Meade LT ACF Series manual

Instruction Manual L T ACF and L T SC Series T elescopes with AutoStar #497 Hand Controller INDEX[...]

W ARNING! Never use a Meade ® L T Series T elescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye damage is often painless, so there is no warning to the observer that damage has occurred until it is too late. Do not point the telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telesco[...]

Object Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 #497 AutoStar Menu T ree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Event Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Glossary Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Utilities Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

INTRODUCTION The L T Series ACF and L T Series SC T elescope A solid telescope built for a lifetime of service Congratulations on receiving your new L T Series telescope. Y ou’ll fi nd that this telescope system has all you need to explore the Universe we live in. Meade’s concept was to create a telescope that would be simple enough for anyone[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 5 GETTING ST ARTED Y ou may want to perform the L T telescope assembly indoors in the light so that you become familiar with the parts and operation before moving the telescope outside into the dark for observing. This Getting Started Guide assumes you are too impatient to read the entire manual fi rst and want to use [...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 6 Mounting the T elescope  T ake the L T Series from its packaging and place the entire telescope onto the top of the tripod head. Rotate the telescope head slowly until you feel the scope register on the center hub of the tripod head. Carefully screw the three attachment thumb-screws on the bottom of the plate to th[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 7 Attaching Accessories  Be sure the telescope master power switch is in the off position. Remove the L T Series handbox and the coiled interface cable from the packing materials. Plug one end into the HBX port of the control panel and plug the other end into the Handbox port on the L T Series handbox.  Remove the[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 8 Adjusting the Red Dot Finder The Red Dot Finder has been aligned at the factory , but you may need to touch-up the alignment from time to time. T o do this, look through the eyepiece of your scope and using the hand controller center a distant object. Now turn on the Red Dot View fi nder and adjust the brightness so [...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 9 ALIGNING THE L T SERIES 9 Aligning the L T Series As the Earth rotates beneath the night sky , the stars appear to move from East to West. The speed at which the stars move is called the sidereal rate. Y ou can setup your telescope to move at the sidereal rate so that it automatically tracks the stars and other object[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 10 ALIGNING THE L T SERIES 10 Moving Through AutoStar ’ s Menus The AutoStar database is organized in levels for quick and easy navigation. • Press ENTER to go deeper into AutoStar ’s menu levels. • Press MODE to move back toward the top menu level. • Press the Scroll keys to move up and down through the optio[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 11 ALIGNING THE L T SERIES 11 Easy (T wo-Star) Align The fastest and easiest way to locate objects with Autostar ’ s GO T O capabilities is to use Easy Align. Autostar automatically picks two stars from its database for the Easy Align procedure. During this procedure, Autostar slews the telescope to a fi rst alignmen[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 12 ALIGNING THE L T SERIES 12 Go T o 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 u[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 13 L T SERIES KEY FEA TURES          Computer Control Panel   Red Dot Finder   Red Dot Finder Alignment Screws   Handbox Storage Cradle   AutoStar Suite Software Disc   Diagonal Eyepiece Holder   Diagonal Prism   1.25” Eyepiece Holder   Eyepiec[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 14 Figure 2: L T Series Right Side L T SERIES KEY FEA TURES Figure 3: L T Series Front Figure 4: L T Series Computer Control Panel          Diagonal Thumbscrew   Optical T ube Assembly (OT A)   Focus Knob   Computer Control Panel A. Handbox (HBX) Port B. LED C. ON/OFF Switch [...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 15  Diagonal Holder: Holds the eyepiece in place.  Diagonal Prism: provides a more comfortable right angle viewing position. Slide the diagonal prism directly into the eyepiece holder (Pg. 13, Fig. 1, 3).  1.25" Eyepiece Holder  Thumb Screw  Eyepiece: Place the Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece into the 90[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 16 Meade makes a complete line of accessories to enable you to get the most fun and performance from your L T Series telescope. No matter what you want to accomplish, we have the equipment to help you get there. Choosing Eyepieces A telescope’s eyepiece magni fi es the image formed by the telescope’s main optics. E[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 17 The Series 5000 Premium Eyepieces represent the highest level of eyepiece technology . Featuring advanced lens designs with 5, 6 and 7 elements, super fully multi-coated lenses and some of the widest fi elds of view available, they provide the user with the highest-contrast, pinpoint-sharp images and spectacular wid[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 18 Universal AC Adapter (07584): This adapter supplies a constant regulated 12 volt DC at up to 5 Amps from either a standard 1 15 volt AC or 220 volt AC household supply . It is the only tested and recommended AC power supply for the L T Series system. Power Supplies While the L T Series will operate with 8 “C” cel[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 19             Figure 5: The AutoStar #497 Handbox T our the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Control of the L T Series is through the operation of the standard-equipment AutoStar . Nearly all functions of the telescope are accomplished with just a few pushes of AutoStar ’ s bu[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 20 The AutoStar Computer Controller provides control of virtually every telescope function within a compact handbox. AutoStar has soft-touch keys designed to have a positive feel. The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is backlit with a red LED (Light Emitting Diode) for easy viewing in the dark. The backlit display , key arr[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 21 appropriate key shown below . Nine available speeds are: Number Key “1” = 1x (Guide) Number Key “2” = 2x Number Key “3” = 8x Number Key “4” = 16x Number Key “5” = 64x Number Key “6” = 0.50°/sec Number Key “7” = 1.0°/sec Number Key “8” = 1.5°/sec Number Key “9” = 4.0°/sec (Max) [...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 22 AUTOST AR #497 HANDBO X 22 the telescope up, down, right, or left. 4. Press a Number key (Pg. 19, Fig. 5, 6) to change the telescope’s slew speed. See Slew Speeds, on pg 20 for more information. 5. Use the view fi nder (Pg. 13, Fig. 1, 13) to locate an object and practice using the AutoStar ’ s Arrow keys to cen[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 23 AUTOST AR OPERA TION 23 It is important to understand that menu selections are set in a loop (Fig. 10). This means that pressing the Scroll Down key (Pg. 19, Fig. 5, 7) cycles down through all the available options within a given category , then returns to the fi rst option. The Scroll Up key (Pg. 19, Fig. 5, 7) cyc[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 24 AUTOST AR OPERA TION 24 object in the eyepiece of the telescope for you to view . The telescope comes pre-loaded with: • “T onight’s Best” , a selection of the most interesting objects visible on any night. • “A Star’s Life” , tours how stars are formed, created, changes through their lives and fi na[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 25 T onight's Best How F ar is F ar A Star's Life Solar System Mercury Etc . Moon Asteroids Comets Constellations Andromeda Etc . Deep Sky Named Object Galaxies Nebulae Messier Etc . Star Named SAO Catalog Double V ariable Etc. Satellite Select Add Delete Edit User Objects Select Add Delete Edit Landmarks Sele[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 26 Star is a database of stars listed in different categories such as named, double, variable, or nearby . Important Note: When you are looking at descriptive object text, pressing “ENTER” will synchronize the telescope’s coordinates with the object. This is most useful when synching on bright stars to achieve bet[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 27 AUTOST AR #497 MENU OPTIONS 27 of eclipse. Use the Scroll Up and Down keys to display the available data. Min. (Minimum) of Algol is the minimum brightness of the dramatic eclipsing binary star system, Algol. It is relatively close at a distance of 100 light years. Every 2.8 days during a 10 hour period, Algol underg[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 28 AUTOST AR #497 MENU OPTIONS 28 Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts down AutoStar and the telescope without forgetting its alignment. With “Sleep Scope” selected, press ENTER to activate the Sleep function. AutoStar goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running. Press any key , except ENTER, to re-ac[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 29 AUTOST AR #497 MENU OPTIONS 29 you observe will remain centered in the eyepiece. If “T errestrial” is selected, the tracking motor is turned off.. Site provides access to several options including: • Select: Displays the currently selected observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through all available sites[...]

