Instruction Manual 7" LX200 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope 8", 10", and 12" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes Meade Instruments Corporation World's leading manufacturer of astronomical telescopes for the serious amateur. 6001 OAK CANYON, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92618-5200 U.S.A. • (949) 451-1450 FAX: (949) 451-1460 • www.meade.
NOTE: Instructions for the use of optional accessories are not included in this manual. For details in this regard, see the Meade General Catalog. In the Schmidt-Cassegrain design of the Meade 8", 10", and 12" models, light enters from the right, passes through a thin lens with 2-sided aspheric correction ("correcting plate"), proceeds to a spherical primary mirror, and then to a convex aspheric secondary mirror.
¬ WARNING! ¬ Never use the LX200 telescope 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 or its viewfinder at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope or its viewfinder as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing. Captions for Figure 1 1. Viewfinder Dew Shield 10.
Contents 7" LX200 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope 8", 10", & 12" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Introduction 1. What is the LX200? An Overview a. Heavy-Duty Mounts b. Built-in 64,359 Object Library c. Altazimuth Mode Operation d. Terrestrial Operation e. Keypad and Power Panel Functions 2. Standard Equipment 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Unpacking and Inspection 1. What You Should Have 2. Please Look Everything Over 3. Inspecting the Optics 4. Caution: All LX200 Owners 5. Caution: 10" and 12" LX200 Owners 6.
INTRODUCTION As a new LX200 owner, you are preparing for a journey into the universe with the most advanced amateur telescope ever produced. The advent of this instrument is the culmination of twenty years of innovation and design at Meade Instruments; never before have the features you have in your hands been available to amateur astronomers: from robotic object location to the revolutionary Smart Drive and the most stable mounting structure ever.
celestial software library; 25 ft. power cord and adapter for telescope operation from 115v.AC; 8 x 50mm viewfinder; eyepiece-holder and diagonal prism (1.25"); Series 4000 SP26mm eyepiece; variable-height field tripod; operating instructions. d. 12" Model LX200 Includes 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly with EMC super multi-coatings (D = 305mm, F = 3048mm-f/10); heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-dia. sealed polar ball bearing, quartzmicroprocessor-controlled 5.
TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY Use the following steps to assemble your telescope. NOTE: If the section is not applicable to all LX200 models, it is noted at the beginning of each section. 1. The Field Tripod The field tripods (Figs. 2 and 3) for Meade 8", 10", and 12" LX200 telescopes are supplied as completely assembled units, except for the spreader bar (4, Fig. 2) and the 6 lock knobs (2 knobs for each of the 3 tripod legs) used to adjust the height of the tripod.
2. Mounting the Viewfinder 4. Checking the Collimation of the Optics Each 7", 8", 10", and 12" LX200 telescope is supplied as standard equipment with an 8x50mm straight-through viewfinder. The bracket for this viewfinder is packed separately from the finder itself, and 6 black nylon thumbscrews for Collimation are prethreaded into the viewfinder bracket. The viewfinder bracket mounts onto the telescope with a quick-release mount. See Fig. 1.
QUICK START To utilize all the features of the telescope, it is necessary to enter some information into the telescope's computer memory, and learn the menu structure of the keypad hand controller, which is described in the rest of this manual. As advanced as LX200 electronics are, the telescope is very straightforward to operate — even if you have no experience whatsoever in using a personal computer.
Method to Use?, page 13). Follow steps 4 through 8 in Setting Up the Telescope, page 11, to change the telescope's operation to Altazimuth (ALTAZ) mode before proceeding. You should find the position of your observing site to within 1 or 2 minutes of arc in both latitude and longitude. Many automobile, pilot, and topographical maps, as well as most atlases show latitude and longitude in 15 minute increments or better.
