stars to align upon. When the telescope slews to the first star for alignment, it may not appear in the field of view of the eyepiece. The alignment star should be easily recognized and be the brightest star in that area of the sky where the telescope is pointing. While looking through the viewfinder, use the Arrow keys to move the telescope centering the star in the viewfinder. Now look through the eyepiece and use the Arrow keys to move the star to the center of the eyepiece field. Press ENTER. Repeat this procedure for the second alignment star.

Note: If that area of the sky is obscured, you can prompt AudioStar to choose an alternate star by pressing either one of the two Scroll keys

When the procedure is performed correctly, “Alignment Successful” displays. If AudioStar does not display this message, perform this procedure again.

Note: AudioStar locates alignment stars based on the date, time and location entered. Using this information and the Home Position as its starting point, the alignment stars should easily be placed within the viewfinder. Note the alignment stars may change from night to night. All that is required is for the observer to center the selected stars in the eyepiece when prompted.

Note: The GoTo key also allows you to perform a “spiral search”. A spiral search is useful when the telescope slews to an object, but that object is not visible in the eyepiece after the telescope finishes its search. (This sometimes occurs during an alignment procedure.) Press GoTo when the slew is finished and the telescope starts slewing in a spiral pattern at a very slow speed around the search area. Look through the eyepiece and when the object does become visible, press MODE to stop the spiral search. Then use the Arrow keys to center the object.

Go To Saturn

After performing the Easy Alignment procedure, the motor drive begins operating and the telescope is aligned for a night of viewing. Objects in the eyepiece should maintain their position even though the Earth is rotating beneath the stars.

Important Note: Once aligned, only use the GoTo or Arrow keys to move the telescope. Do not move the telescope manually, or unlock the vertical or horizontal locks, or alignment will be lost.

Once the telescope is aligned, you may choose and “Go To” any object listed in AudioStar’s Object menu. This exercise demonstrates how to select one such celestial object, the planet Saturn, for viewing from the Object menu.

Note: Saturn is not visible the entire year and you may need to choose another object from AudioStar’s database; however, the procedure, as described below, remains the same.

1After the telescope is aligned, “Select Item: Object” displays. Press ENTER.

2.“Object: Solar System” displays. Press ENTER.

3.“Solar System: Mercury” displays. Keep pressing

the Scroll Down key until “Solar System: Saturn” displays.

4.Press ENTER. “Calculating” displays. Then “Saturn” and a set of coordinates displays. Note that Saturn’s (and other planets’) coordinates change throughout the year.

5Press GoTo. “Saturn: Slewing...” displays and the telescope slews until it finds Saturn. You may need to use the Arrow keys to center Saturn precisely in the eyepiece. AudioStar then automatically moves the telescope so that it “tracks” Saturn (or whatever other object you may have chosen); i.e., Saturn remains centered in the eyepiece.

For further direction how to use your aligned telescope please go to the AudioStar Operation section (Page 37) for details.

Using the Guided Tour

This example demonstrates using “Tonight’s Best” Guided Tour.

1.After observing Saturn, keep pressing mode until “Select Item: Object” displays again.

2.Press the Scroll Down key twice. “Select Item: Guided Tour” displays.

3.Press ENTER. “Guided Tour: Tonight’s Best” displays. Press ENTER.

Note: If you wish to try out other Guided Tours, press the Scroll Down key to scroll through other tour choices. When the tour you wish to select displays, press ENTER.

4.“Tonight’s Best: Searching...” displays. After

calculating, “Tonight’s Best: Jupiter” displays.

The LX80 Multi-Mount System

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Meade LX80 instruction manual Go To Saturn, Using the Guided Tour
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LX80 specifications

The Meade LX80 is a versatile and innovative telescope designed to cater to both novice astronomers and experienced stargazers. Its combination of performance, ease of use, and advanced features makes it a popular choice among enthusiasts seeking to explore the cosmos.

One of the standout characteristics of the LX80 is its extensive GoTo mount system, which allows users to automatically locate and track celestial objects with remarkable precision. This feature is powered by a database containing over 30,000 astronomical objects, providing a broad range of targets for exploration. The telescope's integrated GPS ensures swift alignment with the night sky, simplifying setup and enhancing the observing experience.

The LX80 employs advanced technology with its heavy-duty dual-axis equatorial mount, providing stability and sturdiness. This design is particularly beneficial for astrophotography, as it minimizes vibrations and allows for longer exposure times without blurring. Additionally, the mount is compatible with various optical tubes, enabling users to customize their setup according to their specific interests, whether it’s planetary observation or deep-sky photography.

Another impressive feature of the Meade LX80 is its SmartDrive technology, which continually corrects any tracking errors, ensuring smooth and accurate movement across the night sky. This is especially helpful for capturing high-quality images of celestial bodies. The telescope can also be controlled via a smartphone or tablet using the optional Meade app, which further adds to its user-friendly design.

The LX80's optical performance is equally commendable. Many models come with a high-quality optical tube, offering superb light-gathering capabilities. The telescope's aperture, typically ranging from 6 to 10 inches, makes it well-suited for observing faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, as well as brighter targets such as planets.

In terms of portability, the LX80 is designed to be compact, making it easier to transport to dark-sky locations. The telescope can be quickly set up and dismantled, accommodating astronomers who wish to observe in various settings.

Overall, the Meade LX80 stands out as a dynamic and feature-rich telescope. With its powerful GoTo capabilities, advanced tracking technology, and customizable optics, it offers a well-rounded observational experience. Whether you're peering through the eyepiece for the first time or capturing stunning images of the universe, the LX80 is equipped to meet your astronomical needs.
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