Meade 6" LS-6 ACF manual

Instruction Manual 6" LS-6 ACF / 6" LS-6 SC and 8" LS-8 ACF / 8" LS-8 SC T elescopes with AutoStar III Hand Controller Firmware version 1.3 and higher INDEX INDEX[...]

INDEX W ARNING! Never use a Meade ® LS ™ 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 teles[...]

INDEX CONTENTS Introduction The most sophisticated and easiest to use telescope ever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Getting Started Assembling the T elescope and using LightSwitch Assembling the tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Mounting the tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Insta[...]

INDEX INTRODUCTION The LS-6 and LS-8 LightSwitch ® T elescopes The most sophisticated and easiest to use telescopes ever Congratulations on receiving your new LS 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 any[...]

INDEX GETTING ST ARTED Y ou may want to perform the LS 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 your new telescope as quickly as pos[...]

INDEX Mounting the T elescope  T ake the LS T elescope 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 the base of the tripod. [...]

INDEX Attaching Accessories  Be sure the telescope master power switch is in the off position. Remove the AutoStar III handbox and the coiled interface cable from the packing materials. Plug one end into the HNDBX port of the control panel and plug the other end into the Handbox port on the AutoStar III handbox.  Remove the dust cap from the [...]

INDEX  After the telescope powers on, you will hear a brief introductory message. Y ou can press the “MEDIA” key to bypass the introduction if you like. If you have attached a video cable from the Video Out connection on the telescope to the composite video input of a NTSC TV monitor , you will also see graphics accompanying the telescope in[...]

INDEX Key Functions “BACK” - return to previous menu. “ENTER” - select or con fi rm entry . “GO TO” - Slew to currently selected object. “SPEED” - Adjust Slew Speed. “FOCUS” - Optional Electronic focuser . Motion pad controls focuser . Up/Down scrolls focus speed. “VOL” . - Up/Dn adjusts media volume. “DISP” - Control D[...]

INDEX The “ENTER” and “BACK” buttons on the top of the display let you move up and down the menu tree. When you press “ENTER” you will select the current active menu choice. Pressing “BACK” will move you up the menu tree. T o get us to the top of the menu tree, press “BACK” until “Select Item” is displayed on line 1 of the d[...]

INDEX LS KEY FEA TURES LS KEY FEA TURES Figure 1: LS T elescope              T elescope Input/Output Panel   ON/OFF LightSwitch   ECLIPS CCD Module   Red Dot Finder Alignment Screws   Handbox Storage Cradle   Diagonal Eyepiece Holder   Diagonal Prism   1.25” Eyepiece[...]

INDEX Figure 2: LS Right Side LS KEY FEA TURES Figure 3: LS Front Figure 4: LS Connectors  2! 2@ 2# 2$ 2% 2^           Diagonal Thumbscrew   Optical T ube Assembly (OT A)   Focus Knob   Integrated Sensor Module   Dust Cover   Battery Compartment   Red Dot Finder   Mini SD Ca[...]

INDEX  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 ( Fig. 1, 3 ).  1.25" Eyepiece Holder  Eyepiece Holder Thumb Screw  Eyepiece: Place the Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece into the 90° diagonal pris[...]

INDEX b. Images from the ECLIPS camera. c. Sky maps of the region where your telescope is pointed d. Astronomer Inside videos and images of the moon, planets, and deep sky objects e. The Video Output can be toggled on/off with the 9/DISP key . 2# Audio Output: This connection will allow you to pass the telescope’s stereo sound to external speaker[...]

INDEX Using the Red-Dot Finder Because your telescope has so much magni fi cation, its fi eld of view is very small. This can make it hard to know exactly where your telescope is pointing by simply looking at it. T o help you point the telescope quickly and accurately , for terrestrial targets or when not using Auto Alignment and GO T O pointing,[...]

INDEX Meade makes a complete line of accessories to enable you to get the most fun and performance from your LS 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. Each eyepiece has a focal length, e[...]

