Meade LX90GPS instruction manual Choosing an Eyepiece, Using SmartFinder

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NEVER point the telescope directly at or near the Sun at any time! Observing the Sun, even for the smallest fraction of a second, will result in instant and irreversible eye dam- age, as well as physical damage to the telescope itself.

NOTE:

For a list of magnifica- tion ratings of the eye- pieces available for the LX90 telescope, see OPTIONAL

ACCESSORIES, page

43.

Choosing an Eyepiece

A telescope’s eyepiece magnifies the image formed by the telescope’s main optics. Each eyepiece has a focal length, expressed in millimeters, or “mm.” The smaller the focal length, the higher the magnification. For example, an eyepiece with a focal length of 9mm has a higher magnification than an eyepiece with a focal length of 26mm.

Your telescope comes supplied with a Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece, which gives a wide, comfortable field of view with high image resolution.

Low power eyepieces offer a wide field of view, bright, high-contrast images, and eye relief during long observing sessions. To find an object with a telescope, always start with a lower power eyepiece such as the Super Plössl 26mm. When the object is located and centered in the eyepiece, you may wish to switch to a higher power eyepiece to enlarge the image as much as practical for prevailing seeing conditions. For information about optional eyepieces for the LX90, see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 43.

NOTE: Seeing conditions vary widely from night-to-night and site-to-site. Turbulence in the air, even on an apparently clear night, can distort images. If an image appears fuzzy and ill-defined, back off to a lower power eyepiece for a more well- resolved image (Fig. 8a and 8b).

The power or magnification of a telescope is determined by the focal length of the telescope and the focal length of the eyepiece being used. To calculate eyepiece power, divide the telescope's focal length by the eyepiece's focal length. For example, a 26mm eyepiece is supplied with the LX90. The focal length of the 8” LX90 is 2000mm (see SPECIFICATIONS, page 48).

Telescope Focal Length

2000mm

Eyepiece Focal Length

26mm

2000 ÷ 26

= 77≠

The eyepiece power, or magnification, is therefore 77X.

Using SmartFinder

As with most astronomical telescopes, an eyepiece presents a narrow field of view to the observer. As a result it is sometimes difficult to locate objects just using your eyepiece. The SmartFinder has a projected red dot that helps you to locate objects as you move your telescope. See page 10 for more information about the SmartFinder’s Finder Set menu.

To turn on SmartFinder’s red dot (continuous, without blinking):

1.Press and hold AutoStar’s MODE key for two seconds. R.A and Dec. coordinates display.

2.Keep pressing the Scroll Down key until “Finder Set: Set” displays.

3.Press ENTER. “Finder Set: Intensity” displays.

4.Press ENTER. “Finder: Blink On” displays.

5.Press Scroll Down key. A time value, in seconds, displays. For example, “00.5” may display. “00.5” is the amount of time, in seconds, that the red dot will blink “on.” (For this example, you may select or enter any value except “00.0.”) Press ENTER.

6.Press Scroll Down key“Finder: Blink Off” displays.

7.Press ENTER. Use the Number keys to enter “00.0” or press the Scroll Down

key until “00.0” displays. “00.0” is the amount of time in seconds that the red dot will remain “off.” This value, along with the value you chose in the “Finder: Blink On” menu, allows the red dot to remain on without blinking. “00.0” means there is no “off” time, so the dot will remain on continuously, without blinking.

8.Use these menus to set other blink rates. For example, If you select “00.2” in the Blink On menu, and “00.1” in the Blink Off menu, the red dot will blink on for .2 seconds and then blink off for .1 second, and then repeat the cycle until you change the values again.

9.Press and hold MODE to exit this function.

Check this alignment on a celestial object, such as the Moon or a bright star, and make any necessary refinements to the intensity and blink rate, using the method outlined above.

