Meade 4504 Part 3 Caring for Your Telescope, Cleaning, Mount and Tripod Adjustments

Page 33

PART 3: Caring for Your Telescope

Cleaning

The lens or mirror surfaces should be cleaned as infrequently as possible. Front sur- face aluminized mirrors, in particular, should be cleaned only when absolutely neces- sary. In all cases, avoid touching any mirror surface. A little dust on the surface of a mirror or lens causes negligible loss of performance and should not be considered rea- son to clean the surface. When lens or mirror cleaning does become necessary, use a camel’s hair brush or compressed air gently to remove dust. If the telescope’s dust cover is replaced after each observing session, cleaning of the optics will rarely be required.

Mount and Tripod Adjustments

Every Meade 4504 Telescope equatorial mount and tripod is factory inspected for proper fit and function prior to shipment. It is unlikely that you will need to adjust or tighten these parts after receipt of the telescope. However, if the instrument received unusually rough handling in shipment, it is possible that some of these assemblies can be loose. To make adjustments you will need a 1/2" or 11/16" socket or adjustable end wrench, a 5/64" hex wrench, and a Phillips-head screwdriver.

The equatorial mount has four main areas that

 

 

can be adjusted: A loose polar shaft can be tight-

 

3

ened by releasing a 5/64" hex set-screw that is

 

on the side of the 11/16" polar shaft acorn cap

 

4

nut (3, Fig. 21), and then turning the 11/16"

 

acorn cap nut clockwise to a firm feel, and then

 

 

tightening the 5/64" hex set-screw. A loose

2

2

Azimuth base (4, Fig. 21), can be tightened by

 

turning the 11/16" Azimuth shaft bolt, located

 

1

underneath the mount and in between the three

 

tripod legs, clockwise to a firm feel. The R.A. (1,

 

 

Fig. 11), and Dec (12, Fig. 11) worm block

 

 

assemblies can have backlash removed by

Fig. 21: Maintenance adjustments.

releasing the two Phillips-head screws on each

 

 

assembly, applying pressure to the worm block against the worm gear, and then tight- ening the Phillips-head screws. Note that overtightening of any of the nuts, bolts, or screws can inhibit the smooth rotating action of the axes and gears, and may result in stripping the threads.

The tripod legs have 1/2" nuts (1, Fig. 21), and Phillips-head screws (2, Fig. 21) that may have backed off. Tighten to a firm feel for the most sturdy performance of the tele- scope.

Diagonal

Diagonal Mirror

Primary Mirror

Assembly

 

 

 

 

Primary Mirror-Tilt

 

Focused Image

Screws

 

 

Fig. 22: The Newtonian reflecting telescope.

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Contents Meade Instruments Corporation How This Manual is Organized Table of Contents 1416 Telescope Assembly Lesson 1 Unpacking and AssemblyMotor Assembly AccessoriesKey to Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c 2325 Sure that this safety washer/knob always remains in place How to Assemble Your TelescopeInsert eyepiece into the focuser assembly Lesson 3 Aligning the Viewfinder Lesson 2 Balancing the TelescopeCorrectly positioned lever Lesson 4 Observing by Moving the Telescope ManuallyKey to Figure Motor drive system assemblyLesson 5 Observing Using Starfinders Arrow Keys Motor Drive System and Starfinder Handbox InstallationObserve the World Around You Slew Speeds Activate the Arrow KeysObserve the Moon Lesson 6 Tracking ObjectsTo Polar Align the Telescope Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature Lesson 7 Using Starfinders GO to CapabilitiesMoving Through Starfinder’s Menus Initializing Starfinder Location Irvine Training the Drive Check Mount Align Your Telescope Using StarfinderUsing the Guided Tour Which One’s the Alignment Star?Go To Saturn Some Observation Tips Starfinder Controls Part TWO Starfinder Controls and MenusPage Page Starfinder Navigation Exercise How Starfinders Menus WorkComplete Starfinder menu structure To Calculate Sunset timeStarfinder Menus Object MenuObject Menu Options Glossary Menu Event MenuUtilities Menu Setup Menu Time Zone Shift Cleaning Mount and Tripod AdjustmentsPart 3 Caring for Your Telescope Diagonal holder adjustments Spider vane adjustmentsCollimation Alignment of the Optics Correct collimationCorrect collimation Primary mirror adjustmentsABC Star testing the collimationStarfinder Dimensions Insert Barlow into focuser assembly Appendix a Calculating Eyepiece PowerAstronomical Observing Terrestrial ViewingPolar Alignment Understanding Celestial Movements and CoordinatesCelestial sphere Lining Up with the Celestial PoleTwo-Star Polar Alignment Using Setting CirclesTo GO to a user-entered object Appendix C Using Starfinder to Enter Celestial CoordinatesLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World Appendix D Helpful ChartsStarfinder Glossary Appendix E Basic AstronomyObjects in Space MoonDeep-Sky Objects PlanetsStar Locator Roadmap to the StarsMeade Limited Warranty Meade Instruments Corporation

4504 specifications

The Meade 4504 is a notable member of Meade Instruments’ extensive line of telescopes, designed for both beginners and experienced astronomers. This telescope is known for its user-friendly features and impressive optical performance, making it an excellent choice for stargazers keen on exploring the night sky.

One of the key features of the Meade 4504 is its 4.5-inch aperture, a critical factor that determines the amount of light the telescope can gather. This larger aperture allows users to observe fainter celestial objects, from nebulae to distant galaxies, with clarity and detail. The telescope is equipped with a Newtonian reflector design, which utilizes a primary mirror to collect light and a secondary mirror to direct it to the eyepiece. This design effectively eliminates chromatic aberration, offering sharp and crisp images.

The Meade 4504 also boasts a mount that is robust yet user-friendly. It typically comes with an Altazimuth mount, which allows for smooth movement both vertically and horizontally. This makes it easier to track celestial objects as they move across the sky. The mount's stability is crucial during high-magnification viewing, as it minimizes vibrations and provides a steady image.

A standout feature of the Meade 4504 is its ease of assembly and operation. Designed with beginners in mind, it usually includes a straightforward setup guide that allows users to get their telescope ready for use quickly. Additionally, the telescope often comes with a finderscope, which helps in locating objects in the night sky, a crucial tool for novice astronomers still learning to navigate the cosmos.

In terms of accessories, the Meade 4504 often includes a variety of eyepieces, allowing users to switch magnifications for different viewing experiences. These eyepieces enhance the versatility of the telescope, catering to varied interests, whether it's observing planets within our solar system or examining the details of various star clusters.

Overall, the Meade 4504 represents a balance of quality, convenience, and affordability, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to embark on a journey of astronomical discovery. It effectively brings the universe closer to home, allowing enthusiasts to explore the wonders of space with ease. Whether you are a first-time observer or someone with a passion for celestial exploration, the Meade 4504 offers a remarkable gateway to the night sky.
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