Instruction Manual

LXD55-Series Telescopes
Meade Instruments Corporation

CONTENTS

WARNING!
Never use a Meade LXD55-Series 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.
Telescope Features.. 4 Autostar Features... 9 Getting Started..11 Unpacking and Assembly..11 How to Assemble Your Telescope..11 Balancing the Telescope..13 Aligning the Viewfinder...14 Choosing an Eyepiece...14 Observing By Moving the Telescope Manually.15 Activate the Arrow Keys..16 Slew Speeds..16 Observe the Moon..17 Tracking Objects..17 Setting the Polar Home Position.17 Observe a Star Using Automatic Tracking..18 Using Autostar's GO TO Capabilities.18 Moving Through Autostars Menus..19 Initializing Autostar...19 Training the Drive..20 Easy Alignment...21 Go To Saturn..21 Using the Guided Tour...22 Basic Autostar Operation..23 Autostar Navigation Exercise.23 Entering Data into Autostar..24 Navigating Autostar..24 Autostar's Menus..25 Object Menu..26 Event Menu..27 Glossary Menu...27 Utilities Menu..27 Setup Menu..28 Useful Autostar Features..32 Adding Observing Sites..32 Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the Libraries.33 Observing Satellites..34 Landmarks...34 To Check on Available Memory..35 Photography...36 Optional Accessories..37 Maintenance...39 Specifications...45 Appendix A: Celestial Coordinates..48 Setting Circles..48 Locating the Celestial Pole..49 One- And Two-Star Polar Alignment..49 Appendix B: Enhancing Pointing Precision..50 The Polar Alignment Viewfinder.50 Axis Alignment Method 1.50 Axis Alignment Method 2.53 Appendix C: Latitude Chart..54 Appendix D: EC Handbox...55 Appendix E: Mounting the Model SC-8 Optical Tube.59 Appendix F: Basic Astronomy..60
CAUTION: Use care to install batteries in the orientation indicated by the illustration in the battery slots of the battery holder. Follow battery manufacturer's precautions. Do not install batteries backwards or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batteries void your Meade warranty.
The name "Meade" and the Meade logo are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent Office and in principal countries throughout the world. "LXD55" and "Autostar" are trademarks of Meade Instruments Corporation. "Easy Align" U.S. patent 6,392,799 and other patents pending. Intelligent Network Architecture to Facilitate Parallel Task Management U.S. patent 6,304,Meade Instruments Corporation.

TELESCOPE FEATURES

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Fig. 1a: The LXD55-Series Telescope Optical Assembly (Schmidt-Newtonian model with Autostar handbox shown; Electronic Controller model users, see Appendix D, page 55).

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Fig. 1b: Close up of Focuser and Viewfinder Assembly, Scmidt-Newtonian shown. (See Fig. 1a for overview.) For a close up of the refractor focuser assembly, see Fig. 10b, page 13. Fig. 1c: The LXD55-Series Tripod

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Fig. 1d: The LXD55-Series Mount.

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Fig. 1e: The LXD55-Series Computer Control Panel (see
LXD55-Series:Your Personal Window to the Universe
The Meade LXD55-Series models are versatile, high-resolution telescopes. Supplied with either an Electronic Controller or an Autostar handbox, the LXD55-Series models offer unmatched mechanical and electronic performance.

Fig. 15a & 15b: Jupiter; examples of the right amount of magnification and too much magnification.
supplied with your telescope. When the object is centered and focused in the eyepiece, switch to a higher power eyepiece to enlarge the image as much as practical for prevailing viewing conditions. For information about other eyepieces available for your telescope, see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 37.
Once centered, an object can be focused by turning one of the knobs of the focusing mechanism (8, Fig. 1b). Notice that when observing astronomical objects, the field of view begins to slowly drift across the eyepiece field. This motion is caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis. Objects appear to move through the field more rapidly at higher powers. See TRACKING OBJECTS, page 17, for detailed information on how you can counteract the drift in the field of view.
Activate the Arrow Keys (Autostar Models Only)
Autostar's Arrow keys allow you to slew (move) the telescope up, down, right, or left. The following procedure describes how to activate Autostar's Arrow keys:
Note: Autostar only prompts you to enter Country (or State) and City as described in steps 3, 4, and 5, the first time it is activated. These prompts do not appear again, unless you reset Autostar (see RESET, page 31). However, if you need to re-enter this information (e.g., you change your geographic location), you can change the location information by using the Site option of the Setup menu. See ADDING OBSERVING SITES, page 32, for detailed information.
After the batteries are installed and Autostar's cord is plugged into the HBX port of computer control panel (A, Fig 1e), a copyright message lights on the Autostar LCD display (1, Fig. 2). A message warning not to look at the Sun scrolls across the display. Press the key prompted by Autostar to acknowledge that the Sun warning has been read and understood. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2) repeatedly until "Country/State" appears on the display. (Ignore the prompts requesting Date and Time. See INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page 19, for more information). Use the Scroll keys (7, Fig. 2) to cycle through the database of countries, states, and provinces. Press ENTER when the correct location displays. Autostar then prompts you to enter the nearest city (listed alphabetically) to the observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of cities. Press ENTER when the correct city appears on the display. Autostar then prompts you to enter the model number of your telescope. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the list of telescope models. Press ENTER when the correct model appears on the display. The display then reads "Align: Easy." You now can use Autostar's Arrow keys to move the telescope to observe. Note: If you go past the "Align: Easy" (or any other menu display you wish to select), press MODE to return to the previous display(s).

Press the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to move the telescope up, down, right, or left. You can move the telescope at different speeds.
Slew Speeds (Autostar Models Only)
Autostar has nine slew speeds that move the optical tube at rates that are directly proportional to the sidereal rate and have been calculated to accomplish specific functions. Press a Number key (6, Fig. 2) to change the slew speed, which is shown for about two seconds on Autostars display. The nine available speeds are: Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Key Key Key Key Key Key Key Key Key 9 = 1x = = 2x = = 8x = = 16x = = 64x = = 128x = = 1.5 = = 3 = = Max = 270 x sidereal (0.25 arc-min/sec or 0.004/sec) x sidereal (0.5 arc-min/sec or 0.008/sec) x sidereal (2 arc-min/sec or 0.033/sec) x sidereal (4 arc-min/sec or 0.067/sec) x sidereal (16 arc-min/sec or 0.27/sec) arc-min/sec or 0.5/sec arc-min/sec or 1.5/sec arc-min/sec or 3/sec arc-min/sec or 4.5/sec
Note: If you wish to perform a more precise polar alignment for the purposes of astrophotography, see "Appendix B," page 50.
Speeds 1, 2, or 3: Best used for fine centering of an object in the field of view of a higher power eyepiece, such as a 12mm or a 9mm eyepiece. Speeds 4, 5, or 6: Enables centering an object in the field of a low-to-moderate power eyepiece, such as the standard Super Plssl 26mm. Speeds 7 or 8: Best used for rough centering of an object in the viewfinder. Speed 9: Moves the telescope quickly from one point in the sky to another.