8. Press ENTER to complete the site information input. The display will go back to Display 3. 9. Press MODE to go back to Display 2. U.S.A. TIME ZONES 10. Press MODE again to go back to Display 1. TIME ZONE STANDARD TIME DAYLIGHT TIME It is important to note that the longitude standard used in the LX200 starts at 0 degrees in Greenwich U.K. and increases Westerly only to 359 degrees 59 minutes. Many maps will show Easterly longitudes which cannot be entered into the keypad display.
3. Loosen the R.A. lock (7, Fig. 1) and rotate the telescope so that the R.A. pointer (9, Fig. 1) and the HA pointer (16, Fig. 1) are approximately in line with each other. This will position the fork arms so that they are parallel to the power panel (11, Fig. 1). lock the R.A. lock. Steps 2 and 3 are not required for the telescope to work, so don't worry about getting it exactly right.
2. Telescope Position. The first display shows the RA and DEC (telescope position in stellar coordinates) and the second display (accessed by pressing the ENTER key) shows the telescope position in ALTAZ coordinates. 3. Time and Date. The first display shows local and Sidereal time and the second display (accessed by pressing the ENTER key) shows the date. Timer and Freq. This display is a countdown timer and allows the user to change drive rates. These are advanced features. All Off.
THE LX200 KEYPAD HAND CONTROLLER Designed to make you a better astronomer, the integration of optics, mechanics, electronics, and software in the LX200 Maksutov Cassegrain or Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope is easily mastered. So easy, in fact that the telescope becomes a natural extension of the observer. The LX200 gives you virtually every telescope function possible with every control in a compact hand held console.
7. FOCUS Key The FOCUS key (9, Fig. 6) allows 2 speed electric focus control of the optional Meade #1206 Electric Focuser (or equivalent corded electric focusers such as the Meade Model #1200A). To activate, press either the SLEW or FIND key (for fast focusing), or the CNTR or GUIDE key (for slow focusing), press and hold the FOCUS key, and then press and hold the PREV or NEXT keys for near and far focus. 8. MAP Key The Map key (11, Fig.
5. CCD Connector MODE FUNCTIONS The CCD Port (10, Fig. 7) allows direct interface from popular aftermarket CCD autoguiding/imaging cameras with their compatible connecting cables to accomplish autoguiding for nonattended astrophotography. The CCD cameras effectively watch a star and detect slight movements. When star movements are detected, signals from the CCD electronics make drive corrections in the LX200, to bring the star to a home position.
options, which are; ALTAZ, POLAR, and LAND. TELESCOPE mode and press the ENTER key. Assuming that you have already entered correct local time, latitude, and longitude (see QUICK START, page 9) you are ready to choose a particular type of alignment, by pressing the NEXT or PREV key to run the arrow beside the desired option of ALTAZ, POLAR, or LAND, and then pressing the ENTER key.
side of the keypad. Altazimuth coordinate readings can still be displayed in the coordinates mode (see MODE 2, page 22). Refer to QUICK START (page 9) for the LAND menu option, for full operating procedures. You will also find that the addition of the Meade #928 45-Degree Erect Image Prism or the Meade #924 Porro Prism instead of the standard supplied star diagonal prism, will give the normal right-side-up and left-to-right views that you are accustomed to when using a spotting scope. 3.
9. HI-PRECISION: The High-Precision Pointing feature of LX200 allows for very precise pointing of the telescope. By incorporating the unique LX200 SYNC command, 0.3 arcsec resolution encoders, and high-speed DC servo motors, observers can now place objects in the telescope's field of view with 1 arc-minute or better pointing accuracy. This makes critical image placement applications, such as CCD imaging, possible.
step c, above. Press ENTER when the number is entered. e. Check the time delay as described in step b. If there is a delay, increase the compensation number. If there is a slight jump when reversing direction, then the number is too large. When the compensation number is correct, the LX200 telescope will move almost instantly when reversing the direction in Declination. This compensation feature also works in conjunction with . popular CCD autoguiders, allowing for more accurate autoguiding.
