Meade DS-114AT instruction manual Caring for Your Telescope, Collimation

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CARING FOR YOUR TELESCOPE

Your DS-114AT telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding observations. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, your tele- scope 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 battery pack. Batteries left in the battery pack for prolonged periods may leak, causing damage.

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

Your DS-114AT may occasionally require re-alignment, particularly if the telescope has received rough handling in shipment. Good optical alignment is essential for telescope per- formance, and in any case the alignment procedure is not difficult to follow.

The optical systems of the DS-114AT reflecting telescopes includes the following parts: primary mirror (1, Fig. 26); secondary mirror (2, Fig. 26); secondary mirror-holder (3, Fig. 26); secondary mirror-vanes (4, Fig. 26) and (1, Fig. 27); primary mirror-tilt screws (5, Fig. 26). The telescope’s image is brought to a focus at (6, Fig. 26).

1.Confirm alignment - To confirm optical alignment look down the focuser drawtube (1, Fig. 29) with the eyepiece removed. The edge of the focuser drawtube frames reflections of the primary mirror (2, Fig. 29), the secondary mirror (3, Fig. 29), the three (“spider”) vanes (4, Fig. 29) holding the secondary mirror, and the observer’s eye (5, Fig. 29). With the optics properly aligned, all of these reflections appear concentric (centered), as shown in Fig. 29. Any deviation from concentricity of any of these telescope parts with the eye requires adjustments to the secondary mirror-holder (Fig. 27) and/or the primary mirror cell (Fig. 28), as described below.

2.Secondary mirror-vane adjustments: If the secondary mirror (1, Fig. 30) is left or right of cen- ter within the drawtube (2, Fig. 30), slightly loosen the 3-vane adjustment/lock knobs (1, Fig. 27) 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. 30) is above- or below-center within the drawtube, thread inward one of the adjustment/lock knobs (1, Fig. 27) while unthreading another of these knobs. Only make adjustments to two knobs at a time until the secondary mirror appears as in Fig. 31.

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Contents Meade Instruments Corporation Reflecting Telescope Contents QUICK-START Guide Remove the optical tube and tripod from the gift- boxRemove the optical tube from the mount Stand the tripod and orient the cradle ringsAdjust tripod Attach and balance the optical tubeInsert the eyepiece Sight along the tubeLED Telescope Features Computer Control Panel bAutostar Features #494 Autostar HandboxSlew speeds? Getting Started How to Assemble Your TelescopePacking List Some Notes About the Dual-Motor System Focusing the ViewfinderViewfinder Barlow Lens Choosing an EyepieceAligning the Viewfinder Observing Using Autostars Arrow Keys ObservingObserving by Moving the Telescope Manually Terrestrial ObservingSlew Speeds Observe the MoonAstronomical Observing Tracking an Object AutomaticallyMoving Through Autostar’s Menus Alt/Az Home PositionInitializing Autostar Training the Drive How to Easy Align Your Telescope Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking FeatureEasy Two-Star Align Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentOne of the most beautiful celes- tial sights, Saturn Basic Autostar Operation Autostar Navigation ExerciseEntering Numbers and Text into Autostar Adjusting the Speed of a Scrolling MessageNavigating Autostar Menus and Menu Options Object MenuEvent Menu Observing ConsiderationsGlossary Menu Utilities MenuSetup Menu Surf the WebPage Menu Daylight SAVING, Caring for Your Telescope CollimationPage Specifications DS-114ATOptional Accessories Meade Customer ServiceAppendix a Locating the Celestial PoleUsing Autostar to Find Objects Not in the Database To GO to a user-entered objectAppendix C Observing SatellitesSky & Telescope Objects in Space MoonPlanets Deep-Sky ObjectsPage Meade Instruments Corporation

DS-114AT specifications

The Meade DS-114AT is a popular entry-level telescope that combines user-friendliness with impressive optical performance, making it an excellent choice for budding astronomers and hobbyists. With its robust design and advanced features, the DS-114AT offers a gateway to the wonders of the cosmos, whether you’re observing the craters of the Moon, the rings of Saturn, or distant star clusters.

One of the standout features of the Meade DS-114AT is its 114 mm (4.5-inch) diameter aperture. This sizable opening allows for greater light-gathering capability, resulting in brighter images and improved visibility of celestial objects. The telescope is equipped with a 900 mm focal length, providing a good balance that allows for both wide-field viewing and detailed observations of planets and lunar features.

The DS-114AT utilizes high-quality optics featuring a parabolic mirror design. This design minimizes spherical aberration, ensuring crisp images of astronomical targets. The telescope is also equipped with a fully coated optical system that enhances light transmission and reduces glare, providing clearer images compared to other telescopes in its class.

Portability is another significant advantage of the Meade DS-114AT. Its lightweight and compact design allows for easy transportation, making it ideal for backyard stargazing or trips to darker skies. The telescope comes with a sturdy yet lightweight altazimuth mount that facilitates smooth movement, allowing users to easily locate and track celestial objects.

The Meade DS-114AT also features a user-friendly electronic control system, including an automated GoTo functionality that aids in navigating the night sky. With a simple push of a button, users can precisely locate thousands of celestial objects, making the telescope accessible for beginners who may not yet be familiar with star maps and constellations.

Additionally, the telescope includes two eyepieces, a 9 mm and a 25 mm, allowing for various magnifications to suit different viewing preferences. The optical finder scope aids in quick alignment, ensuring a hassle-free observing experience.

In summary, the Meade DS-114AT stands out as a versatile, user-friendly telescope that provides excellent optical performance and advanced features. Its combination of a sizable aperture, high-quality optics, portability, and automated features make it an ideal choice for those looking to explore the universe, whether for casual observations or more serious astronomical pursuits. With this telescope, the night sky is truly within reach.