Observe the Moon

Point your telescope at the Moon (note that the Moon is not visible every night). Use your EC handbox or Autostar to practice using the Arrow keys and the slew speeds to view different features. The Moon contains many interesting features, including craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines. The best time to view the Moon is during its crescent or half phase. Sunlight strikes the Moon at an angle during these periods and adds a depth to the view. No shadows are seen during a full Moon, making the overly bright surface to appear flat and rather uninteresting. Consider the use of a neutral density Moon filter when observing the Moon. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 38. Not only does it cut down the Moon's bright glare, but it also enhances contrast, providing a more dramatic image.

Fig. 16b: The polar home position, front view.
Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature
In this example, Autostar's Arrow keys are used to find a star, and then Autostar's tracking capability automatically keeps the star centered in your telescope's eyepiece. EC handbox users, see APPENDIX D, page 55, for information about tracking with the EC handbox. 1. If you have activated the Arrow keys and completed setting the telescope in the polar home position, Autostar's display now reads "Align: Easy." Go to Step 2. If you have not used Autostar yet or have just plugged it into the HBX port, perform the procedures described in ACTIVATE THE ARROW KEYS, page 16 and SETTING THE POLAR HOME POSITION, page 17. Then go to Step 2 of this procedure. If you have been using Autostar to perform other functions and the display does not read "Align: Easy," follow these steps:
Important Note: While performing the automatic tracking procedure, you may use the Arrow keys to move the telescope or you may also loosen the telescope locks (17 and 33, Fig. 1d) and move the optical tube manually to locate another object in the sky. The tracking function will continue to be operational and the telescope will track the new object.
Tip: You can change the telescope's slew rate while centering an object in the eyepiece. See SLEW SPEEDS, page 16 for more information.
a. Press MODE (3, Fig. 2) repeatedly until "Select Item: Object" displays. b. Press the Scroll Up key (7, Fig. 2) once. "Select Item: Setup" displays. c. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2). "Setup: Align" displays. Go to Step 3. 2. 3. 4. 5. Press MODE (3, Fig. 2). "Setup: Align" displays. Press the Scroll Down key repeatedly until "Setup: Targets" displays. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2). "Targets: Terrestrial" displays. Press one of the Scroll keys once (7, Fig. 2). "Targets: Astronomical" now displays. Use the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to locate a bright star in the night sky. Use the viewfinder to help line up on the star. You may choose any unobstructed, bright star for the purposes of this example. Use Autostar's Arrow keys to center the star in the eyepiece. Once the star is centered, press ENTER to select "Astronomical." The telescope's tracking motors then engage. It may take the tracking motors several seconds to begin tracking. When they do, it may be necessary to once again center the star in the eyepiece. The tracking motors will then keep any star you choose in the center of the eyepiece. Press and hold the ENTER key for a few seconds and then release to stop tracking. You may also stop tracking by choosing "Terrestrial" in the Targets menu.
Using Autostar's GO TO Capabilities (Autostar Models Only)

Before you can use Autostar's GO TO capabilities, you must first: Learn how Autostar's keys move through the menus Initialize Autostar Place the telescope in the polar home position, if you have not already done so (see SETTING THE POLAR HOME POSITION, page 17) Select "Align: Easy" from Autostar's menus
Which Ones the Alignment Star?
If Autostar has chosen an alignment star with which you are unfamiliar, how can you be sure if the star in your eyepiece is really the alignment star? The rule of thumb is that an alignment star is usually the brightest star in that area of the sky. If you perform a GO TO to an alignment star and you're not sure if you have located the alignment star or it isn't in the eyepiece, look through your viewfinder. When you view an alignment star in the viewfinder, it stands out dramatically from the rest of the stars in that portion of the sky. The viewfinder will help you locate a star more quickly than the eyepiece, because it has a much wider field of view than the eyepiece. Using Autostar, set the slew speed to 6 or higher and use the Arrow keys to center the alignment star in the viewfinder. If your viewfinder has been aligned with the telescope, the alignment star should now be in the eyepiece. Set the slew speed to 4 or less and center the star in the eyepiece. Also see the "Spiral Search" tip on page 21. If you have an obstruction, such as a tree or a building blocking your view of the alignment star, or if you have any doubts at all about the star that has been chosen, no problem. Just press the Scroll Down key and Autostar will find another star to align upon.
Moving Through Autostars Menus (Autostar Models Only)
Autostar's menus are organized for quick and easy navigation.
Tip: When multiple choices are available within a menu option, the current option is usually displayed first and highlighted by a right pointing arrow (>).

s s s s s

Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2) to go deeper into Autostar menu levels. Press MODE (3, Fig. 2) to move back toward the top menu level. Press the Scroll keys (7, Fig. 2) to move up and down through the options available for each menu level. Press the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to enter characters. Press the Number keys (6, Fig. 2) to enter digits.
Initializing Autostar (Autostar Models Only)
This exercise describes how to initialize Autostar.

Fig. 19: Menus set in a loop.
Setup Align Date Time Daylight Saving Telescope Targets etc.
Fig. 20: Menu options display on the second line. Use the Scroll keys to move up or down through the list of options. Press ENTER to select the desired option.
Autostar Navigation Exercise
To demonstrate how the Autostar menu structure works, the following exercise calculates Sunset time so an evening observing session can be planned. Note: Before proceeding with this exercise, Autostar must be properly initialized and aligned (see pages 19 and 21). To Calculate Sunset time: 1. Press the MODE key several times, until Select Item: Object is displayed. 2. Press the Scroll Down key once to display the Event option in the Select Item menu.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Press the ENTER key to choose the "Event" option and move down a level. "Event: Sunrise" is displayed. Press the Scroll Down key once to display the "Sunset" option in the Event menu. Press the ENTER key to choose the "Sunset" option and move down another level. Autostar calculates the Sunset time based on the current date, time, and location. Autostar then displays the results of the calculation. Press MODE once to start moving back up through the Autostar levels. The first level up is the Event menu. Press MODE again to move up another level. This is the top level, "Select Item." Press MODE again to return to the starting point of "Select Item: Object."
Entering Data into Autostar
Use the Number keys to enter digits. Use the Arrow keys to scroll through numbers 0 through 9 and the alphabet. The Down Arrow key begins with the letter "A;" the Up Arrow key begins with digit "9." To move the cursor across the display: Use the Right or Left Arrow key (5, Fig. 2) to move the cursor from one number to the next in the display. Press ENTER when the desired information has been entered.