Note: The Download function requires the optional #505 Astro fi nder Software and Cable Connector Kit. See the instruction sheet included with the kit for more information on how to download. Also see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 16. Clone uploads information from one AutoStar handbox to another . Three options are available: • Catalogs: Sends onl[...]

Advanced AutoStar Features Adding Observing Sites If you plan to observe using AutoStar at different geographic locations, you can store up to six observation sites in AutoStar’s memory to help simplify your telescope setup. Perform these procedures using the Site options (Add, Select, Delete, Edit) of the Setup menu. T o Add a Site to the user-d[...]

Using AutoStar to Find Objects Not in the Database In this procedure, you will enter coordinates of celestial objects that do not appear in any of the AutoStar database lists. Y ou will enter the object’s name and R.A. and Dec. coordinates (required information). Y ou may also enter the object’s magnitude and size (optional information). Althou[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 33 Cable Connector Kit. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 16. NOTE: Satellite observing is an exciting challenge. Most satellites are in low orbit, travelling at approximately 17,500 mph. When visible, they move quickly across the sky and are only in the fi eld of view for a few minutes, requiring AutoStar to slew the tel[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 34 Description String: Description of an object. Must be surrounded by quotation marks. If the description is longer than one line, each line must end with a quotation mark and a hard return. Begin the next description line with a quotation mark. If quotation marks are to be displayed in the on-screen description, use t[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 35 information about the satellite from its database. For example: SA TELLITE: “Intl Space Stn” ASTEROID “name” Enter ASTEROID and then the name of the desired asteroid in quotes. AutoStar displays information about the asteroid from its database. For example: ASTEROID: “Ceres” COMET “name” Enter COMET a[...]

ST AR “name” Enter ST AR followed by the name of the desired star in quotes. For example: ST AR “V ega” LANDMARK az alt “title” “description” Enter the azimuth (az) for the desired object in the following format: xxxdxxmxxs. For example: 123d27m00s. Then enter the altitude of the desired object in the following format: xxdxxmxxs. Th[...]

