Caring for Your Telescope, Collimation

CARING FOR YOUR TELESCOPE

Your DS-2000 telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime of reward- ing observations. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, your telescope will rarely, if ever, require factory servicing. Maintenance guidelines include:

a.Avoid cleaning the telescope’s optics: a little dust on the front surface of the telescope’s correcting lens causes virtually no degradation of image quality and should not be consid- ered reason to clean the lens.

b.When absolutely necessary, dust on the front lens should be removed with gentle strokes of a camel hair brush or blown off with an ear syringe (available at any pharmacy). DO NOT use a commercial photographic lens cleaner.

c.Organic materials (e.g., fingerprints) on the front lens may be removed with a solution of 3 parts distilled water to 1 part isopropyl alcohol. You may also add 1 drop of biodegrad- able dishwashing soap per pint of solution. Use soft, white facial tissues and make short, gentle strokes. Change tissues often.

CAUTION: Do not use scented or lotioned tissues or damage could result to the optics.

d.If used outdoors on a humid night, water condensation on the telescope surfaces will prob- ably result. While such condensation does not normally cause any damage to the tele- scope, it is recommended that the entire telescope be wiped down with a dry cloth before the telescope is packed away. Do not, however, wipe any of the optical surfaces. Rather, simply allow the telescope to sit for some time in the warm indoor air, so that the wet opti- cal surfaces can dry unattended.

e.If your telescope is not to be used for an extended period, perhaps for one month or more, it is advisable to remove the batteries from the telescope. Batteries left in the telescope for prolonged periods may leak, causing damage to the telescope’s electronic circuitry.

f.Do not leave the telescope inside a sealed car on a warm summer day; excessive ambi- ent temperatures can damage the telescope’s internal lubrication and electronic circuitry.

Collimation

DS-2000 refracting telescopes are optically aligned (collimated) at the factory prior to shipment, and it is never necessary to re-collimate the optics of these models. Meade DS-2114mm and DS-2130mm reflecting telescope models are also factory-aligned, but may occasionally require re-alignment, particularly if the telescope has received rough handling in shipment. Before using one of these models for the first time, check the alignment of the optics as outlined in this section. Good optical alignment is essential for telescope performance, and in any case the alignment procedure is not difficult to follow.

The optical systems of Meade DS-2000 reflecting telescopes include the following parts: primary mirror (1, Fig. 23); secondary mirror (2, Fig. 23); secondary mirror-holder (3, Fig. 23); secondary mirror-vanes (4, Fig. 23) and (1, Fig. 24); primary mirror-tilt screws (5, Fig. 23). The telescope’s image is brought to a focus at (6, Fig. 23).

1.Confirm alignment - To confirm optical alignment look down the focuser drawtube (1, Fig. 26) with the eyepiece removed. The edge of the focuser drawtube frames reflections of the primary mirror (2, Fig. 26), the secondary mirror (3, Fig. 26), the three (“spider”) vanes (4, Fig. 26) holding the secondary mirror, and the observer’s eye (5, Fig. 26). With the optics properly aligned, all of these reflections appear concentric (centered), as shown in Fig. 26. Any deviation from concentricity of any of these telescope parts with the eye requires adjustments to the secondary mirror-holder (Fig. 24) and/or the primary mirror cell (Fig. 25, as described below.

2.Secondary mirror-vane adjustments: If the secondary mirror (1, Fig. 27) is left or right of cen- ter within the drawtube (2, Fig. 27), slightly loosen the 3-vane adjustment/lock knobs (1, Fig. 24) located on the outside surface of the main tube and slide the entire secondary mirror-holder sys- tem up or down in the slotted holes of the main tube until the secondary mirror is centered in the drawtube. If the secondary mirror (1, Fig. 27) is above- or below-center within the drawtube,

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.