Navigating Autostar

Autostar's menus are organized for quick and easy navigation:
Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2) to go deeper into Autostar's menu levels. Press MODE (3, Fig. 2) to move back toward the top menu level. Press the Scroll keys (7, Fig. 2) to move up and down through the options or lists. Press the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to move the cursor across the display. Press the Help (?) key (8, Fig. 2) to access on-line help.

LXD55 TIPS Look into the Future
The Autostar Date option in the Setup menu is much more than just an entry of today's date; with it you can look far into the future or learn about past events. Autostar can calculate the date and times of future events and, except for eclipses, past events as well (based on the current calendar system). E.g., a Sunrise on March 6, 2043 A.D. or the Vernal Equinox in 1776 A.D. To use this feature, enter the desired date in the Setup: Date menu and select an option in the Event menu. Autostar can calculate dates and times for Sunrises, Sunsets, Moonrises, Moonsets, Moonphases, Solar and Lunar Eclipses (for the next 100 years), meteor showers, equinoxes and solstices, and the minimums of Algol. One very practical use of the Date and Time menus is to use the Sunset option to determine when you can begin your astronomical observing on any given evening.

AUTOSTAR'S MENUS

Select Item: Object
Solar System Mercury Etc. Moon Asteroids Comets Constellations Andromeda Etc. Deep Sky Named Object Galaxies Nebulae Planetary Neb. Etc. Star Named SAO Catalog Double Variable Etc. Satellite Select Add Delete Edit User Objects Select Add Delete Edit Landmarks Select Add Delete Identify Browse Start Search Edit Parameters

Select Item: Event

Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset Moon Phases Next Full Moon Next New Moon Next 1st Qtr Next 3rd Qtr Meteor Showers Quadrantids Lyrids Eta Aquarids Delta Aquarids Perseids Orionids Taurids Leonids Geminids Ursids Solar Eclipses Lunar Eclipses Min. of Algol Autumn Equinox Vernal Equinox Winter Solstice Summer Solstice

Select Item: Guided Tour

Tour Objects Tonight's Best Star Groups Stars of the Night
A. Accretion Disk Etc. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. V. W. X. Y. Z.

Select Item: Utilities

Timer Set Start & Stop Alarm Set On & Off Eyepiece Calc. Field of View Magnification Suggest Display Options Sun Warning Getting Started Brightness Adj. Contrast Adj. Battery Alarm Landmark Survey Sleep Scope Park Scope Cord Wrap

Select Item: Setup

Align Easy One Star Two Star Date Time Daylight Saving Telescope Model Focal Length Az/RA Ratio Alt/Dec Ratio Az/RA Percent Alt/Dec Percent Train Drive Tracking Rate Reverse L/R Reverse Up/Dn Calibrate Motor High Precision Targets Astronomical Terrestrial Site Select Add Delete Edit Owner Info Clone Download Statistics Reset

Tip: The Reverse L/R and U/D functions are useful if you are observing in the Southern hemisphere.
Lunar: Choose this option to properly track the Moon over long observing sessions. c. Custom: Allows entry of user-defined tracking rates. Reverse L/R: Reverses the functions of the Left and Right Arrow keys (i.e., the Right key moves the telescope to the left). Reverse U/D: Reverses the functions of the Up and Down Arrow keys (i.e., the Up key moves the telescope down). Calibrate Motor: If the telescope motors appear to have a problem, use this option to retest the motors before performing a Reset. This option is also used if an Autostar unit is moved between telescopes, to match Autostar to the new telescope. To calibrate the motors, select this option and press ENTER. High Precision: If High Precision is turned on, when looking for a faint celestial object (i.e., a nebula or galaxy), Autostar first slews to a nearby bright star and displays "ENTER to Sync." Center the star in the eyepiece, then press ENTER. At that point the telescope has a high precision alignment to that part of the sky and it then slews to the object that was originally requested.
Tip: If the "ENTER to Sync" feature is accessed by mistake (holding the ENTER key for more than 2 seconds), press MODE to return to the previous screen.
Targets switches between Astronomical targets and Terrestrial targets. If "Astronomical" is selected, the telescope tracking motor is activated and any object you observe will remain centered in the eyepiece. If "Terrestrial" is selected, the tracking motor is turned off. To learn how to track an object automatically, see page 18. Site provides access to several options including: s Select: Displays the currently selected observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through all available sites (see ADD below). Press ENTER when the site you wish to select displays. Use this option when you move to a different geographic location.
Want to learn more about adding and editing sites? See page 32. Time Zone Atlantic Eastern Central Mountain Pacific Alaska Hawaii Shift -4 Hours -5 Hours -6 Hours -7 Hours -8 Hours -9 Hours -10 Hours

Add: Allows you to add new observing sites to the database (up to six sites may be stored). Scroll through the list of Countries/States. Press ENTER when the site you wish to add displays. Then choose the desired city in the same manner. Delete: Deletes a stored site from the database. Edit: Edits a selected site, including: the name, latitude, longitude, and time zone. Time Zone refers to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time zone shift. Users West of Greenwich, England use - hours, East of Greenwich use + hours. For the United States, look up the time zone shift in Table 1. Note: Autostar compensates for daylight savings time, if selected. See
SETUP MENU: DAYLIGHT SAVING, page 29.
Table 1: Time Zone Shift.
Note: The Download and Clone functions require the optional #505 Astrofinder Software and Cable Connector Kit. See the instruction sheet included with the kit for more information on how to download.
Owner Info accesses the owner information menu, including: Name: Users may enter both their first and last names using the Up and Down Arrow keys to cycle through the alphabet. Use the Right and Left Arrow keys to move through the text. Press ENTER when the entry is complete. Address: Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to enter your street address, city, state, and zip code. Press ENTER when the entry is complete.
Download transfers information from a personal computer or another Autostar. During the operation, the warning Downloading Do Not Turn Off appears. Clone uploads information from one Autostar handbox to another. Three options are available: s Catalogs: Sends only user-defined object information, such as new satellite orbits or comet data to another Autostar handbox.
Software: Sends only the basic Autostar software. This is useful if one user has downloaded a new version of Autostar software from the Meade website (www.meade.com) and wants to pass this software along to friends. All: Everythinguser-defined information and Autostar softwareis sent to another Autostar.
Statistics provides basic statistical data about Autostar, including: s Characters Free: Shows how much room is available in user-defined object memory.
Version: Shows the current version of the Autostar software.
Reset completely resets Autostar. Most values entered into the menus revert to factory defaults. Autostar requires initialization after a Reset before proceeding with observations. See INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page 19.

