Terrestrial Observing

OBSERVING

Observing by Moving the Telescope Manually

If you wish to observe a distant land object, such as a mountain top or a bird, you can observe by merely pointing the telescope and looking through the eyepiece.

1.Loosen the telescope’s tripod base lock knob (26, Fig. 1) and Dec. lock (6, Fig. 1).

2.Move your telescope to observe distant street signs, mountains, trees, and other struc- tures. Use your viewfinder to help site-in on an object.

3.Center the object in the viewfinder’s crosshairs and then in the telescope eyepiece. When the object is centered in your eyepiece, remember to re-tighten the base and Dec. locks.

4.Practice focusing objects with the focus knob (1, Fig. 1).

5.Once you get a feel for how your telescope moves and focuses, try to view something more challenging, like a bird or a distant moving train.

You can also observe stars and objects in the night sky using this method, but note that objects begin to slowly drift across the eyepiece field. This motion is caused by the rotation of the Earth. As you become familiar with the Autostar handbox operation, you can counteract the drift using the automatic tracking feature in the Autostar Setup menu (see TO TRACK AN OBJECT AUTO- MATICALLY, page 16), or by using Autostar's GO TO capabilities (seeGO TO SATURN, page 20).

DS-2000 Series Telescopes are excellent high-resolution, terrestrial (land) telescopes. Viewing terrestrial objects requires looking along the Earth's surface through heat waves. These heat waves often cause degradation of image quality. Lower power eyepieces, such as a 25mm eye- piece, magnify these heat waves less than higher power eyepieces. Therefore, lower power eyepieces provide a steadier, higher quality image. If the image is fuzzy or ill-defined, reduce to a lower power eyepiece, where the heat waves do not have such an effect on image quali- ty. Observing in early morning hours, before the ground has built up internal heat, produces bet- ter viewing conditions than during late afternoon hours.

Observing Using Autostar's Arrow Keys

You may observe land and astronomical objects using Autostar's Arrow keys to move the tele- scope.

1.Make sure that the Dec. locks (10, Fig. 1) and tripod base lock knob (26, Fig. 1) are secured as described on page 11.

2.Verify that Autostar is properly connected to your telescope. See HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE, page 11.

3.Flip the telescope power switch to the ON position.

The Autostar screen is activated and a copyright message displays briefly, followed by a short beep. Then Autostar takes a few moments to start up the system.

4.A message displays that warns not to look at the Sun. At the end of this message, press the key prompted by Autostar to signify that the message has been read and understood.

5.The Arrow keys are now activated. Press the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to slew (move) the tel- escope up, down, right, or left.

6.Press the SPEED/? key (8, Fig. 2) to change the telescope’s slew speed. See SLEW SPEEDS, page 16, for more information.

7.Use the viewfinder (7, Fig. 1) to locate an object and practice using the Autostar’s Arrow keys to center the object in the telescope eyepiece's field of view.

8.Use the telescope’s focus knob (1, Fig. 1) to bring the object into focus.

DS-2000 specifications

The Meade DS-2000 is a versatile and user-friendly telescope that caters to both beginners and seasoned astronomers alike. Known for its exceptional performance and ease of use, the DS-2000 series has become a popular choice among amateur stargazers. This telescope features a robust design coupled with advanced technologies that enhance the overall observing experience.

One of the standout features of the Meade DS-2000 is its sturdy mount, which provides stability during observations. This stability is crucial for clearer and more detailed views of celestial objects, as it minimizes vibrations and shakes that can occur while tracking objects across the night sky. The telescope typically comes with an adjustable aluminum tripod to further enhance stability and can handle varying weights and instruments.

The DS-2000 series utilizes an electronically controlled altazimuth mount, allowing users to easily navigate the sky with its automatic tracking capabilities. This intuitive design ensures that even novice astronomers can locate and follow astronomical objects with minimal effort. The built-in computer control allows users to access a database of thousands of celestial bodies, making it easy to select targets for viewing.

In terms of optics, the Meade DS-2000 features high-quality glass optics with multi-coated lenses. This ensures superior light transmission and contrast, resulting in bright, clear images of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. The telescope typically offers a range of apertures, making it suitable for various observing preferences and conditions.

Furthermore, the Meade DS-2000 is often equipped with a 9mm or 25mm eyepiece, enabling users to achieve magnifications adequate for observing different types of celestial phenomena. The addition of a built-in red-dot finder makes it easier to aim and locate objects in the night sky.

Portability is another significant characteristic of the DS-2000 series. Its lightweight design allows astronomers to transport it easily to different observing locations, making spontaneous stargazing adventures possible, whether in the backyard or at a dark-sky site.

In summary, the Meade DS-2000 combines solid construction, user-friendly features, and advanced technology, making it an excellent choice for anyone interested in exploring the night sky. With its impressive optics, reliable tracking capabilities, and enhanced portability, the DS-2000 series provides an enjoyable and rewarding astronomical experience.