menu selection, the OBJECT INFORMATION selection, or the FIELD menu selection. 4. menu PARAMETERS: It is here that you can edit the Press ENTER to find eight options which can be reviewed by scrolling through this menu selection using the PREV or NEXT key. To edit an option, move the arrow to the desired option and press and hold ENTER until a double beep is heard and a blinking cursor appears (except in the BETTER option) Where numerical values are to be input, simply type them in from the keypad.
in a given eyepiece while in the FIELD menu. At power up the RADIUS menu file option is set to 15 arc minutes, the radius of 1/2 a degree (30 arc minutes), which is about the proper setting for a 26mm eyepiece used in an 8" f/10 LX200. To calculate the true field of an eyepiece in the telescope, first divide the focal length of the telescope (e.g.
FREQ RATE DESCRIPTION NOTES 60.1 Hz Q Sidereal rate; Quartz setting Default rate at power up. Gives sidereal frequency accuracy to ±.005%; Best for astrophotos 60.0 Hz Solar and planetary rate Average rate for tracking planets; Actual rates vary due to retrogrades, oppositions, etc. 57.9 Hz Lunar rate Best rate for tracking the Moon There are three menu file options in FREQ =. To see or set the options, move the arrow to FREQ = and press ENTER. At power up, the FREQ = default is the 60.
MAGNIFICATION AND FIELD OF VIEW 24 1. Magnification The magnification (power) of the telescope depends on two characteristics: the focal length of the main telescope and the focal length of the eyepiece used during a particular observation.
APPENDIX A: EQUATORIAL WEDGE There are two equatorial wedges used on Meade LX200 telescopes. Please read the section, below, that applies to your telescope. 1. 8" Equatorial Wedge (For 7" and 8" LX200) The equatorial wedge permits use of the 8" LX200 telescope in an astronomical, or "equatorial," mode. The wedge fits onto the field tripod, described below, and accepts the base of the 7" or 8" LX200 fork mount (Fig. 8).
the tilt-plate. If the main crossbar of the DLA is already tightened into place this will inhibit your installation of the tiltplate. You will therefore see that by re/easing the screws on the ends of the DLA crossbar your installation of the wedge tiltplate will be facilitated. 2. SUPERWEDGE (For 10" and 12"LX200) The Superwedge permits use of the 10" and 12" LX200 telescope in an astronomical, or "equatorial," mode.
4. Magnetic Compass 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).
Rotate the knob/compass so that the magnetic pointing arrow lies directly over the painted black alignment arrow (painted on the bottom surface of the compass, Fig. 18). The "North" position on the direction scale (and the point on the c. Finding True North The Magnetic Compass is now ready to use. Just follow these simple steps for a quick and easy azimuth alignment: 1. Loosen the knob/compass slightly. This allows for rotation of the equatorial wedge under the knob/compass (Fig. 17).
APPENDIX B: EQUATORIAL USE 1. Celestial Coordinates Celestial objects are mapped according to a coordinate system on the Celestial Sphere, an imaginary sphere surrounding Earth on which all stars appear to be placed. This celestial object mapping system is analogous to the Earth-based coordinate system of latitude and longitude.
As an aside procedure, during your first use of the telescope, you should check the calibration of the Declination setting circle (3, Fig. 1), located at the top of each side of the fork. After performing the polar alignment procedure, center the star Polaris in the telescope field. Remove the knurled central hub of the Declination setting circle and slightly loosen the two bolts located under the knob. Now turn the circle unit until it reads 89.
APPENDIX C: LX200 ALIGNMENTSTAR LIBRARY AND STAR CHARTS: 1. Alignment Stars The LX200 utilizes 33 bright and well known stars to calibrate the telescope's Object Library in the ALTAZ and POLAR alignments. These stars were selected to allow observers from anywhere in the world on any given night, to be able to easily and quickly make precision alignments.