To Edit a Site In this procedure, you will enter a location that is not available in the Autostar database by editing data of a nearby site. You will edit the location's name, latitude. longitude and the time zone shift. You will then select the site to enable it. You will need to know the latitude and longitude of your location to perform this procedure. 1. Using the Add option, choose a site on the list that is closest to your observing site and press ENTER so that the site is added to your observing sites list. Choosing a site already on the list (as opposed to using the "Custom" feature) makes it easier to edit, as the "Time Zone" value may not need to be changed. Scroll to "Site: Edit" and press ENTER. "Edit: Name" displays. Press ENTER. The name of the site you have just entered to your list displays; if it does not, scroll to the site. Using the Arrow keys, change the name of the site so that it now reads the name of your observing location. Press ENTER. "Edit: Name" displays again. Press the Scroll Down key and "Edit: Latitude" displays. Press ENTER. Using the Number Keys, enter the latitude of your observing site and then press ENTER. "Edit: Latitude" displays again. Press the Scroll Down key and "Edit: Longitude" displays. Press ENTER. Using the Number Keys, enter the longitude of your observing site and then press ENTER. "Edit: Longitude" displays again. Press the Scroll Down key and "Edit: Time Zone" displays. Press ENTER. (If the site you chose from the list in step 1 has the same Time Zone as the site you are editing, just press ENTER again to go on to the next step.) "Time Zone" refers to the Greenwich Time Zone shift. Users West of Greenwich, use "-" hours (one hour per time zone) and users East of Greenwich use "+" hours. For the United States, look up the shift in TABLE 1, at the left.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Time Zone Atlantic Eastern Central Mountain Pacific Alaska Hawaii Shift -4 Hours -5 Hours -6 Hours -7 Hours -8 Hours -9 Hours -10 Hours
10. After entering the shift, press ENTER. "Edit Time Zone" displays.
11. Press MODE. "Site: Edit" displays. 12. Using the Arrow keys, scroll to "Site: Select." The site you have just edited displays. Press ENTER to select the site or press MODE to exit.
Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the Libraries
In this procedure, you will enter coordinates of celestial objects that do not appear in any of the Autostar libraries. You will enter the object's name and R.A. and Dec. coordinates (required information). You may also enter the object's magnitude and size (optional information). Although Autostar contains an extensive database of celestial objects (stars, nebulae, planets, etc.) that you can observe, you may eventually want to view objects that are not part of a library. Autostar provides a feature that allows you to enter an object's R.A and Dec. coordinates in the "User: Objects" option of the Object menu and allows automatic slewing of the telescope to the user-entered coordinates. In order to use this menu option, you first need to look up the R.A. and Dec. coordinates of the object or objects you wish to observe. Check out your local library, computer store, or bookstore for astronomy books, CD Roms, or magazines (such as Sky & Telescope or Astronomy), to find coordinates of celestial objects. The objects/coordinates you enter become part of your own permanent database, called "User Objects." To enter coordinates of an object into the "User: Objects" option of the Object menu:

Locating the Celestial Pole

Little Dipper Polaris

Big Dipper
To get basic bearings at an observing location, take note of where the Sun rises (East) and sets (West) each day. After the site is dark, face North by pointing your left shoulder toward where the Sun set. To precisely point at the pole, find the North Star (Polaris) by using the Big Dipper as a guide (Fig. 35).

Cassiopeia

One- and Two-Star Polar Alignment
Fig. 35: Locating Polaris.
Autostar provides three different methods for Polar Alignment: Easy, One-Star and Two-Star. See EASY ALIGNMENT, page 21, for that procedure.

One-Star Polar Alignment

Polar One-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky. Autostar provides a library of bright stars and one star from this library is chosen by the observer for alignment. Polaris is chosen by Autostar. The rest of the procedure is almost identical to the EASY ALIGNMENT, page 21, except that Autostar prompts you to point the telescope at Polaris and center it in the telescope's eyepiece.

Two-Star Polar Alignment

Polar Two-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky. Autostar provides a library of bright stars and two stars from this library are chosen by the observer for alignment. Polaris is chosen by Autostar. The rest of the procedure is almost identical to the EASY ALIGNMENT, page 21, except that Autostar prompts you to point the telescope at Polaris and center it in the telescope's eyepiece.

Reticle LED Knob

APPENDIX B: ENHANCING POINTING PRECISION
The Polar Alignment Viewfinder
Typically Autostar's pointing capabilities are sufficient for most telescope observers, and the use of the polar alignment viewfinder is unnecessary for them. However, for those observers who need to meet the more demanding requirements of astrophotography, the polar alignment viewfinder allows the telescope mount to be more precisely aligned with true North. The polar alignment viewfinder contains a reticle, lit by an LED (Figs. 36 and 37). To align your telescope to North using the polar alignment viewfinder: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Set your telescope in the home position (see page 17). Then loosen the Dec. lock (17, Fig. 1d) and rotate the optical tube 90. Re-tighten the Dec. Lock. Loosen the R.A. Lock (33, Fig. 1d). Remove the polar viewfinder cap (18, Fig. 1d). If you have not already done so, remove the plastic separating the watch batteries inside the polar alignment reticle. See step 12, page 13. Turn the polar alignment reticle LED knob to turn on the LED and look through the reticle. Northern Hemisphere: Move the telescope mount until Polaris is superimposed on the graduated area of the reticle (between 40' and 60'). The center crosshair denotes the North celestial pole. Southern Hemisphere: The four-sided figure in the reticle represents a grouping of four stars in Octantis (Sigma, Tau, Chi, and Upsilon) for use in the Southern Hemisphere. Move the telescope mount on its R.A. axis until the four stars depicted in the reticle are superimposed on the four star group that matches the reticle pattern. Use the latitude T-handle screws (26, Fig. 1d) and the fine azimuth control knobs (27, Fig. 1d) to fine tune the mount adjustment until the reticle pattern is more precisely superimposed over the appropriate position as described in step 6. Note: Not all pointing positions are possible with the polar alignment reticle, as the tripod is a limiting factor as to how far the optical tube and mount can be moved. 8. Tighten the R.A. Lock (33, Fig. 1d). Return the optical tube to the home position. Note: Remember to turn off the polar alignment reticle LED.

Step 6.

Step 8.
Fig. 47: Indicator Light Key for Changing the Polar Mode.

