Meade LX200 instruction manual Telescope on Wedge, toc a. Setting Magnetic Declination

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onto the tilt plate of the wedge by sliding the knob (7" and 8" LX200) or screw (10" and 12" LX200) into the slot at the top of the curved-end of the wedge tilt-plate.

Insert the 2 remaining knobs for the 7" and 8" LX200, or socket screws for the 10" and 12" LX200, through the underside of the tilt plate and into the underside of the drive base. Tighten down all 3 knobs or screws to a firm feel. Extreme force is not necessary in this regard.

The telescope is now fully mounted onto the wedge and field tripod. Adjustments in wedge latitude angle and/or azimuth orientation may be made with the telescope in place. Further details on telescope polar alignment see Appendix B: Equatorial Use.

Figure 14: Telescope on Wedge

[ toc ] 4. Magnetic Compass (for 7", 8" Equatorial Wedge and 10", 12" Superwedge)

The magnetic compass helps the observer to set-up the telescope without actually seeing the pole star Polaris. This allows setting up before dark or in locations where the view of Polaris is obstructed. The magnetic compass has an adjustment to compensate for the local angle of Magnetic Declination. Note: Magnetic Declination is the difference between Magnetic North (which the compass shows) and true north (where the telescope should be pointed). Magnetic Declination should not be confused with the astronomical term "Declination," which, when used with "Right Ascension," describes the celestial coordinate system.

[ toc ] a. Setting Magnetic Declination

In order to obtain an accurate reading using the compass, you must first adjust for the Magnetic Declination for your location.

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