system to polar mode for the Earth’s Southern Hemisphere, with the motor drive set to operate at the sidereal rate.

5.Press SPEED a second time. This changes the system to polar mode for the Earth’s Northern hemisphere, with the motor drive set to operate at the sidereal rate.

6.Press SPEED a third time to disable tracking.

7.Use the SPEED key as described in the above steps to cycle among these three modes (Southern Hemisphere polar, Northern Hemisphere-polar, or Tracking Disabled) until the desired mode is shown by the appropriate light configuration.

8.Press and hold MODE until just one light is on. This exits the Mode function. If you choose Northern or Southern Hemisphere polar mode, the motor drive starts operating at the sidereal rate.

9.Use the four Arrow keys to slew the telescope to the desired object. To change the slew speed, press SPEED.

Optional Autostar™ Computer Controller for LXD75 EC Users

One of the most important advances in telescope control in the past 25 years, the Meade Autostar Computer Controller turns your LXD75 EC model into an automatic celestial object locating system. Just plug Autostar into the telescope’s HBX port in place of the standard-equipment Electronic Controller, do a quick telescope align- ment, and you are ready to observe any object in the Autostar’s 30,000-object data- base.

Best of all, the Meade Autostar is easy to use. Even the most novice observer will locate dozens of fascinating celestial objects the very first night out. Study Saturn and its ring system; the primary cloud belts of Jupiter as well as its four major satellites; the moon-like phases of Mercury and Venus; prominent features on Mars. The Moon stands out in stark, almost three-dimensional detail—craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines. In our galaxy, the telescope displays hundreds of nebulae, star clusters, double and multiple stars, and variable stars—plus dozens of external galaxies in all their variation of form and structure.

Any of Autostar’s database objects can be called up and entered on the hand con- troller display in seconds. The observer then simply presses the GO TO pushbutton and watches as the telescope automatically slews to the object and places it in the field of view. Autostar moves the telescope to automatically track (follow) the object across the sky. Autostar brings into easy access objects that were previously unreach- able for all but the most dedicated of amateur astronomers.

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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 Features Autostar FeaturesTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Tip Telescope Assembly How to Assemble Your TelescopeAccessories Getting StartedViewfinder 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 OnlyObserve the Moon Setting the Polar Home PositionTracking Objects 16bUsing 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 MenusGlossary Menu Event MenuUtilities Menu LXD75-SeriesEnter Setup MenuObserving Considerations Setup Menu Daylight SAVING, Surf the Web To Add a Site to the user-defined site list Adding Observing SitesTo Edit a Site To GO to a user-entered object Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the LibrariesLandmarks Observing SatellitesTo Add a landmark to the database To Select a landmark from the database To Check on the Available MemoryTo perform a Landmark Survey Few tips on photography with the LXD75-Seriestelescopes PhotographyPhotography 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 5 Model SN-6AT, SN-6EC Specifications Specifications4 Model SN-8AT, SN-8EC Specifications 9.3 Model AR-5AT, AR-5EC Specifications 10 f/4 Model SN-10AT Specifications8 Model AR-6AT Specifications 5 Model N-6EC Specifications 10 Model SC-8AT SpecificationsAutostar Dimensions Autostar SpecificationsMeade Customer Service Inspecting the OpticsAppendix a Celestial Coordinates Setting CirclesPolar Alignment Locating the Celestial PoleOne-Star Polar Alignment Two-Star Polar AlignmentPolar Alignment Viewfinder Method #1 Three-Star Alignment Using AutostarEnhancement Methods To perform the Three-Star AlignmentProcedure #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 Update Menu Option Method #4 Smart Drive Training Periodic Error CorrectionPEC Train Menu Option PEC Erase Menu OptionLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World Appendix C Latitude ChartCity State/Prov./Country Latitude City Country LatitudeAppendix D EC Handbox Modes of Operation To move the telescope using the Electronic ControllerSlew 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 MountAutostar Glossary Appendix F Basic AstronomyObjects in Space MoonDeep-Sky Objects PlanetsFurther Study Page Meade Limited Warranty

LXD75 specifications

The Meade LXD75 series represents a remarkable range of telescopes designed for both amateur astronomers and advanced users seeking high-quality performance at an affordable price. Known for its robust construction and innovative technology, the LXD75 aims to provide a user-friendly experience while catering to the demands of stargazers looking for sophistication in their equipment.

One of the main features of the LXD75 is its advanced German equatorial mount, which provides exceptional stability and tracking accuracy. This mount is equipped with dual-axis servo motors facilitating smooth movements, making it easy to locate and follow celestial objects. The LXD75 also includes a built-in autostar system featuring a database of over 30,000 celestial objects, allowing users to effortlessly navigate the night sky with a push of a button.

The LXD75 series includes several models, each with different optical configurations to suit the preferences of various users. The telescopes come with either an achromatic refractor or Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design, providing clear and bright images. The Schmidt-Cassegrain models offer a compact design with a fast focal ratio, making them excellent for both astrophotography and visual observation.

In terms of build, the Meade LXD75 features high-quality optics with multi-coated lenses, reducing glare and enhancing light transmission. This results in sharper and brighter images, making it easier to observe delicate details on planets, the moon, and deep-sky objects. The telescope tubes are crafted from durable materials, ensuring longevity and resilience against the elements.

Another characteristic worth noting is the ease of setup and operation. The LXD75 mount comes equipped with adjustable legs and can be easily assembled, requiring minimal tools. The intuitive control system also features a user-friendly interface, allowing both novices and experienced astronomers to operate the telescope with confidence.

For astrophotography enthusiasts, the LXD75 provides excellent support, with a wide range of accessories available to enhance imaging capabilities. The mount can accommodate various cameras, providing flexibility for capturing stunning astronomical photographs.

In summary, the Meade LXD75 series delivers a robust combination of features, technologies, and characteristics designed to meet the needs of both amateur and advanced astronomers. With its reliable mount, quality optics, and ease of use, the LXD75 ensures that stargazers can enjoy the wonders of the universe with clarity and precision.
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