Slot Groove

APPENDIX E: MOUNTING THE MODEL SC-8 SCHMIDTCASSEGRAIN OPTICAL TUBE
How to Attach the Optical Tube to the Mount The LXD55 model SC-8 Schmidt-Cassegrain assembles and operates identically to all the other LXD55 models equipped with an Autostar handbox, with one exception: the optical tube is attached to the mount with a mounting bracket rather than the cradle ring assembly. The optical tube is shipped with the mounting bracket already attached. To attach the mounting bracket /optical tube assembly to the mount, perform the following steps. 1. 2. Perform steps 1 through 6 as described in HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE, pages 11 and 12. Slide the mounting bracket into the cradle assembly mounting slot. For most applications, set the groove in the bracket next to the cradle locking knob, so that the bolt of the cradle locking knob will enter the groove when the knob is tightened. Tighten both the cradle locking knob and the secondary locking knob to a firm feel. See Fig. 48. If you are using heavy accessories (such as a camera, microfocuser, etc.) on the back end of the tube, you may need to balance the tube differently to keep the tube from drifting downward: Slide the mounting bracket and tube forward, until the screws at the back end of the tray touch the mount. See Figs. 48 and 49. Then tighten the cradle locking knob and the secondary locking knob to a firm feel. Continue the assembly with step 9 as described in HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE, page12, and complete all the subsequent steps. All other procedures are identical as described earlier in this manual.
Screws at the back-end of the bracket Locking Knobs
Fig. 48: Mounting the SC bracket and optical tube to the mount.

e Slid ard w For

Screws at the back-end of the bracket
Fig. 49: Adjusting the balance of the optical tube when using heavy accessories.
APPENDIX F: BASIC ASTRONOMY
In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a telescope smaller than your LXD55, turned it skyward instead of looking at the distant trees and mountains. What he saw, and what he realized about what he saw, has forever changed the way mankind thinks about the universe. Imagine what it must have been like being the first human to see moons revolve around the planet Jupiter or to see the changing phases of Venus! Because of his observations, Galileo correctly realized Earth's movement and position around the Sun, and in doing so, gave birth to modern astronomy. Yet Galileo's telescope was so crude, he could not clearly make out the rings of Saturn. Galileo's discoveries laid the foundation for understanding the motion and nature of the planets, stars, and galaxies. Building on his foundation, Henrietta Leavitt determined how to measure the distance to stars, Edwin Hubble gave us a glimpse into the possible origin of the universe, Albert Einstein unraveled the crucial relationship of time and light, and 21st-century astronomers are currently discovering planets around stars outside our solar system. Almost daily, using sophisticated successors to Galileo's telescope, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Telescope, more and more mysteries of the universe are being probed and understood. We are living in the golden age of astronomy. Unlike other sciences, astronomy welcomes contributions from amateurs. Much of the knowledge we have on subjects such as comets, meteor showers, double and variable stars, the Moon, and our solar system comes from observations made by amateur astronomers. So as you look through your Meade LXD55-Series telescope, keep in mind Galileo. To him, a telescope was not merely a machine made of glass and metal, but something far morea window of incredible discovery. Each glimpse offers a potential secret waiting to be revealed. Autostar Glossary Be sure to make use of Autostars Glossary feature. The Glossary menu provides an alphabetical listing of definitions and descriptions of common astronomical terms. Access directly through the Glossary menu or through hypertext words embedded in Autostar. See GLOSSARY MENU, page 27, for more information. Objects in Space Listed below are some of the many astronomical objects that can be seen with your LXD55-Series telescope: The Moon The Moon is, on average, a distance of 239,000 miles (380,000km) from Earth and is best observed during its crescent or half phase when Sunlight strikes the Moons surface at an angle. It casts shadows and adds a sense of depth to the view (Fig. 50). No shadows are seen during a full Moon, causing the overly bright Moon to appear flat and rather uninteresting through the telescope. Be sure to use a neutral Moon filter when observing the Moon. Not only does it protect your eyes from the bright glare of the Moon, but it also helps enhance contrast, providing a more dramatic image.

Fig. 53: The Pleiades is one of the most beautiful open clusters.
Fig. 51: The giant planet, Jupiter. The four largest moons can be observed in a different position every night.
Fig. 52: Saturn has the most extensive ring structure in our Solar System.
Open Clusters are loose groupings of young stars, all recently formed from the same diffuse nebula. The Pleiades is an open cluster 410 light years away (Fig. 53). Through the LXD55-Series, numerous stars are visible. Constellations are large, imaginary patterns of stars believed by ancient civilizations to be the celestial equivalent of objects, animals, people, or gods. These patterns are too large to be seen through a telescope. To learn the constellations, start with an easy grouping of stars, such as the Big Dipper in Ursa Major. Then, use a star chart to explore across the sky. Galaxies are large assemblies of stars, nebulae, and star clusters that are bound by gravity. The most common shape is spiral (such as our own Milky Way), but galaxies can also be elliptical, or even irregular blobs. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is the closest spiral-type galaxy to our own. This galaxy appears fuzzy and cigar-shaped. It is 2.2 million light years away in the constellation Andromeda, located between the large W of Cassiopeia and the great square of Pegasus.
LXD55 TIPS Further Study.
This manual gives only the briefest introduction to astronomy. If you are interested in pursuing further studies in astronomy, a few topics are suggested below that are worth reading up on. Try looking up some of these in the optional Autostar glossary. Also included below is a small sampling of books, magazines, and organizations that you might find helpful. Topics 1. How is a star born? How does a solar system form? 2. How is the distance to a star measured? What is a light year? What is red shift and blue shift? 3. How are the craters on our Moon formed? Is there water under the surface of the Moon? 4. What is a black hole? A neutron star? A gamma burster? An Einstein lens? 5. What are stars made of? Why are stars different colors? How is the elemental composition of a star determined? What is an Lyman Alpha forest? 6. What is the difference between a Type 1 and a Type II supernova? 7. What is the importance of studying the composition of comets? Where do comets come from? 8. How old is our Sun? Will our Sun evolve into a planetary nebula or go supernova? 9. What is the Inflationary Big Bang? What is dark matter? What are MACHO's? 10. How are extrasolar planets discovered? What is an accretion (or protoplanetary) disk? 11. What are the differences between elliptical, spiral, and irregular galaxies? Can globular clusters be older than the universe itself? Books 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The Guide to Amateur Astronomy by Jack Newton and Philip Teece The Sky: A Users Guide by David Levy Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno & Dan Davis Astrophotography for the Amateur by Michael Covington Observing for the Fun of It by Melanie Melton Will Black Holes Devour the Universe? and 100 Other Questions about Astronomy by Melanie Melton Sky & Telescope Box 9111, Belmont, MA 02178 Astronomy Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187 Astronomical League Executive Secretary 5675 Real del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88012 The Astronomical Society of the Pacific 390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112 The Planetary Society 65 North Catalina Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106

