Instruments Telescopes Instruction Manual RCX400

Series 4000 Nebular Filters: A modern boon to the city-dwelling deep-space
observer, the interference nebular filter effectively cancels out the effects of most
urban light pollution, while leaving the light of deep-space nebular emissions virtual-
ly unattenuated. Meade
Series 4000 Nebular Filters utilize the very latest in coating
technology
, and are available with threaded cells for eyepieces or for attachment to
the rear cells of Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain models.
Variable Tele-Extender: For eyepiece-projection photography of the Moon and the
planets, a Tele-Extender is required. The Variable Tele-Extender threads onto the
telescope's eyepiece-holder, into which is inserted an eyepiece of typically about
26mm focal length; the 35mm camera body couples to the tele-extender by means of
a T-Mount. The Meade
Variable Tele-Extender permits a range of projection images.
#928 45° Erect-Image Diagonal Prism: Diagonal mirrors and prisms result in images
that are correctly oriented up-and-down but reversed left-for-right. For terrestrial
observing a fully correctly oriented telescopic image is desirable; the
#928 Diagonal
Prism accomplishes this image correction and places the eyepiece at a convenient
45° viewing angle. The #928 is for use with the 1.25" Eyepiece-Holder.
Series 4000 Plössl 9mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece: The most advanced com-
mercially-available illuminated reticle eyepiece, the
Series 4000 Plössl 9mm model,
powered by an internal battery, includes micrometric x-y positioning controls which
greatly facilitate locking onto the guide star: Turn the finely-threaded controls and
place the reticle’s crossline pattern precisely at the desired position in the field. The
sharp, high-power imaging of the 4-element, multi-coated Plössl optical system is
complemented by a rubber eyecup (foldable for eyeglass wearers) that shuts out dis-
tracting stray light from the observer’s eye. The upper (lens) section of the eyepiece
rotates on a fine thread for precise diopter adjustment to the user’s eye. Reticle pat-
tern is a double crossline with two concentric circles.
#62 T-Adapter: The T-Adapter is the basic means of prime-focus photography through
all Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain models. Thread the T-Adapter on to the rear cell of
your telescope, followed by a T-Mount for your 35mm camera, and the camera body
is rigidly coupled to the telescope.
#777 Off-Axis Guider: The Off-Axis Guider provides a means during long-exposure
astrophotography for the photographer to monitor the tracking of the telescope to
assure that the telescope remains precisely positioned on the object being pho-
tographed. Like the T-Adapter, the
Off-Axis Guider couples the camera body to the
telescope but it also causes a small amount of the guidestar’s incoming light to be
diverted at a right angle, where the star’s position can be examined for tracking errors
with an illuminated reticle eyepiece; position corrections can then be effected using
Autostar II.
Piggyback Brackets (not available for 20" model): Piggyback photography is one
of the most popular and easiest ways to get started in astrophotography. Attach your
35mm camera, with its own 35mm-to-250mm lens, atop your
RCX400 in equatorial
mode, and guiding the camera through the main telescope, wide-field photos of the
Milky Way of remarkable detail and clarity can be taken.
Dew Shields (not available for 20" model): In moist climates, water particles sus-
pended in the atmosphere may condense on the front surface of the telescope's cor-
recting plate. This dew formation may be inhibited to a significant extent by the addi-
tion of a dew shield, essentially an extension tube attaching to the front-cell of the tel-
escope.
#905 Variable Polarizer (1.25"): #1A Skylight Filter: The #905 system includes 2
Polarizer filters mounted in a specially-machined cell, for glare-reduction in observ-
ing the Moon. Rotate the thumbscrew at the side of the unit to achieve light trans-
mission between 5% and 25% of its original value. The #905 inserts into the diago-
nal mirror of the telescope, followed by an eyepiece. The #1A Skylight Filter threads
onto the rear cells of all Meade
RCX models and eff
ectively seals the interior of the
telescope from dust.
All other rear cell accessor
ies ma
y then be threaded to the #1A
Fig. 51: #905 Variable Polarizer and
#1A Skylight Filter.
Fig. 50: Series 4000 8 - 24mm Zoom
Eyepiece.
48
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.
Fig. 52: Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece.
Fig. 53: #62 T-Adapter.