Do you want to learn how to perform the periodic error correction procedure?

See PERIODIC ERROR COR-

RECTION, page 38.

Tip:

If the "ENTER to Sync" feature is accessed by mis- take (holding the ENTER key for more than 2 sec- onds), press MODE to return to the previous screen.

Important Note:

The Site information is stored in the Site menu. If you move the telescope outside of a 5 miles area of your initial observing loca- tion, AutoStar II automati- cally determines your loca- tion when it gets a GPS Fix, and adds the new location to the Site menu.

Want to learn more about

adding and editing sites?

See page 31.

Time Zone

Shift

Atlantic

-4 Hours

Eastern

-5 Hours

Central

-6

Hours

Mountain

-7

Hours

Pacific

-8

Hours

Alaska

-9 Hours

Hawaii

-10

Hours

Table 1: Time Zone Shift. Calculations are for standard time.

Reverse U/D: Reverses the functions of the Up and Down Arrow keys for con- trolling the telescope's motion (i.e., the Up key moves the telescope down). Home Sensors: Turns off or on the True North and True Level sensors, if pre- ferred, for Easy, One-Star, and Two-Star alignment. User must then manually level the telescope and point the telescope to True North during alignment. Default setting is "On."

GPS Alignment: GPS: Select "Off" to turn off the GPS function—you will be prompted to manually enter the time, date and location. Select "Start Up" to have the GPS function begin when you turn on AutoStar. Select "When Needed" to have the GPS function begin only when it's needed. For example, you have not performed the GPS fix yet and you have select Sunrise. AutoStar needs to know time, date and location to calculate Sunrise times, so the GPX fix will begin when you select press ENTER after selecting Sunrise.

Dec. PEC: Allows you to perform periodic error correction on the Dec. drive worm gear. Must be performed with a high-power reticle (eg., 9mm).

R.A. PEC: Allows you to perform periodic error correction on the R.A. drive worm gear. Must be performed with a high-power reticle (eg., 9mm).

High Precision: If High Precision is turned on, when looking for a faint celestial object (e.g., a nebula or galaxy), AutoStar II first slews to a nearby bright star and displays "ENTER to Sync." Center the star in the eyepiece, then press ENTER. At that point the telescope has a high precision alignment to that part of the sky and it then slews to the object that was originally requested.

Targets: Switches between Astronomical targets and Terrestrial targets. If "Astronomical" is selected, the telescope tracking motor is activated and any object you observe will remain centered in the eyepiece. If "Terrestrial" is selected, the track- ing motor is turned off. See TO TRACK AN OBJECT AUTOMATICALLY, page 18.

Site provides access to several options including:

Select: Displays the currently selected observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through all available sites (see ADD below). Press ENTER when the site you wish to select displays. Use this option when you move to a different geo- graphic location.

Add: Allows you to add new observing sites to the database. Scroll through the list of Countries/States. Press ENTER when the site you wish to add displays. Then choose the desired city in the same manner.

However, when the GPS signal is received, the site is normally selected automati- cally and the site list is updated automatically. Use of this option is not necessary and is included for the convenience of those users who may wish to enter a site manually. You may edit the name of a site using the Edit option (see below).

Delete: Deletes a stored site from the database.

Edit: Edits a selected site, including: the name, latitude, longitude, and time zone. Time Zone refers to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time zone shift. Users West of Greenwich, England use “-” hours, East of Greenwich use “+” hours. For the United States, look up the time zone shift in Table 1.

Note: AutoStar II compensates for daylight savings time, if selected. See

SETUP MENU: DAYLIGHT SAVING, page 28.

Owner Info: Accesses the owner information menu, including:

Name: Users may enter both their first and last names using the Up and Down Arrow keys to cycle through the alphabet. Use the Right and Left Arrow keys to move through the text. Press ENTER when the entry is complete.

Address: Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to enter your street address, city, state, and zip code. Press ENTER when the entry is complete.

Clone: Uploads information from one AutoStar II handbox to another. Three options are available:

Catalogs: Sends only user-defined object information, such as new satellite orbits or comet data to another AutoStar II handbox.

Software: Sends only the basic AutoStar II software. This is useful if one user has downloaded a new version of AutoStar II software from the Meade website (www.meade.com) and wants to pass this software along to friends.

- 30 -

Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope

 

at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.

Page 30
Image 30
Meade LX200 R instruction manual Adding and editing sites?, Setup Menu Daylight SAVING

LX200 R specifications

The Meade LX200 R is a renowned telescope that has captivated astronomers and enthusiasts alike with its impressive blend of advanced technology, user-friendly features, and excellent optical performance. Launched as part of Meade's line of enjoyable yet high-performing telescopes, the LX200 R remains a top choice for both amateur stargazers and serious astrophotographers.

At the heart of the LX200 R is its advanced telescope design. It features a robust, 8-inch primary mirror, which provides exceptional light-gathering capability. This larger aperture allows users to observe faint celestial objects, including distant galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, with stunning clarity and detail. The telescope's reflective optics are coated with high-quality, anti-reflective coatings that enhance contrast and minimize light loss, ensuring crisp, clear images even in challenging viewing conditions.

One of the standout features of the LX200 R series is its sophisticated computer-controlled GoTo mount. This feature allows users to locate over 30,000 celestial objects with remarkable precision using a simple one-button operation. The dual-axis motor drives enable smooth tracking of objects across the night sky, making it easier to follow their movements. The mount also includes an integrated GPS system, which automatically adjusts the telescope's location and time settings for accurate alignment without requiring complex manual adjustments.

The LX200 R is configured for both visual observations and astrophotography, accommodating a wide range of accessories like cameras and focal reducers. Its sturdy construction minimizes vibrations, which is crucial for capturing sharp images during extended exposures. Additionally, the telescope's optical tube is designed to be both lightweight and durable, making it convenient for transport and setup in various observing locations.

The ergonomic design of the LX200 R also enhances user experience, featuring a comfortable eyepiece height and an intuitive control panel. The display is user-friendly, allowing even novice astronomers to navigate settings and options quickly. With its combination of high-quality optics, advanced tracking capabilities, and versatile design, the Meade LX200 R continues to be a preferred choice for anyone looking to explore the wonders of the universe with sophistication and ease.