Meade LX90GPS instruction manual Appendix C Training the Drive

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APPENDIX C: TRAINING THE DRIVE

Train the telescope motors using AutoStar. Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any pointing accuracy problems. Fig. 33 depicts the complete Drive Training procedure.

NOTE: Use a terrestrial object, such as a telephone pole or lamp post, to train the drive.

LX90 TIPS

Complete this exercise once every 3 to 6 months to

 

1

Verify that AUTOSTAR

 

Press

>

until it

12

INITIALIZATION is

 

 

 

is centered

 

complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scope slews left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

Press MODE until

 

 

 

Bring target back

 

 

 

to center using

Select Item is displayed.

 

 

 

ENTER

the Right Arrow key.

 

Select Item

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Object

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press

<

until it

 

 

 

Press the scroll

 

13

 

 

 

is centered

 

 

up key once.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scope slews right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bring target back

 

Select Item

4

ENTER

to center using

 

Setup

the Left Arrow key.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E

Access the Setup

 

Train Drive

 

menu.

 

 

 

 

NTER

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

Az. Train

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Setup

 

 

 

 

Menu returns to

 

 

5

 

 

Az. training.

 

 

Align

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multiple presses.

 

Train Drive

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

Alt. Train

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Setup

 

 

EN

Altitude

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telescope

6

 

TER

(vertical)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

training.

 

 

 

Access the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENTER

Telescope menu.

 

Drive Setup

16

 

 

 

 

 

For this op. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telescope

7

E

NTER

Reminder to

 

use terrestrial

 

Telescope Model

 

1

 

 

 

 

Multiple presses.

 

 

target.

 

 

 

 

Center reference

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

object

 

 

 

 

Telescope

8

ENTER

Center target

 

Train Drive

using Arrow

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choose the Train

 

 

keys.

 

 

E

 

Press

> until it

 

 

Drive option.

 

 

 

NTER

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

is centered

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Train Drive

 

 

 

Scope slews down.

 

9

 

 

Bring target back

 

Az. Train

 

 

 

 

 

 

to center using

 

 

Azimuth

 

ENTER

 

E

 

the Up Arrow key.

 

(horizontal)

 

 

 

 

 

 

NTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

training.

 

 

Press

>until it

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

Drive Setup

 

 

is centered

 

10

 

 

 

For this op. . .

 

 

Scope slews up.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTER

Reminder to

 

 

Bring target back

 

use terrestrial

ENTER

to center using

 

 

target.

 

the Down Arrow key.

 

Center reference

11

 

Train Drive

20

 

object.

 

 

 

Az. Train

 

 

Center target

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multiple presses.

 

ENTER

using Arrow

MODE

 

 

 

 

 

keys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select Item

21

 

 

 

 

 

Object

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 33: Training the Drive Procedure.

Further Study....

This manual gives only the briefest introduction to astronomy. If you are interested in pursuing further studies in astronomy, a few topics are suggested below that are worth reading up on (some of the topics are easy and some are quite challenging). Try look- ing up some of these in the AutoStar glossary.

Also included below is a small sampling of books, magazines and organizations that you might find helpful.

Topics

1.How is a star born? How does a solar system form?

2.How is the distance to a star measured? What is a light year? What is red shift and blue shift?

3.How are the craters on our Moon formed? Is there water under the surface of the Moon?

4.What is a black hole? A neutron star? A quark star? A gamma burster? An Einstein lens?

5.What are stars made of? Why are stars different colors? How is the elemental composition of a star determined? What is an Lyman Alpha forest?

6.What is the difference between a Type 1 and a Type II supernova?

7.What is the importance of studying the composition of comets? Where do comets come from?

8.How old is our Sun? Will our Sun evolve into a planetary nebula or go supernova?

9.What is the Inflationary Big Bang? What is dark matter? What are MACHO's?

10.How are extrasolar planets discovered? What is an accre- tion (or protoplanetary) disk?

11.What are the differences between elliptical, spiral and irreg- ular galaxies? Can globular clusters be older than the uni- verse itself?

Books

1.The Guide to Amateur Astronomy by Jack Newton and Philip Teece

2.The Sky: A User’s Guide by David Levy

3.Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno & Dan Davis

4.Astrophotography for the Amateur by Michael Covington

Magazines

1.Sky & Telescope

Box 9111, Belmont, MA 02178

2.Astronomy

Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187

Organizations:

1.Astronomical League Executive Secretary

5675 Real del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88012

2.The Astronomical Society of the Pacific

390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112

3.The Planetary Society

65 North Catalina Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

And watch Jack Horkheimer, Star Gazer, on your local PBS station. Visit Jack’s website at: www.jackstargazer.com

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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 Using AutoStars Arrow Keys ObservingObserving By Moving the Telescope Manually Terrestrial ObservingSlew Speeds Observe the MoonAstronomical Observing To Track an Object AutomaticallyMoving Through AutoStar’s Menus 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 Advanced Autostar Features Adding Observing SitesTo Add a Site to the user-defined site list To Edit a SiteUsing AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the Database Observing Satellites To GO to a user-entered objectHow to Create Your Own Guided Tour Command LineWhat you will need Tour ModesWriting a Tour TitlePick END Landmarks Downloading ToursTo Add a landmark to the database To Select a landmark from the databaseIdentify Alternate Alt/Az AlignmentsTo perform a Landmark Survey To check on the available amount of memory in AutoStarHow to perform the Easy Align Procedure Easy Two-Star AlignmentTwo-Star Alt/Az 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 ImagerOptional Accessories Eyepiece Power 2x Barlow Super Plössl 4-elementsSuper Wide Angle 6-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 CoordinatesSetting Circles Locating the Celestial PoleAutoStar Polar Alignment Easy Polar AlignmentLining Up with the Celestial Pole Equatorial WedgePrecise Polar Alignment Follow these steps Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World City State/Prov./Country LatitudeCity 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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