Caution When loosening the Dec. lock, be sure to support the optical tube (18, Fig. 1a). The weight of the tube could cause the tube to swing suddenly.
Viewfinder Bracket Screws: Tighten to a firm feel to hold viewfinder securely in place (see E and h). See page 12 for more information. Focus Lock Knob: Designed to prevent the focuser drawtube from moving when a heavy accessory, such as a camera, is attached to the focuser assembly. For normal observing with an eyepiece and diagonal, it is not necessary to use the lock knob. Declination (Dec.): Controls the manual movement of the telescope. Turning the Dec. lock counterclockwise unlocks the telescope enabling it to be freely rotated by hand about the Dec. axis. Turning the Dec. lock clockwise (to a firm feel only) tightens the lock and prevents the telescope from being moved manually, but engages the Dec. motor drive (see 3$) for Autostar operation. Polar Viewfinder Cap: Remove this cap when using the polar viewfinder (see 2(). Dec. Setting Circle: See APPENDIX A, page 50, for more information. Counterweight Shaft Base: Thread, along with the shaft, to the mount. See page 11 for more information. Counterweight and Counterweight Lock Knob: Counterbalances the weight of the optical tube, and adds stability to the mount. Tighten the lock knob on the side of the counterweight to a firm feel to prevent the weight from sliding on the shaft. Counterweight Shaft: Slide the counterweight onto this shaft (see 2!). Counterweight Safety Cap: Prevents the counterweight from accidentally slipping off the end of the counterweight shaft. Computer Control Panel (see Fig. 1e): A. Handbox (HBX) Port: Plug the Autostar or EC handbox coil cord (10, Fig. 2) into this port. B. 12v DC Power Connector: Plug the battery pack into this connector. The telescope assembly also may be powered from either a 12v DC auto cigarette lighter plug using the optional #607 Cigarette Lighter Adapter or from a standard 115v AC home outlet using the optional #547 Power Adapter with Cable or #547F Power Adapter for 220v outlets. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 38. C. LED: Illuminates when power is supplied to the Autostar or EC handbox and the telescopes motor drive. D. ON/OFF Switch: Turns the Computer Control Panel and Autostar ON or OFF. E. AUX Port: Provides connection for current and future Meade accessories. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 38. F. Dec Port: Plug the coil cord from the Dec. motor assembly into this port for Autostar to control the motor drive. Right Ascension (R.A.) Motor Drive Assembly: Controlled by Autostar or EC handbox. Moves the optical tube along the R.A. axis. The R.A. Lock (see 3#) must be tightened to a firm feel in order for the R.A. motor to operate. Latitude Adjustment T-Handles (2): Sets the latitude of your observing location. The two T-handle screws work in a "push - pull" operationas you tighten one, loosen the other. Fine Azimuth Control Knobs: Fine tune the side-to-side movement of the telescope when centering Polaris in the telescope eyepiece or when using the polar alignment viewfinder (see 2(). Latitude Dial: Set the latitude of the observing site on this dial using the latitude T-handle screws. For more information see Step 6, page 12. Polar Alignment Viewfinder: Allows you to precisely polar align the telescope. Useful when performing astrophotography. See page 52. Polar Alignment Viewfinder Reticle and LED Knob: Rotate the knob to switch on or off the LED that illuminates the reticle within the polar alignment finder. Be

LXD75 TIPS

Join an Astronomy Club, Attend a Star Party
One of the best ways to increase your knowledge of astronomy is to join an astronomy club. Check your local newspaper, school, library, or telescope dealer/store to find out if theres a club in your area. At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy and Meade enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to learn more about observing the sky, to find out where the best observing sites are, and to compare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters, tripods, and so forth. Often, club members are excellent astrophotographers. Not only will you be able to see examples of their art, but you may even be able to pick up some tricks of the trade to try out on your LXD75-Series telescope. See page 36 for more information about photography with the LXD75-Series. Many groups also hold regularly scheduled Star Parties at which you can check out and observe with many different telescopes and other pieces of astronomical equipment. Magazines such as Sky & Telescope and Astronomy print schedules for many popular Star Parties around the United States and Canada.

AUTOSTAR FEATURES

Important Note: The model SN-6EC, model SN-8EC, and model AR5EC are equipped with an Electronic Controller handbox, rather than the Autostar Handbox. Several of the following procedures, such as Tracking Objects and Initializing Autostar (to name but a few), are relevant only to models equipped with the Autostar handbox and do not apply to the EC models. For more information about the EC handbox, see APPENDIX D: EC HANDBOX, page 58.
Fig. 2: The Autostar Handbox.
Note: Autostar does not require batteries; the telescopes batteries supply power to Autostar.
Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button
Control of most LXD75-Series telescope models (excluding the EC models; see margin note) is through the operation of Autostar. Nearly all functions of the telescope are accomplished with just a few pushes of Autostars buttons. Some of the major features of Autostar are:

Cradle Lock Knob

Cradle Assembly Slot
Fig. 7: Attach cradle to base mounting slot and tighten locking knobs.

Cradle Rings

Lock Knobs
Fig. 8: Place optical tube in rings and loosely tighten cradle ring lock knobs. Note: Model SC-8 users: After completing step 6, refer to APPENDIX E, page 62, step 1, for information on how to attach the SC optical tube to the mount.
Viewfinder Mounting Screws and Nuts
Fig. 9a: Viewfinder assembly, Newtonian reflector models.
Fig. 9b: Viewfinder assembly, refractor and Schmidt-Newtonian and Schmidt-Cassegrain models models.
Insert the eyepiece: Achromatic refractor and Schmidt-Cassegrain models (Fig. 10b): Lift to remove the dust cap from the eyepiece holder on the focuser assembly. Set the dust cap aside in a safe place and replace it when you have finished observing to protect the eyepiece assembly. Back off the eyepiece thumbscrews (1, Fig. 1b) and slide the diagonal into the holder and tighten the thumbscrews to a firm feel only. Insert the supplied SP 26mm eyepiece (3, Fig.

Thumbscrew

1b) into the the diagonal. Tighten the diagonal's thumbscrews to a firm feel to secure the eyepiece. Note: Two eyepiece holders are included with your telescopefor both 1.25" and 2" eyepieces. To change eyepiece holders, unscrew the attached holder from the focuser and thread on the other holder. 11. Adjust the height of the tripod: Adjust the height of the tripod by loosening the tripod lock knobs (Fig. 11). Extend the sliding inner section of each tripod leg to the desired length; then tighten each knob. Adjust the tripod to a height that is comfortable for viewing.

