Meade DS-2000 instruction manual

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DS-2000TIPS
Surf the Web
One of the most exciting resources for astrono- my is the Internet. The Internet is full of web- sites with new images, discoveries, and the lat- est astronomical information. For example, when comet Hale-Bopp made its approach to our Sun in 1998, astronomers around the world posted new photos daily.
You can find websites for virtually any topic relating to astronomy on the Internet. Try the following key word searches: NASA, Hubble, HST, astronomy, Messier, satellite, nebula, black hole, variable stars, extrasolar, Chandra, gamma burster, comets, Astronomy Day, etc.
Check out Meade’s website for the latest prod- uct and technical information. You can down- load the latest software revisions, links to other astronomical sites, coordinates of celestial objects, and the latest satellite tracking informa- tion for the Autostar handbox. See page 37 for more information. You’ll find our website at:
http://www.meade.com/
Here are some other sites you might find useful:
• Sky & Telescope: http://www.skypub.com/
• Astronomy: http://www.astronomy.com/astro/
• The Starfield: http://users.nac.net/gburke/
• Astronomy Picture of the Day: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.goc/apod/
• Heaven’s Above (satellite information): http://www.heavens-above.com/
• Photographic Atlas of the Moon: http://www.lpi.ursa.edu/research/lunar_orbiter
• Hubble Space Telescope Public Pictures http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/pictures.html

Arrow key and also slews the tube more slowly. Experiment with this option. Try changing the percent value until you get a "feel" for the Arrow keys that is comfortable for you.

Alt Percent: The Alt (Altitude) Percent operates identical to the AZ Percent option (see above), but allows you to change the altitude backlash, i.e., the way the Arrow keys move the telescope when moving along the altitude (vertical) axis.

■Train Drive: Trains the Altitude and Azimuth motors to locate objects with more precision.

If you are experiencing any problems with pointing accuracy, follow the procedure described in “APPENDIX D: TRAINING THE DRIVE,” page 38, to insure accurate pointing and tracking.

■Tracking Rate: Changes the speed at which the telescope tracks targets in the sky.

a.Sidereal: The default setting for Autostar; sidereal rate is the standard rate at which stars move from East to West across the sky due to the rotation of the Earth.

b.Lunar: Choose this option to properly track the Moon over long observing sessions.

c.Custom: Allows entry of user-defined tracking rates.

■Reverse L/R: Reverses the functions of the Left and Right Arrow keys (i.e., the Right key moves the telescope to the left).

■Reverse UP/DOWN: Reverses the functions of the Up and Down Arrow keys (i.e., the Up key moves the telescope down).

■ Calibrate Motor: If the telescope motors appear to have a problem, use this option to retest the motors before performing a Reset. This option is also used if an Autostar unit is moved between tele- scopes, to match Autostar to the new tel- escope. To calibrate the motors, select this option and press ENTER.

■ High Precision: If High Precision is turned on, when looking for a faint celes- tial object (i.e., a nebula or galaxy), Autostar first slews to a nearby bright star and displays "ENTER to Sync." Center the star in the eyepiece, then press ENTER. At that point the telescope has a high precision alignment to that part of the sky and it then slews to the object that was originally requested.

Targets switches between Astronomical tar- gets and Terrestrial targets. If "Astronomical" is selected, the telescope tracking motor is activated and any object you observe will remain centered in the eyepiece. If "Terrestrial" is selected, the tracking motor is turned off. To learn how to track an object automatically, see page 16.

Site provides access to several options including:

■ Select: Displays the currently selected observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through all available sites (see ADD below). Press ENTER when the site you wish to select displays. Use this option when you move to a different geographic location.

■Add: Allows you to add new observing sites to the database (up to six sites may

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Contents Meade Instruments Corporation Refracting Telescope Contents QUICK-START Guide 7bF Inset a Dec. Setting Computer Control Panel Fig. Ic Telescope Features#494 Autostar Handbox DS-2000 Tips Autostar FeaturesSecure the tripod turn the tripod lock knob How to Assemble Your Telescope Getting StartedPacking List Viewfinder Focusing the 5 x 24mm ViewfinderAligning the Viewfinder Focusing the 6 x 30mm ViewfinderBarlow Lens Choosing an EyepieceTerrestrial Observing Observing Using Autostars Arrow KeysObserving Observing by Moving the Telescope ManuallyTo Track an Object Automatically Slew SpeedsObserve the Moon Astronomical ObservingAlt/Az Home Position Moving Through Autostar’s MenusInitializing Autostar Easy Two-Star Align Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking FeatureAlignment Star? How to Easy Align Your TelescopeTake a Guided Tour Two-Star Alt/Az AlignmentOne-Star Alt/Az Alignment Go To SaturnAutostar Navigation Exercise Basic Autostar OperationAdjusting the Speed of a Scrolling Message Entering Numbers and Text into AutostarNavigating Autostar Object Menu Menus and Menu OptionsEvent Menu Utilities Menu Glossary MenuSetup Menu Page Menu Daylight SAVING, Optional Accessories Collimation Caring for Your TelescopePage Meade Customer Service DS-2060 SpecificationsDS-2114S Appendix a Celestial CoordinatesLocating the Celestial Pole Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the Database Appendix BTo GO to a user-entered object Observing Satellites Appendix CTraining the Drive Appendix DElectronic Controller DS-2000EC Users Only Appendix ESlew Speeds Moon Basic AstronomyAutostar Glossary Objects in SpaceDeep-Sky Objects PlanetsPage Meade Instruments Corporation

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.
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