Meade LX90GPS instruction manual Photography with Meade’s AutoStar Suite, Meade Deep Sky Imager

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Fig. 17a: Meade Deep Sky Imager

Fig. 17b: The Lunar

Planetary Imager.

Shorter exposure times is one of the biggest drawback. Long exposures with digital cameras introduce undesirable noise and artifacts into a digital image. This limits the range of astro images to the Moon, planets and bright stars.

Some tips for better digital photos:

•If you cannot remove the lens to your camera, look for a commercially available digital T-adapter. New solutions for attaching a digital camera to a telescope are becoming available as time goes by.

•If the camera is not directly coupled to the eyepiece, keep it as close to the eyepiece as possible and center the image to be photographed to minimize vignetting (darkening of the edges of the photo).

•Try to block ambient light (from street lights, house, etc.) from the eyepiece and the camera with a piece of cardboard, a screen, etc.

•Keep extra (charged) batteries on hand for your camera as digital cameras often drain batteries in a short period of time. Rechargeable Lithium batteries provide power for a longer period than non-rechargeable batteries. If practical, use an AC adapter.

•Avoid short-focus eyepieces. They present many difficulties for digital cameras.

•If using manual focus, set to infinity. Otherwise, using the camera's autofocus is OK.

•Experiment with your camera's exposure, brightness and /or contrast settings. Keep notes for future reference.

•Clean eyepieces and camera lens as needed.

•Many digital cameras have a manual ISO setting. Short exposures times work the best.

•Use your camera's highest image quality and lowest compression settings. Although this fills up your camera's memory more quickly, it produces the best quality photos.

•Use the camera's timer or remote shutter release (if available for your camera) to minimize vibration. Wireless shutter releases may be available for some model digital cameras. If you do not have a shutter release, use the camera’s timer (sometimes called “self-timer”), which is available with most digital cameras. The timer may also help minimize vibration.

Photography with Meade’s AutoStar Suite™

The AutoStar Suite with Meade LPI™ (Lunar Planetary Imager) or Meade Deep Sky Imager™ turns your Meade LX90 telescope, AutoStar and PC into even more powerful and easy-to-use astronomical instrument.

LPI (Fig. 17b) and Deep Sky Imager (Fig. 17a) combine the power of an electronic astronomical imager with the simplicity of a web cam. Check out the following imager features:

•Achieve great results the first time out on the Moon, planets, brighter deep-sky objects and terrestrial targets.

•Easy to use with real-time display of object on your PC screen. Just center, focus and shoot.

•Magic Eye software-assisted focusing.

•Automatic and manual exposure control from .001 to 15 seconds (up to 450x longer than web cams).

•Automatically takes multiple exposures.

AutoStar Suite Software includes powerful tools to help you get the most from your Meade LX90 telescope:

•Sophisticated planetarium program with over 19 million objects.

•Select objects from the planetarium display and the telescope slews to those objects.

•Create time-lapse movies of objects, such as Jupiter

•Create your own Guided Tours.

•Advanced Image Processing Software including Unsharp Masking, Convolution Filtering and many other features.

•Control all AutoStar functions from your PC.

•Talking Telescope software translates AutoStar text to synthesized speech through PC speaker.

•Includes a cable to connect your LX90 model to your PC.

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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 ExerciseEntering Data into AutoStar Navigating AutoStarTo Calculate Sunset time Menus and Menu Options Select Item ObjectObject Menu Event Menu Glossary MenuUtilities 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 the LX90 Few tips on photography with the LX90Photography with a Digital Camera 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 Meade Consumer Solutions Service Inspecting the OpticsGauging the Movement of the Telescope LX90 Specifications 10 LX90 Specifications12 LX90 Specifications AutoStar SpecificationsAutoStar Dimensions 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 AutoStar Glossary Objects in SpaceMoon 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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