2.
APPENDIX D: LX200 64,359OBJECT LIBRARY The following guide to VQs was used in the visual observation process: 1. The LX200 64,359-Object Library The LX200 64,359-Object Library is a collection of the most studied and fantastic objects in the sky. It includes: • 15,928 SAO (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory) Catalog of Stars: All stars brighter than 7th magnitude. • 12,921 UGC (Uppsala General Catalog) Galaxies: Complete catalog. • 7,840 NGC (New General Catalog) objects: Complete Catalog.
The following types are distinguished in the CNGC: TYPE LEGEND DESCRIPTION 0 None Unverified Southern Object 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F S T OPEN GLOB DNEB PNEB GAL OPEN + DNEB None STAR MULTI+STAR MULTI+GAL DNEB GAL+OPEN GAL+GLOB GAL+DNEB GAL+OPEN+DNEB Open Cluster Globular Cluster Diffuse Nebula Planetary Nebula (or SN Remnant) Galaxy Open Cluster + Diffuse Nebula Non-Existent Object Star Multiple Star Multiple Galaxy (Usually Interacting) Dark Nebula in front of Diffuse Nebula Open Cluster
2. CNGC Catalog TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME 0045 00 14.0 -2310 486 10.4 GALAXY S- IV-V UGCA4 0055 0104 0129 0134 00 15.1 0024.1 00 29.9 00 30.4 -39 13 -7204 +60 14 -33 15 1944 1854 1260 486 8.2 4.0v 6.5v 10.1 GALAXY SBm: PEC EMISSION GLOB CLUS sp=G3 OPEN CLUS GALAXY S(B)b+ 0188 00 44.3 +8521 840 8.1v OPEN CLUS sp=F2 0205 0221 0224 0225 00 00 00 00 40.4 42.8 42.8 43.5 +41 42 +4053 +41 17 +61 48 1044 456 10680 720 8.0 8.2 3.5 7.
CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 1746 05 03.6 +2349 2520 6.1p OPEN CLUS c1 ST 1763 1807 1817 1820 04 56.8 05 10.7 05 12.1 05 03.8 -6624 +1632 +1642 -67 17 1500 1020 960 410 8.3 7.0v 7.7v 9.0 OPEN CLUS + ENEB IN LMC OPEN CLUS OPEN CLUS OPEN CLUS IN LMC BFS 01 ST c1 ST cC 1851 05 14.0 -4002 660 7.3v GLOB CLUS b2ST 46kly X-Ray Source 1857 1893 1904 1912 05 20.1 05 22.7 05 24.2 05 28.
CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG ALT NAME Q TAGS TYPE & DESCRIPTION COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 2437 0741.9 -1449 1620 6.1v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 2437 C 1 ST M46 5400ly (+CNGC 2438 PN) 2447 2451 2467 2477 07 07 07 07 44.6 45.4 52.5 52.3 -2352 -3758 -2624 -3833 1320 2700 480 1620 6.2v 2.8v 7.2p 5.8v OPEN CLUS + DNEB OPEN CLUS sp=B5 OPEN CLUS + ENEB OPEN CLUS CNGC 2447 D6ST C 1 ST C6ST C 1 ST M93 Includes dark nebula 1 0OOly Open Cluster + Red Nebula 2516 07 58.
CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS c 1 ST 4349 1224.2 -61 54 960 7.4v OPEN CLUS 4374 4382 4395 4406 1225.1 1225.5 1225.8 1226.3 +1253 +18 11 +3332 +1256 300 426 774 444 9.3 9.2 10.2 9.2 GALAXY E1 GALAXY Ep 2-SYS GALAXY S+ IV-V GALAXY E3 UGC 7494 UGC 7508 UGC 7524 UGC 7532 C5ST CAST c5S C5ST M84 5.0x4.4 Near M86 M85 7.1x5.2 12.9x11.0 M86 7.4x5.5 4438 1227.8 +1300 558 10.1 GALAXY Sap UGC 7574 c5 ST 9.3x3.