Eyepiece Holder

Fig. 10a: Insert eyepiece into holder and tighten thumbscrews.

Eyepiece Thumbscrews

12. Install Batteries: Insert eight (user-supplied) D-size batteries into the battery holder, oriented as shown in the diagram on the battery slots of the holder. Plug the battery pack into the 12v DC connector (B, Fig. 1e) on the computer control panel. See Fig. 12. Caution: Use care to install batteries as indicated by the battery compartment. Follow battery manufacturer's precautions. Do not install batteries backwards or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batteries void your Meade warranty. Always remove the batteries if they are not to be used for a long period of time.

Diagonal

Holder
Fig. 10b: Insert eyepiece into diagonal and tighten thumbscrews. Fig. 13b: Reticle LED assembly: (A) Reticle Container; (B) LED; (C) Batteries; (D) Battery Holder; (E) Cap.

Leg Lock Knob

Fig. 11: Adjust the tripod height using the leg lock knobs.
13. Remove Plastic Strip from Reticle LED: The polar alignment reticle LED (30, Fig. 1d) contains two watch batteries. The reticle's LED is shipped with a plastic strip between the two batteries to protect battery life. Unthread both the cap (E). Remove the plastic strip before using. Refer to the reticle assembly in Fig. 13b and note the orientation of the batteries. Place the batteries (C) into the battery holder (D) before inserting into the reticle container (A). Note: Remember to turn off the LED when you are not using the reticle. 14. Plug in Autostar or EC Handbox: Plug the Autostar or EC handbox cable into the HBX port (A, Fig. 1e).

Balancing the Telescope

In order for the telescope to be stable on the tripod and also for it to move smoothly, it must be balanced. To balance the telescope, unlock the Right Ascension or R.A. lock (33, Fig. 1d). When this axis is unlocked, the telescope pivots on the R.A. axis. Later in the procedure, you will also unlock the Declination or Dec. lock (17, Fig. 1d). When unlocked, the telescope pivots on the Dec. axis. Most of the motion of the telescope takes place by moving about these two axes, separately or simultaneously. Try to become familiar with these locks and observe how the telescope moves on each axis. To obtain a fine balance of the telescope, follow the method below: 1. Firmly hold the optical tube secure so that it cannot accidentally swing freely. Loosen the R.A. lock (33, Fig. 1d). The optical tube now moves freely about the R.A. axis. Rotate the telescope so that the counterweight shaft (22, Fig. 1d) is parallel (horizontal) to the ground. Unlock the counterweight lock knob and slide the counterweight (21, Fig. 1d) along the counterweight shaft until the telescope remains in one position without tending to drift down in either direction. Then re-tighten the counterweight lock knob, locking the counterweight in position.

Fig. 12: Battery holder.

Reticle LED
Fig. 13: Reticle assembly.
Collimation Screws Viewfinder Eyepiece
Achromatic refractor, Schmidt-Newtonian models and Newtonian models: Again, hold the optical tube so that it cannot accidentally swing freely. Lock the R.A. lock (33, Fig. 1d), and unlock the Dec. lock (17, Fig. 1d). The telescope now is able to move freely about the Dec. axis. Loosen the cradle ring lock knobs (13, Fig. 1a) so that the main tube slides easily back and forth in the cradle rings. Move the main tube in the cradle rings until the telescope remains in one position without tending to drift down in either direction. Re-lock the Dec. lock (17, Fig. 1d).

Fig. 14b: Viewfinder assembly, Newtonian models. Important Note: Objects appear upside-down and reversed left-for-right when observed in the viewfinder. With refracting telescope models, objects viewed through the main telescope with the diagonal mirror in place are seen right-side-up, but reversed left-for-right. This image inversion is of no consequence when observing astronomical objects, and in fact all astronomical telescopes yield inverted images. During terrestrial observing, where a fully-correctly-oriented image (right-side up and correct left-for-right) is desirable, an optional Meade #Erect-Image Diagonal Prism is available. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 38. Note that for SchmidtNewtonian models, no means of image inversion is available; while these telescopes may be used for terrestrial observing, the image will not be correctly oriented in either right-side-up or leftfor-right orientations.
With this alignment performed, objects first located in the wide-field viewfinder will also appear in the telescope's eyepiece.

Choosing an Eyepiece

A telescopes eyepiece magnifies the image formed by the telescopes main optics. Each eyepiece has a focal length, expressed in millimeters, or mm. The smaller the focal length, the higher the magnification. For example, an eyepiece with a focal length of 9mm has a higher magnification than an eyepiece with a focal length of 26mm. Your telescope comes supplied with a Super Plssl (SP) 26mm eyepiece which gives a wide, comfortable field of view with high image resolution.
Note: Seeing conditions vary widely from night-tonight and site-to-site. Turbulence in the air, even on an apparently clear night, can distort images. If an image appears fuzzy and ill-defined, back off to a lower power eyepiece for a more well-resolved image (see Fig. 15a and 15b below).
Low power eyepieces offer a wide field of view, bright, high-contrast images, and eye relief during long observing sessions. To find an object with a telescope, always start with a lower power eyepiece such as the Super Plssl 26mm. When the object is located and centered in the eyepiece, you may wish to switch to a higher power eyepiece to enlarge the image as much as practical for prevailing seeing conditions. For information about optional eyepieces for the LXD75-Series models, see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 37. The power, or magnification of a telescope is determined by the focal length of the telescope and the focal length of the eyepiece being used. To calculate eyepiece power, divide the telescope's focal length by the eyepiece's focal length. For example, a 26mm eyepiece is supplied with the LXD75-Series. The focal length of the 8" LXD75Series model is 812mm (see SPECIFICATIONS, page 46). Telescope Focal Length Eyepiece Focal Length Telescope Focal Length Eyepiece Focal Length = = = = Magnification (Power) 812mm 26mm 31

Point counterweight shaft straight down over mount.

