Meade LXD55 instruction manual Procedure #2 To correct for elevation misalignment, Position a

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Fig. 39: Position A.

Fig. 40: Position B.

2.Loosen the R.A. Lock (33, Fig. 1d) and the Dec. Lock (17, Fig. 1d). Point the tube so that it is above the tripod leg marked with a star. Retighten the Dec. Lock. Move the counterweight shaft and mount so that it is parallel to the horizon. This is position A. See Fig. 39. Retighten the R.A. Lock.

3.If using a Schmidt Newtonian model, rotate the optical tube (you will need to loosen the cradle ring lock knobs (13, Fig. 1a) to do so) to make sure the focuser extends horizontally from the optical tube while in position A and do not rotate the tube for the remainder of the alignment procedure.

If using a refractor model, use the diagonal assembly to rotate the eyepiece during testing. However, be careful that the diagonal is placed flush against the focuser and tightened in place using the thumbscrews. It is important that the diagonal does not slip during the procedure.

4.Adjust the tripod legs, polar axis altitude and/or polar axis azimuth so that the wide, horizontal object you have chosen as a target is positioned across the mid- dle of the eyepiece.

Procedure #1: Step 4

 

 

 

 

Step 5

 

 

 

 

Step 6

 

 

 

 

Step 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Note: The image will appear right-side-up, but reversed left-for- right, in the eyepiece of a refractor telescope. The image will appear upside-down, but correct left-for-right, in the eyepiece of a Scmidt- Newtonian telescope, if the eyepiece extends horizontally from the tube, as described in Step #3.

5.Loosen the R.A. Lock (Tip: Make sure you do not accidentally loosen the Dec. Lock. If you do, restart the procedure beginning at Step #2). Rotate the telescope 180° in the R.A. axis ONLY, until the optical tube is in position B. See Fig. 40. Note the position of your target in the eyepiece.

6.Using the Autostar Up and Down Arrow keys ONLY, move the optical tube in Dec. axis until your target is HALFWAY back to the center of the eyepiece.

7.Rotate the telescope 180° in the R.A. axis ONLY, to return the optical tube to posi- tion A. Verify that your target is in the same location in the eyepiece vertically as in the previous step (that is, it is not higher or lower or absent from the eyepiece). Ignore side-to-side misalignment (that is, if it has moved to the right or left).

8.Repeat steps 6 and 7, if necessary, alternating positions A and B, until the hori- zontal object is in the same vertical location in the eyepiece in both positions.

9.The Dec. optical axis is now calibrated to be at 90 degrees. For Procedure #2, DO NOT adjust the declination of the optical tube, either manually or with the handbox.

Procedure #2: To correct for elevation misalignment

After performing the attitude correction, select an object that is at a very great distance (at least a mile away) to approximate infinity. Ideally, the object should be unique, with several identifiable objects to the left and right of it.

Procedure #2: Step 2

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

1.Rotate the mount about the R.A. axis only and move the optical tube to position A.

2.WITHOUT moving the declination axis from its position determined in the previ- ous alignment, adjust the legs, latitude, and azimuth of the tripod to center the object in the eyepiece.

3.Rotate the telescope 180° in the R.A. axis ONLY, until optical tube is in position B.

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Contents Meade Instruments Corporation Page Contents 1 1% g f e Telescope Features$2% LXD55-SeriesYour Personal Window to the Universe Computer Control Panel see e LXD55 Tips Autostar Features FeaturesTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Tip Getting Started How to Assemble Your TelescopeTelescope Assembly AccessoriesViewfinder assembly Schmidt-Newtonian models Insert eyepiece into holder and tighten thumbscrews Balancing the TelescopeChoosing an Eyepiece Aligning the ViewfinderObserving by Moving the Telescope Manually Too Much Power?Slew Speeds Autostar Models Only Activate the Arrow Keys Autostar Models Only16b Setting the Polar Home PositionObserve the Moon Tracking ObjectsUsing 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 MenusLXD55-Series Event MenuGlossary Menu Utilities MenuEnter Setup MenuObserving Considerations Setup Menu Daylight SAVING, Surf the Web Adding Observing Sites To Add a Site to the user-defined site listTo Edit a Site To GO to a user-entered object Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the LibrariesObserving Satellites LandmarksTo Add a landmark to the database To Check on the Available Memory To Select a landmark from the databaseTo perform a Landmark Survey Few tips on photography with the LXD55-Seriestelescopes Photography10 f/4 Optional AccessoriesSeries 4000 Photo-Visual Page General Maintenance MaintenanceD e f g Page Defocused star images. Misaligned 1, 2, Aligned Inspecting the Optics Meade Customer ServiceSpecifications 5 Model SN-6, SN-6EC Specifications4 Model SN-8, SN-8EC Specifications 10 f/4 Model SN-10 Specifications 9.3 Model AR-5, AR-5EC Specifications8 Model AR-6 Specifications 10 Model SC-8 Specifications Autostar SpecificationsAutostar Dimensions Appendix a Celestial Coordinates Setting CirclesTwo-Star Polar Alignment Locating the Celestial PoleOne- and Two-Star Polar Alignment One-Star Polar AlignmentMethod 1 Manual Alignment Axis Alignment ProcedureProcedure #1 To correct for attitude misalignment Polar Alignment ViewfinderPosition a Procedure #2 To correct for elevation misalignmentTips Star ChartsMethod 2 Axis Alignment Using Autostar City Country Latitude Appendix C Latitude ChartLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World City State/Prov./Country LatitudeAppendix D EC Handbox To move the telescope using the Electronic Controller Modes of OperationSlew Speeds Tracking Rates Optional Autostar Computer Controller for LXD55 EC Users Changing the Polar ModeMounting the SC bracket and optical tube to the mount How to Attach the Optical Tube to the MountMoon Appendix F Basic AstronomyAutostar Glossary Objects in SpaceDeep-Sky Objects PlanetsFurther Study Page Meade Instruments Corporation
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