CNGC Catalog (continued) DEC SIZE 5927 5986 6025 6067 1528.0 1546.1 1603.7 16 13.3 -5040 3746 6030 -54 13 720 588 720 780 8.3v 7.1v 5.1v 5.6v GLOBCLUS GLOBCLUS OPEN CLUS OPEN CLUS sp=B3 6087 16 18.9 -5754 720 5.4v OPEN CLUS 6093 16 17.1 -2300 534 7.2v GLOB CLUS 6101 6121 1625.7 1623.7 -72 13 -2631 642 1578 9.3v 5.9v GLOB CLUS GLOBCLUS sp=GO 6124 6144 1625.6 1627.2 -4042 -2603 1740 558 5.8v 9.1v OPEN CLUS GLOB CLUS c1 ST C2ST 6152 1632.8 -5238 1800 8.
42 CNGC Catalog (continued) CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 6981 20 53.5 -12 33 354 9.4v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6981 D2ST M72 6994 7000 7009 7036 20 59.0 21 01.8 21 04.3 21 12.1 -1237 +44 12 -11 22 +4743 168 7200 100 240 8.9p 6.6 8.3p 6.8v OPENCLUS DIFFENEB Hll PLAN NEB OPEN CLUS I 1 m CNGC 6994 D 1 ST b3ST C4ST c 1 ST M73 North American Nebula 3kly Saturn Nebula 3000ly 7039 21 12.2 +4539 1500 7.6v OPEN CLUS 7063 7078 21 24.4 21 30.
43 3. STAR Catalog RA DEC 1 00 08.3 +2906 2.1v STAR B8.5p IV:(Hg+Mn) Alpha And 8 ST Alpheratz 2 3 4 5 00 09.2 00 13.2 00 25.7 00 26.3 +59 10 +15 12 -77 15 -42 18 2.3v 2.8v 2.8v 2.4v STAR STAR STAR STAR F2 III-IV B2 IV G1 IV KO 1Mb Beta Cas Gamma Peg Beta Hyi Alpha Phe 8 8 8 8 ST ST ST ST Caph Algenib . 6 00 39.4 +3052 3.3v STAR K3 III Delta And A 8 ST * * * * 7 8 9 10 00 40.5 00 43.6 00 56.7 01 06.1 +5633 -1759 +6043 -4643 2.2v 2.0v 2.5v 3.
44 STAR Catalog (continued) RA STAR# DEC SIZE ALT NAME MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION *61 06 22.9 +2231 2.8v STAR M3 Illab Mu Gem 8ST Tejat Posterior *62 *63 *64 *65 0622.7 06 24.0 06 37.7 06 37.7 -1758 -5242 +1624 -4312 2.0v -0.7v 1.9v 3.2v STAR B1 ll-lll STAR A9 II STAR A1 IVs STAR B8 Illn Beta CMa Alpha Car Gamma Gem Nu Pup 8ST 8ST 8ST 8ST Murzim *66 06 44.0 +2508 3.0v STAR G8 Ib Epsilon Gem 8ST Mebsuta *67 *68 *69 *70 06 45.2 06 48.2 06 49.9 06 58.
45 STAR Catalog (continued) STAR# RA DEC SIZE MAG ALT NAME Q TAGS *121 1226.6 -6306 50 1.3v STAR B0.5 IV + B1 Vn Alpha Cru A 9 ST AcruxA B=1.7 *122 *123 *124 *125 1226.7 1229.9 1231.2 1234.4 -6307 -1631 -5707 -2324 50 240 1.7v 3.0v 1.6v 2.7v STAR STAR STAR STAR B1 Vn + B0.5 IV B9.5 III + K2 V M3.5 III G5II Alpha Cru B Delta Crv A Gamma Cru Beta Crv 9 9 8 8 ST ST ST ST Acrux B A=1 .3 Algorab B=8.3 Gacrux Kraz *126 1237.2 -6909 2.