INDEX 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 wide fi eld views of the hea[...]

INDEX 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 LS system. Power Supplies While the LS telescope will operate with 8 “C” cell batteries, you should consider[...]

INDEX AUTOST AR III HANDBOX Figure 5: The AutoStar III Handbox T our the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button The AutoStar III hand controller operates the LS telescope with just a few pushes of AutoStar ’ s buttons. Some of the major features of AutoStar III are: • Automatically move the telescope to any of over 90,000 objects stored in the d[...]

INDEX  “ENTER” Key: Selects the option on the second line of the display . When you are looking at descriptive object text, “ENTER” will synchronize the telescope’s coordinates with the object. This is most useful when synching on bright stars to achieve better pointing in the vicinity of the star . See NA VIGA TING THE MENUS, page 9 a[...]

INDEX  Arrow Keys: Slew the telescope in a speci fi c direction (up, down, left, and right), at any one of nine different speeds. Speed selection is explained in “SLEW SPEEDS”, below . The following functions are also available with the Arrow keys: • Moves the telescope – Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to move the telescope vertically u[...]

INDEX “9/Display” – T oggles video output between on/off. “0/Mode” – This key lets you cycle through the telescope’s modes, (See the entry above).  Scroll Keys: Accesses options within a selected menu. The menu is displayed on the fi rst line of the screen. Options within the menu are displayed, one at a time, on the second line. [...]

INDEX Solar System Moon Mercury Ve n us Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto Asteroids Comets Constellation Andromeda V olume HBX Brightness HBX Contrast Night Display Sleep Scope Parking Scope Align Automatic Alt/Az 2 Star Alt/Az 1 Star T errestr ial Preferences Restore Defaults Hi Prec. Sle ws Default Alignment Mount T ype Equatorial* Alt. Az[...]

INDEX Guided T our Menu When Guided T ours is selected, AutoStar III shows you a list of theme tours that will help you explore the night sky . These tours are pre programmed presentations of objects that are visible for the user ’ s particular location, time and date. The most popular tour is “T onight’s Best” that guides the user to the b[...]

INDEX when the landmark was added to the database. • Select – T o select a Landmark already in the database (see ADD below), choose the “Select” option and scroll through the list. Press “ENTER” to select a Landmark, then press “GO TO” and the telescope slews to the object. • Add – T o add a Landmark, choose the “Add” option[...]

INDEX Stars”, and “Cont. Deep1” thru “Cont. Deep9”. The setting after “Cont. Deep9” is Cust.Cont. (Custom Contrast). This setting allows you adjust the Contrast AND Brightness to create your own setting. Contrast is controlled using the LEFT/ RIGHT Arrow Keys. Brightness is controlled using the UP/DOWN Arrow Keys. NOTE: to fully utili[...]

INDEX Sleep Scope is a power and time saving option that shuts down the LS telescope without forgetting its alignment. With “Sleep Scope” selected, press “ENTER” to activate the Sleep function. LS goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running. Press any key , except “ENTER” , to re-activate LS. Park Scope is designed for a telescope t[...]

INDEX AUTOST AR III MENU OPTIONS 28 observatory , or on a permanent mount, disabling the GPS can speed your startup. When the GPS is disabled, you are presented a menu that offers you the choice of using the previous locations, and the internal clock time, entering the date, time and location manually , taking a GPS fi x, or starting in a Demo/T e[...]

INDEX e. “Automatic Alignment: Selecting Star” and “Slewing” display . When it is close to the alignment star “Center Brightest Star: Press “ENTER” ” displays. When the telescope slews to the fi rst star , it may not appear in the fi eld of view in the eyepiece. Use the Red Dot Finder ( Pg. 12, Fig. 2, 16 ) to locate the star . Th[...]

INDEX Landmarks This menu option allows you to de fi ne and store terrestrial objects in the Landmark database. First, a landmark needs to be stored in memory using the “Landmark: Add” option. T o view a landmark, use the “Landmark: Select” option. T o add a landmark to the database In this procedure, you will store the location of terrest[...]

