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spot dead center within the out-of-focus star disk (this is the shadow of the secondary mirror), as shown in Fig.11C. (An improperly aligned telescope will reveal elongated circles (Fig. 11A), with an off-center dark shadow.)
•If the out-of-focus star disk appears elongated (Fig. 11A), you will need to adjust the primary mirror Phillips-head tilt screws of the primary mirror cell (3, Fig. 6).
•To adjust the primary mirror tilt screws (3, Fig. 6), first unscrew several turns the 3 hex-head primary mirror cell locking screws (2, Fig. 6), to allow free turning movement of the tilt knobs.
•Using the flexible cable controls (3) and (4), Fig. 1, move the telescope until the star image is at the edge of the field-of-view in the eyepiece, as in Fig. 11B.
•As you make adjustments to the primary mirror tilt screws (3, Fig. 6), you will notice that the out-of-focus star disk image will move across the eyepiece field. Choose one of the 3 primary mirror tilt screws that will move the star disk image to the center of the eyepiece field.
•Repeat this process as many times as necessary until the out-of-focus star disk appears as in Fig. 11C, when the star disk image is in the center of the eyepiece field.
•With the star testing of the collimation complete, tighten the 3 hex-head primary mirror locking screws (2, Fig. 6).
I. Specifications: Model 4500
Primary (main) mirror focal length: . . . . . .910mm
Primary mirror diameter: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.5" (114mm)
Focal ratio: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .f/8
Mounting: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .German equatorial
J. Optional Accessories
Refer to the latest Meade General Catalog.
American-Size Eyepieces (1.25" O.D.): Meade Instruments offers several types of high-performance, American-sized eyepiece to fit every observing requirement and budget. See the Meade General Catalog, Meade advertising in Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazines, or contact your full-service Meade dealer for details and suggestions on purchasing optional Meade accessory eyepieces.
#126 2x Telenegative Barlow Lens (1.25" O.D.): The high-quality #126 Barlow lens serves to double the power of any American-size (1.25") eyepiece used.
#531 Electric Motor Drive: With the #531 Motor Drive attached, the telescope automatically tracks astronomical objects in their paths across the sky. Three AA size (user-supplied) batteries power the DC servo motor to rotate the Right Ascension control shaft of the telescope at a constant rate that results in one revolution of the telescope in RA every 24 hours, fully compensating for the effects of the Earth’s rotation. The #531 Motor Drive easily attaches in minutes to the telescope. A North-South switch permits operation in either of the Earth’s northern or southern hemispheres.
AstroSearch Sky Software: 3.5" disks for Windows 3.1 or higher. Explore the heavens with AstroSearch and your personal computer— visually displays the night sky and allows the printing of detailed star charts. Provides locations of planets, galaxies, star clusters, nebulae— over 45,000 objects as well as a lunar calendar.
FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
To allow use of the Model 4500 for photography, the following accessories must be purchased:
#126 2x Telenegative Barlow Lens (1.25” O.D.): To permit photography, the #126 Barlow lens must be placed into the focuser’s Eyepiece Holder Adapter (1.25"), then the Variable Projection Camera Adapter must be attached to the #126 Barlow lens via the thumbscrew lock provided for that purpose.
Variable Projection Camera Adapter (1.25" O.D.): The Variable Projection Camera Adapter includes a machined sliding mechanism, permitting variable projection distances during eyepiece-projection photography. The Variable Projection Camera Adapter (1.25") permits direct attachment of 35mm SLR cameras to the Model 4500’s focuser for short exposure astrophotography of the Moon. (Requires T-Mount for your specific brand of 35mm camera and an appropriate focal length eyepiece. Also, the Variable Projection Camera Adapter must be used with the #126 Barlow Lens, mentioned above.