46 STAR Catalog (continued) STAR# RA DEC ALT NAME SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS 11 2.8v STAR G1 IV + G7 V Zeta Her AB 9ST B=5.5 Alpha TrA Epsilon Sco A Mu 1 Sco Kappa Oph 8 ST 8ST 8 ST 8ST Artia *181 1641.3 +31 36 *182 *183 *184 *185 1648.7 1650.2 1651.9 1657.7 -6902 -34 17 -3803 +0922 1.9v 2.3v 3.0v 3.2v STAR STAR STAR STAR *186 1658.7 -5600 3.1v STAR K4 III Zeta Ara 8ST *187 *188 *189 *190 1708.7 17 10.4 17 12.2 17 14.
47 STAR Catalog (continued) STAR# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS *241 *242 *243 244 *245 22 05.8 22 -00 19 08.3 22 4658 -60 18.6 22 16 42.7 4652 2243.1 +30 14 3.0v 1.7v 2.9v 2.1v 2.9v STAR STAR STAR STAR STAR G2 Ib B7 IV K3 III M5 III G8 II + FO V Alpha Aqr Alpha Gru Alpha Tuc Beta Gru Eta Peg 88 88 8 ST ST ST ST ST Sadalmelik Al Nair Matar *246 '247 *248 22 53.6 22 -1550 57.7 23 2938 03.8 +2805 3.3v 1.2v 2.
48 STAR Catalog (continued) STAR# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS *301 1226.6 -6306 47 1.6 STAR 1.6:2.1 @114 Alpha Cru 9ST 1943 White:White '302 *303 *304 *305 1235.1 1241.7 1253.3 1323.9 +1822 -01 28 +21 15 +5455 202 30 8 144 5.2 3.5 5.1 2.3 STAR STAR STAR STAR 5.2:6. 8 3.5:3. 5.1:7. 2.3:4. @271 @287 @194 @151 ADS 8600 ADS 8630 ADS 8695 ADS 8891 9 ST 9ST 9ST 9ST 1963 Yellow:vBlue 1980=3.9 @297 White 1980=0.8 @175 1967 *306 1349.
49 4. M (Messier) Catalog M# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS M 1M 2M3 M4M 5 05 34.5 21 33.5 1342.3 1623.7 15 18.6 +2201 0050 +2823 2631 +0205 360 774 8.4 6.5v 972 1578 6.4v 1044 5.9v 5.8v PLAN NEB EMIS SN REM GLOBCLUS sp=F4 GLOB CLUS sp=F7 GLOB CLUS sp=GO GLOB CLUS sp=F6 CNGC 1952 CNGC 7089 CNGC 5272 CNGC 6121 CNGC 5904 B4ST C2ST B2ST B2ST B2 ST M1 Crab Nebula 4kly M2 40kly M3 35kly M4 14kly M5 26kly M6 M7 1740.1 1754.0 -32 13 3449 900 4800 4.
50 M (Messier) Catalog (continued) M# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS M 61 1222.0 +0428 360 9.7 GALAXY Sc I 2-SYS UGC 7420 DAST M61 6.0x5.5 Face-On M62 M 63 M64 1701.3 13 15.8 1256.7 -3007 +42 02 +21 41 846 738 558 6.6v 8.6 8.5 GLOBCLUS OBLATE GALAXY Sb+ II GALAXY Sb- CNGC 6266 UGC 8334 UGC 8062 D2ST C5ST C5ST M62 Non-symmetrical M63 12.3x7.6 Sunflower Gal M64 9.3x5.4 Black Eye Gal M65 11 18.9 +1305 600 9.