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Contents 10, 12 LX90GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical System Contents QUICK-START Guide ON/OFF Telescope Features E DLX90 Your Personal Window to the Universe Computer Control PanelTo Attach the Handbox Holder Autostar Features Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonTopmost screen Select Item Object Down, left, and right, at any Slew SPEEDS, page 17. How to Attach the Tripod to the Telescope Assembly Getting StartedHow to Assemble Your Telescope Precautionary notes for the tripodUsing SmartFinder Choosing an EyepieceAligning SmartFinder Aligning the ViewfinderObserving By Moving the Telescope Manually Observing Using AutoStars Arrow KeysObserving Terrestrial ObservingSlew Speeds Observe the MoonMoving Through AutoStar’s Menus Astronomical ObservingTo Track an Object Automatically To prepare your telescope for Automatic AlignmentObserve a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature Important TipUsing the Guided Tour Go To SaturnLX90 Tips Global Positioning System Basic Autostar Operation AutoStar Navigation ExerciseTo Calculate Sunset time Entering Data into AutoStarNavigating AutoStar Menus and Menu Options Select Item ObjectObject Menu Utilities Menu Event MenuGlossary Menu Observing Considerations Setup Menu Page Delete Deletes a stored site from the database To Add a Site to the user-defined site list Advanced Autostar FeaturesAdding Observing Sites To Edit a SiteUsing AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the Database Observing Satellites To GO to a user-entered objectWhat you will need How to Create Your Own Guided TourCommand Line Tour ModesWriting a Tour TitlePick END To Add a landmark to the database LandmarksDownloading Tours To Select a landmark from the databaseTo perform a Landmark Survey IdentifyAlternate Alt/Az Alignments To check on the available amount of memory in AutoStarTwo-Star Alt/Az Alignment How to perform the Easy Align ProcedureEasy Two-Star Alignment To Set the Home Position ManuallyOne-Star Alt/Az Alignment BrowsePhotography with a Digital Camera Photography with the LX90Few tips on photography with the LX90 Photography with Meade’s AutoStar Suite Meade Deep Sky ImagerSuper Wide Angle 6-elements Optional AccessoriesEyepiece Power 2x Barlow Super Plössl 4-elements Ultra Wide Angle 8-elements#62 T-Adapter Maintenance CollimationPage Gauging the Movement of the Telescope Meade Consumer Solutions ServiceInspecting the Optics LX90 Specifications 10 LX90 SpecificationsAutoStar Dimensions 12 LX90 SpecificationsAutoStar Specifications Polar Alignment Celestial CoordinatesAutoStar Polar Alignment Setting CirclesLocating the Celestial Pole Easy Polar AlignmentLining Up with the Celestial Pole Equatorial WedgePrecise Polar Alignment Follow these steps City Country Latitude Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the WorldCity State/Prov./Country Latitude City State/Country LatitudeAppendix C Training the Drive Moon AutoStar GlossaryObjects in Space Planets Deep-Sky ObjectsPage Meade Limited Warranty

LX90GPS specifications

The Meade LX90GPS is a premium telescope that offers both amateur and seasoned astronomers a powerful and user-friendly platform for exploring the night sky. This telescope blends advanced technology with robust design, making it one of the preferred choices for stargazers around the globe.

One of the standout features of the LX90GPS is its Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics. This design minimizes spherical aberration and eliminates off-axis coma, ensuring sharp, high-contrast images across the entire field of view. Coupled with a large aperture of 8, 10, or 12 inches, users can enjoy stunning views of celestial objects including planets, galaxies, and nebulae.

The telescope is equipped with a fully automated GoTo system that simplifies the hunting of celestial objects. The built-in GPS makes for effortless location setting, locking onto satellites and positioning the telescope accurately. Once set up, users can access a database containing over 30,000 celestial objects, allowing for easy navigation and exploration.

In addition to its exceptional optics and GoTo capabilities, the LX90GPS features Smart Mount technology. This innovative system incorporates adjustments based on real-time sky data, ensuring that the telescope remains aligned with celestial bodies as they move across the night sky. The LX90GPS also includes a unique Auto-Alignment feature, where a simple two-star alignment procedure helps calibrate the telescope quickly and easily.

The design of the LX90GPS is user-centric, combining functionality with comfort. The telescope comes with an easy-to-operate control panel and a large, multi-line LCD screen that displays critical information. Users can easily manage various functions and settings without fumbling through complex menus.

Additional features include the option for removable optical tubes, allowing for easy upgrades or repairs. The telescope is compatible with a variety of Meade accessories, including focal reducers and filter sets, enhancing its versatility for different observing conditions.

In conclusion, the Meade LX90GPS stands out for its remarkable optics, user-friendly technology, and impressive range of features. Whether you’re gazing at the Moon, tracking planets, or delving into deep-sky observations, the LX90GPS provides a fulfilling astronomical experience that inspires exploration and delight in the universe.
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