INDEX 7. When the alarm goes off, return to the Satellite menu and press a Scroll key until the desired satellite is on the top line of the display . 8. Press “GO TO” , LS slews the telescope to where the satellite should appear . The motor drive stops and a countdown is displayed. NOTE: If the scheduled appearance position of the satellite is [...]

INDEX T errestrial Observing The LS is an excellent high-resolution, terrestrial (land) telescopes. Viewing terrestrial objects requires looking along the Earth’s surface through heat waves. These heat waves often cause degradation of image quality . Lower power eyepieces, like the Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece, magnify these heat waves less than h[...]

INDEX 7. If the LS 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 LS inside a sealed car on a warm summer day; excessive[...]

INDEX eyepiece fi eld of view ( Fig. 8, 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 ou will notice that the star image will move across the fi eld. If while turning the defocused star image fl ies out of the eyepi[...]

INDEX 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 generally uneven coatings, gi[...]

INDEX If you have a question concerning your LS telescope, call the Meade Instruments Customer Service Department at (800) 626-3233. Customer Service hours are 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Paci fi c T ime, Monday through Friday . In the unlikely event that the LS requires factory servicing or repairs, before returning the telescope to the factory , write o[...]

INDEX Calibrate Calibrate Azimuth Drive Slo-Mo Setup Media exits A/V Center reference object. Press the scroll down ke y twice Press the ENTER key Audio Instructions. automatically play twice. Guided T our BACK Center T arget using Arrow K eys . Press ENTER. 10 11 Calibrate Azmiuth Drive Press the scroll down ke y once Press the BACK ke y to reach [...]

INDEX CREA TING USER OBJECTS and TOURS APPENDIX B: CREA TING USER OBJECTS User Object are catalogs of deep sky objects you can create or import that are not in the LS telescope. Y ou can de fi ne your own objects and create your own titles. T ours, similar to the three preloaded guided tours (T onight’s Best”, “A Star ’ s Life” and “Ho[...]

INDEX In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a crude telescope considerably smaller than the LS, 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 it must have been like being the ?[...]

INDEX 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 LS for information about planets. Scroll to the “Object: Solar System” menu and scroll through the lists of planets. When a [...]

INDEX SPECIFIC A TIONS SPECIFICA TIONS Model and Product Number 6"LS-6 ACF # 0610-03-10 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™) Resolving Power (arc second[...]

INDEX SPECIFIC A TIONS SPECIFICA TIONS Model and Product Number 6" LS-6 SC # 0610-03-12 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™) Resolving Power (arc seconds[...]

INDEX SPECIFIC A TIONS SPECIFICA TIONS Model and Product Number 8"LS-8 ACF # 0810-03-10 Optical System Optical Design Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) Primary Mirror Diameter 8” (203.2mm) Primary Mirror Material Pyrex® Glass Focal Length, Focal Ratio 2000mm, f/10 Optical Coatings Ultra-High T ransmission Coatings (UHTC™) Resolving Power (arc seco[...]

INDEX SPECIFIC A TIONS SPECIFICA TIONS Model and Product Number 8" LS-8 SC # 0810-03-12 Optical System Optical Design Schmidt Cassegrain (SC) Primary Mirror Diameter 8” (203.2mm) Primary Mirror Material Pyrex® Glass Focal Length, Focal Ratio 2000mm, f/10 Optical Coatings Ultra-High T ransmission Coatings (UHTC™) Resolving Power (arc secon[...]

INDEX DOC: FCC 45 FEDERAL COMMUNICA TIONS COMMISSION DECLARA TION OF CONFORMITY (DoC) FOR THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT : PRODUCT NAME : MEADE LS SERIES TELESCOPE MODEL NO : ETX-LS 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[...]

INDEX RECYCLING 46 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 h[...]

MEADE LIMITED W ARRANTY Every Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corporation (“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 [...]