51 APPENDIX E: MAINTAINING YOUR LX200 1. Keeping Your Telescope Clean Prevention is the best recommendation that a telescope owner can follow to keep astronomical equipment in top working order. Proper measures taken during observation and when storing equipment between observing runs can add many years of trouble free use. Dust and moisture are the two main enemies to your instrument. When observing, it is advisable to use a proper fitting dew shield.
52 environmental pollutants, or temperature changes reacting with the interior paint, causing outgassing or water condensation, or combinations thereof. It is possible to clean the interior of the optical system yourself or to have it done professionally. In the case of the former, take great care in handling the optics. Any impact or rough handling can damage the surfaces, which may require complete optical replacement at Meade Instruments at substantial cost.
53 d. Turn the set screw that you found with the pointing exercise while looking in the eyepiece. You will notice that the star image will move across the field. If while turning, the out-offocus star image flies out of the eyepiece field, then you are turning the screw the wrong way. Turn the opposite direction and bring the image to the center of the field. e. If while turning, you feel the screw get very loose, tighten the other two screws by even amounts.
54 APPENDIX F: LX200 PERSONAL COMPUTER CONTROL Remote operation of a computerized telescope has only been a fanciful dream for most amateur astronomers. The realization of fully controlling a telescope through a personal computer has previously been a staggering proposition involving high monetary cost and expert knowledge of software and hardware. The LX200's internal software supports the RS-232 interface, requiring only a serial communication program such as Procomm.
55 DD* Example 56* Range 00* - 90* "Higher" parameter (degrees). PC keyboard, this will move the LX200 North, South, East, or West respectively. Press the space bar on the PC keyboard to stop. Press X to exit the program. If the LX200 does not respond to the N, S, E, or W keys, be sure the CAPSLOCK is OFF. If it still does not work, check the PC serial port pinouts of your computer to be sure they are wired correctly to the LX200 6-line connector. TT.
Command :Sg DDD*MM# Returns Ok Sets the longitude of the currently selected site. 56 commands except ":Q#" and ":h?#" are disabled during the search. Command :GG# Returns sHH# Gets the offset from Greenwich Mean Time. Command :hP# Returns Nothing Slews the telescope to the home position. Command :SG sHH# Returns Ok Sets the offset from Greenwich Mean Time.
Gefs the brighter (Gb) or fainter (Gf) magnitude limit for the FIND operation. Command :Sb sMM.M# :Sf sMM.M# Returns Ok Sets the brighter (Sb) or fainter (Sf) magnitude limit for the FIND operation. Command 57 Returns Increases (B+) or decreases (B-) reticle brightness, or sets to one of the flashing modes (BO, B1, B2, or B3). Command :GI# :Gs# Returns NNN'# Gefs the larger (Gl) or smaller (Gs) size limit for the FIND operation.
58 4. LX200 Demo Program The RS-232 interface communicates with your computer at 9600 Baud Rate, Parity = None, 8 Data Bits, 1 Stop Bits. For those who are familiar with programming, the LX200 Command Set is written in ASKII character format and can be used to write your own programs. The LX200 Demo Program on the following pages, is written in Quick Basic and is intended to demonstrate how commands are sent to the telescope and information is received from the telescope.
