Meade LX90GPS instruction manual Contents

Page 3

WARNING!

Never use a Meade® LX90Telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye damage is often painless, so there is no warning to the observer that dam- age has occurred until it is too late. Do not point the telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope or SmartFinder as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observ- ing.

CAUTION: Use care to install batteries in the orientation indicated by illustration in the bat- tery slots of the battery holder. Follow battery manufacturer's precautions. Do not install batteries backwards or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batteries void your Meade warranty.

If you are anxious to use your telescope for the first time, read the QUICK-START GUIDE on pages 4 and 5.

®The name "Meade," “AutoStar” and the Meade logo are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in principal countries throughout the world.

“SmartFinder,” “Deep Sky Imager,” “LX90,” “LPI,” and “Tonight’s Best” are trademarks of Meade Instruments Corporation.

Patents:

US 6,304,376

US 6,392,799

US 6,563,636

D422,610 Patent Pending.

© 2006 Meade Instruments Corporation.

CONTENTS

 

Quick-Start Guide

4

Telescope Features

6

To Attach the Handbox Holder

8

AutoStar® Features

9

Getting Started

12

Parts Listing

12

How to Attach the Tripod to the Telescope

12

How to Assemble Your Telescope

13

Choosing an Eyepiece

14

Using SmartFinder

14

Aligning SmartFinder and the Viewfinder

15

Observing

16

Observing By Moving the Telescope Manually

16

Terrestrial Observing

16

Observing Using AutoStar's Arrow Keys

16

Slew Speeds

17

Observe the Moon

17

Astronomical Observing

18

To Track an Object Automatically

18

Alt/Az Home Position

18

Moving Through AutoStar’s Menus

18

Automatic Alignment

18

Observe a Star Using Automatic Tracking

19

Go To Saturn

20

Using the Guided Tour

20

Basic AutoStar Operation

22

AutoStar Navigation Exercise

22

Entering Data into AutoStar

23

Navigating AutoStar

23

Menus and Menu Options

24

Complete AutoStar Menu Structure

24

Objects Menu

25

Event Menu

26

Glossary Menu

26

Utilities Menu

26

Setup Menu

28

Advanced AutoStar Features

31

Adding Observing Sites

31

Finding Objects Not in the Database

32

Observing Satellites

33

How to Create Your Own Guided Tour

34

Landmarks

37

Identify

38

Alternate Alt/Az Alignments

38

Browse

40

Photography with the LX90

41

Optional Accessories

43

Maintenance

45

Collimation

45

Inspecting the Optics

47

Gauging the Movement of the Telescope

47

Meade Customer Service

47

Specifications

48

Appendix A: Equatorial (Polar) Alignment

50

Appendix B: Helpful Charts

55

Appendix C: Training the Drive

56

Appendix D: Basic Astronomy

55

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Contents 10, 12 LX90GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical System Contents QUICK-START Guide ON/OFF E D Telescope FeaturesComputer Control Panel LX90 Your Personal Window to the UniverseTo Attach the Handbox Holder Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Autostar FeaturesTopmost screen Select Item Object Down, left, and right, at any Slew SPEEDS, page 17. Getting Started How to Attach the Tripod to the Telescope AssemblyPrecautionary notes for the tripod How to Assemble Your TelescopeChoosing an Eyepiece Using SmartFinderAligning the Viewfinder Aligning SmartFinderTerrestrial Observing Observing Using AutoStars Arrow KeysObserving Observing By Moving the Telescope ManuallyObserve the Moon Slew SpeedsTo prepare your telescope for Automatic Alignment Astronomical ObservingTo Track an Object Automatically Moving Through AutoStar’s MenusImportant Tip Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking FeatureGo To Saturn Using the Guided TourLX90 Tips Global Positioning System AutoStar Navigation Exercise Basic Autostar OperationEntering Data into AutoStar Navigating AutoStarTo Calculate Sunset time Select Item Object Menus and Menu OptionsObject Menu Event Menu Glossary MenuUtilities Menu Observing Considerations Setup Menu Page Delete Deletes a stored site from the database To Edit a Site Advanced Autostar FeaturesAdding Observing Sites To Add a Site to the user-defined site listUsing AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the Database To GO to a user-entered object Observing SatellitesTour Modes How to Create Your Own Guided TourCommand Line What you will needTitle Writing a TourPick END To Select a landmark from the database LandmarksDownloading Tours To Add a landmark to the databaseTo check on the available amount of memory in AutoStar IdentifyAlternate Alt/Az Alignments To perform a Landmark SurveyTo Set the Home Position Manually How to perform the Easy Align ProcedureEasy Two-Star Alignment Two-Star Alt/Az AlignmentBrowse One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentPhotography with the LX90 Few tips on photography with the LX90Photography with a Digital Camera Meade Deep Sky Imager Photography with Meade’s AutoStar SuiteUltra Wide Angle 8-elements Optional AccessoriesEyepiece Power 2x Barlow Super Plössl 4-elements Super Wide Angle 6-elements#62 T-Adapter Collimation MaintenancePage Meade Consumer Solutions Service Inspecting the OpticsGauging the Movement of the Telescope 10 LX90 Specifications LX90 Specifications12 LX90 Specifications AutoStar SpecificationsAutoStar Dimensions Celestial Coordinates Polar AlignmentEasy Polar Alignment Setting CirclesLocating the Celestial Pole AutoStar Polar AlignmentEquatorial Wedge Lining Up with the Celestial PolePrecise Polar Alignment Follow these steps City State/Country Latitude Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the WorldCity State/Prov./Country Latitude City Country LatitudeAppendix C Training the Drive AutoStar Glossary Objects in SpaceMoon Deep-Sky Objects PlanetsPage 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.