T o Add a landmark to the database: In this procedure, you will store the location of terrestrial landmarks in AutoStar ’ s memory . 1. Set the telescope in the home position, if necessary . Note for future reference where the telescope is located and if you have aligned the telescope, which alignment method is used. IMPORT ANT NOTE: T o use the [...]

Identify This procedure allows you to use AutoStar to identify objects you have found in the night sky using the Arrow keys. If the object is not in AutoStar ’ s database, AutoStar displays information about an object in its database that is closest to the one you queried about. Important Note: The telescope must be successfully aligned before th[...]

when the correct location displays. d. The next screen asks for the city (listed alphabetically) closest to the observing site. Use the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of cities. Press ENTER when the correct city appears on screen. 5. Daylight Savings T ime: The next screen requests the status of Daylight Savings T ime. If Daylight Savings T[...]

One-Star Alt/Az Alignment One-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky . Autostar provides a database of bright stars. One-Star Alignment is identical to T wo-Star Alt/Az: Alignment (see “T wo-Star AL T/AZ Alignment,” above), except only one star from this database is chosen by the observer for alignment. IMPORT ANT NOTE : The ac[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 41 7. If the L T Series is not to be used for an extended period, perhaps for one month or more, it is advisable to remove the batteries from the telescope. Batteries left in the telescope for prolonged periods may leak, causing damage to the telescope’s electronic circuitry . 8. Do not leave the L T Series inside a s[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 42 3. Using the Arrow keys at the slowest slew speed, move the defocused image to the edge of the eyepiece fi eld of view ( Pg. 41, Fig. 13 , 2 ), in the same direction as the darker shadow is offset in the ring of light. 4. T urn the set screw that you found with the pointing exercise while looking in the eyepiece. Y [...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 43 Inspecting the Optics A Note About the “Flashlight T est”: If a fl ashlight or other high-intensity light source is pointed down the main telescope tube, the view (depending upon the observer ’s line of sight and the angle of the light) may reveal what appears to be scratches, dark or bright spots, or just gen[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 44 Press > until it is centered Press < until it is centered T rain Drive Az. T rain T rain Drive Alt. T rain Drive Setup For this op . . . Center reference object ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER Scope slews left. Bring target back to center using the Right Arrow ke y . 12 13 14 15 16 17 Scope slews right. Bring target ba[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 45 In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a crude telescope considerably smaller than the L T Series, turned it to look towards the sky instead of distant trees and mountains. What he saw , and what he realized about what he saw , forever changed the way mankind thought of the universe. Imagine what [...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 46 Planets change positions in the sky as they orbit around the Sun. T o locate the planets on a given day or month, consult a monthly astronomy magazine, such as Sky and T elescope or Astronomy . Y ou can also consult L T Series for information about planets. Scroll to the “Object: Solar System” menu and scroll thr[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 47 SPECIFICA TIONS SPECIFICA TIONS Model and Product Number 6" L T ACF # 0610-04-10 Optical System Optical Design Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) Primary Mirror Diameter 6” (152mm) Primary Mirror Material Pyrex® Glass Focal Length, Focal Ratio 1524mm, f/10 Optical Coatings Ultra-High T ransmission Coatings (UHTC™) Re[...]

INDEX AutoStar #497 HANDBO X 48 SPECIFICA TIONS SPECIFICA TIONS Model and Product Number 6" L T SC # 0610-04-12 Optical System Optical Design Schmidt Cassegrain (SC) Primary Mirror Diameter 6” (152mm) Primary Mirror Material Pyrex® Glass Focal Length, Focal Ratio 1524mm, f/10 Optical Coatings Ultra-High T ransmission Coatings (UHTC™) Reso[...]

INDEX OPTICAL SYSTEMS 49 ACF AND SC OPTICAL SYSTEMS APPENDIX D: Unlike Schmidt-Cassegrain systems, Meade’ s Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optical system provides razor-sharp pin-point star images all the way to the very edge of the fi eld of view . This aplanatic (coma-free) optical system brings the highest level of performance to the amateur astron[...]

FEDERAL COMMUNICA TIONS COMMISSION DECLARA TION OF CONFORMITY (DoC) FOR THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT : PRODUCT NAME : MEADE L T SERIES TELESCOPE MODEL NO : L T TRADE NAME : MEADE INSTRUMENTS CORP . IS HERE WITH CONFIRMED AND FOUND TO COMPL Y WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CFR47 P ART 15 REGULA TION. THE RESUL TS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC EMISSION EV ALUA TION ARE SH[...]

RECYCLING INFORMA TION (EU Countries only) Correct Disposal of this Product (W aste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) This marking shown on the product or its literature indicates that it must not be disposed of in unsorted municipal waste at the end of its working life T o prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from uncontro[...]

MEADE LIMITED W ARRANTY Every Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corp. (“Meade”) to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase in the U.S.A. and Canada. Meade will repair or replace a product, or part thereof, found by Meade [...]