59 REM KEYS IFkey$ = CHR$(119)THEN GOSUB senddir: REM a$ = "#:Mw#" IFkeyS = CHR$(101)THEN GOSUB senddir: REM a$ = "#:Me#" IF key$ = CHR$(110) THEN GOSUB senddir: REM a$ = "#:Mn#" IF key$ = CHR$(115) THEN GOSUB senddir: REM a$ = "#:Ms#" IF key$ = "m" THEN GOSUB objects IF key$ = "t" THEN GOSUB objects IF key$ = "c" THEN GOSUB objects IF key$ = "p" THEN GOSUB objects IF key$ = "x" THEN CLS : END IF key$ = "r" THEN RUN GO TO 20 END senddir: west: IF key$ = "w" THEN a$ = "#:Mw#": PRINT #1, a$: REM GO TO west ea
60 OBDRAW: LOCATE 6, 31: PRINT" O B J E C T I N F O R M A T I O N " ; LOCATE 7, 31: PRINT "Object: "; LEFT$(info$, 9); LOCATE 8, 31: PRINT "Rating: "; MID$(info$, 10, 7); LOCATE 9, 31: PRINT "Magnitude: "; MID$(info$, 20, 5); LOCATE 10, 31: PRINT "Size: "; MID$(info$, 27, 6); IF counter = 0 THEN LOCATE 11, 31: PRINT "RA:"; : LOCATE 12, 31: PRINT "DEC:"; : LOCATE 7, 60: PRINT "Distance to SLEW"; : LOCATE 9, 55: PRINT "RA"; : LOCATE 10, 55: PRINT "Dec"; : GO TO scale c$ = "#:Gr#": PRINT#1,c$; :d$ = INPUT$(8,
61 KEYS: PRINT #1,"#:RC#" LOCATE 24, 1: PRINT" LOCATE 24, 34: PRINT CHR$(219); CHR$(178); CHR$(176); CHR$(176); CHR$(178); CHR$(219); RETURN KEY6: PRINT #1, "#:RG#" LOCATE 24, 1: PRINT" LOCATE 24, 42: PRINT CHR$(219); CHR$(178); CHR$(176); CHR$(176); CHR$(178); CHR$(219); RETURN key11: key$ ="n" GOSUB north RETURN key12: key$ = "w" GOSUB west RETURN key 13: key$ = "e" GOSUB east RETURN key14: key$ = "s" GOSUB south RETURN drawbox: REM REM REM REM RETURN LOCATE BOXSTX, BOXSTY: BOX$ = CHR$(201) FOR I = 1 T
62 APPENDIX G: LX200 SPECIFICATIONS Telescope 7" LX200 f/15 8" LX200 f/6.3 10" LX200 f/6.3 Optical Design Maksutov-Cassegrain Catadioptric Schmidt-Cassegrain Catadioptric Schmidt-Cassegrain Catadioptric Clear Aperture 178mm (7") 203mm (8") 254mm (10") Primary Mirror Diameter 194mm (7.625") 209.6mm (8.25) 263.5mm (10.375) Focal Length Focal Ratio 2670mm (105") f/15 1280mm (50.4") f/6.3 1600mm (63") f/6.3 Resolution .64 arc sec. .56 arc sec .
63 10" LX200f/10 200 f/10 Ophcai Design an-Schmidt-Cassegrain Catadioptric Schmidt-Cassegrain Catadioptric Schmidt-Cassegrain Catadioptric Clear Aperture Primary Mirror Diameter Focal Length 203mm (8") 209.6mm (8.25) 2000mm (80") 254mm (10") 263.5mm (10.375) 2500mm (100") 305mm (12") 314.3mm (12.375") 3048mm (120") Focal Ratio f/10 f/10 f/10 Resolution .56 arc sec .45 arc sec .375 arc sec Super Multi-Coatings Standard Standard Standard Limiting Visual Magnitude (approx) 14.0 14.
Operating Instructions Meade Standard Field Tripod For use with the 7" LX200 Maksutov-Cassegrain, 8" LX200 and 10" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain, and 4" and 5" ED APO Telescopes The Standard Field Tripod is supplied as a completely assembled unit, except for the spreader bar (4, Fig. 1) and the 2 lock knobs (6, Fig. 1) for each of the 3 tripod legs, used to adjust tripod height. These knobs are packed separately for safety in shipment. For visual (i.e.
Operating Instructions Meade® 18-volt DC Power Supply For Use with Meade LX200 Model Telescopes INTRODUCTION DC OPERATION Meade LX200 model telescopes are now supplied with 18-volt DC systems. This higher voltage allows for smoother slewing at high speeds and more reliable telescope operation.