Tracking Objects

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. You can setup your telescope to move at the sidereal rate so that it automatically tracks the stars and other objects in the night sky. The tracking function automatically keeps an object more or less centered in the telescopes eyepiece. To automatically track objects, you first need to learn how to set the polar home position of your telescope and then how to select "Targets: Astronomical" from the Autostar Setup menu. EC handbox users, see APPENDIX D, page 58, for more information.
Level Mount Fine Azimuth Control Knobs
Setting the Polar Home Position
Fig. 16a: The polar home position, side view. Inset: Line up triangles on the mount.
Level the mount, if necessary, by adjusting the length of the three tripod legs. Unlock the R.A. Lock (33, Fig. 1d). Rotate the Optical Tube Assembly until the counterweight shaft is pointing straight down over the mount. See Figs. 16a and 16b. If you have not already done so, lift the telescope assembly and turn it so the tripod leg below the Fine Azimuth Control Knobs (27, Fig. 1c) approximately faces North (or South in the Southern Hemisphere). Release the Dec. lock (17, Fig. 1d) of the tripod, so that the optical tube (10, Fig. 1a) may be rotated. Rotate the optical tube until it points North (or South in the Southern Hemisphere). Then re-tighten the lock. Locate Polaris, the North Star, if necessary, to use as an accurate reference for due North (or Sigma Octantis in the Southern Hemisphere). See LOCATING THE CELESTIAL POLE, page 51. If you have not already done so, determine the latitude of your observing location. See APPENDIX C: LATITUDE CHART, page 57, for a list of latitudes of major cities around the world. Use the latitude T-handle screws (26, Fig. 1d) to tilt the telescope mount so that the pointer indicates the correct latitude of your viewing location on the latitude dial (28, Fig. 1d). See step 6, page 12 for more information. If steps 1 through 4 above were performed with reasonable accuracy, your telescope is now sufficiently well-aligned to Polaris, the North Star, for you to begin making observations.

Once the mount has been placed in the polar home position as described above, the latitude angle need not be adjusted again, unless you move to a different geographical location (i.e., a different latitude). Important Note: For almost all astronomical observing requirements, approximate settings of the telescopes latitude and other settings are acceptable. Do not allow undue attention to precise settings of polar home position of the telescope to interfere with your basic enjoyment of the instrument.
Fig. 16a: The polar home position, front view.
Observe a Star using the Automatic Tracking Feature
In this example, Autostar's Arrow keys are used to find a star, and then Autostar's tracking capability automatically keeps the star centered in your telescope's eyepiece. EC handbox users, see APPENDIX D, page 58, for information about tracking with the EC handbox. 1. If you have activated the Arrow keys and completed setting the telescope in the polar home position, Autostar's display now reads "Align: Easy." Go to Step 2. If you have not used Autostar yet or have just plugged it into the HBX port, perform the procedures described in ACTIVATE THE ARROW KEYS, page 16 and SETTING THE POLAR HOME POSITION, page 17. Then go to Step 2 of this procedure. If you have been using Autostar to perform other functions and the display does not read "Align: Easy," follow these steps:
Important Note: While performing the automatic tracking procedure, you may use the Arrow keys to move the telescope or you may also loosen the telescope locks (17 and 33, Fig. 1d) and move the optical tube manually to locate another object in the sky. The tracking function will continue to be operational and the telescope will track the new object.
Tip: You can change the telescope's slew rate while centering an object in the eyepiece. See SLEW SPEEDS, page 16 for more information.
a. Press MODE (3, Fig. 2) repeatedly until "Select Item: Object" displays. b. Press the Scroll Up key (7, Fig. 2) once. "Select Item: Setup" displays. c. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2). "Setup: Align" displays. Go to Step 3. 2. 3. 4. 5. Press MODE (3, Fig. 2). "Setup: Align" displays. Press the Scroll Down key repeatedly until "Setup: Targets" displays. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 2). "Targets: Terrestrial" displays. Press one of the Scroll keys once (7, Fig. 2). "Targets: Astronomical" now displays. Use the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to locate a bright star in the night sky. Use the viewfinder to help line up on the star. You may choose any unobstructed, bright star for the purposes of this example. Use Autostar's Arrow keys to center the star in the eyepiece. Once the star is centered, press ENTER to select "Astronomical." The telescope's tracking motors then engage. It may take the tracking motors several seconds to begin tracking. When they do, it may be necessary to once again center the star in the eyepiece. The tracking motors will then keep any star you choose in the center of the eyepiece. Press and hold the ENTER key for a few seconds and then release to stop tracking. You may also stop tracking by choosing "Terrestrial" in the Targets menu.

WARNING! Never use a Meade
Note: Meteors are fast moving objects that cover large areas of the sky and are usually best observed with the naked eye. Solar Eclipse lists upcoming Solar Eclipses, including the date and type (total, annular, or partial) of eclipse, and the location and time of the first and last contacts of the Moon's shadow. Use the Scroll Up and Down keys to display the available data. Remember, never use a telescope to look at the Sun! See WARNING! to the left. Lunar Eclipse lists upcoming Lunar Eclipses, including the date and type (total, partial, penumbral) 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 undergoes a major change in apparent magnitude as one of the two stars passes behind the other. The combined magnitude of the two stars thus dips from +2.1 to a minimum of +3.4 halfway through the eclipse as the second star is hidden. Autostar calculates minimum magnitude time at mid-eclipse. Autumn and Vernal Equinox calculates the time and date of the fall or spring equinox of the current year. Winter and Summer Solstice calculates the time and date of the winter or summer solstice of the current year.
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.

Glossary Menu

The Glossary menu provides an alphabetical listing of definitions and descriptions for common astronomical terms and Autostar functions. Access directly through the Glossary menu or through hypertext words embedded in Autostar. A hypertext word is any word in [brackets], usually found when using the Autostar Help function or when reading a scrolling message such as a description of a planet or star. Press ENTER whenever a hypertext word is on screen and Autostar goes to the glossary entry for that word. To access directly from the Glossary menu, use the Scroll keys to scroll through the alphabet. Press ENTER on the desired letter. Scroll to the desired entry and then press ENTER to read the description.

Utilities Menu

The Utilities menu provides access to several extra features within Autostar, including a countdown timer and an alarm. The Utilities functions include: Timer selects a countdown timer. This feature is useful for functions such as astrophotography and tracking satellites. To use the Timer, press ENTER, then choose Set or Start/Stop."

To Edit a Site In this procedure, you will enter a location that is not available in the Autostar database by editing data of a nearby site. You will edit the location's name, latitude. longitude and the time zone shift. You will then select the site to enable it. You will need to know the latitude and longitude of your location to perform this procedure. 1. Using the Add option, choose a site on the list that is closest to your observing site and press ENTER so that the site is added to your observing sites list. Choosing a site already on the list (as opposed to using the "Custom" feature) makes it easier to edit, as the "Time Zone" value may not need to be changed. Scroll to "Site: Edit" and press ENTER. "Edit: Name" displays. Press ENTER. The name of the site you have just entered to your list displays; if it does not, scroll to the site. Using the Arrow keys, change the name of the site so that it now reads the name of your observing location. Press ENTER. "Edit: Name" displays again. Press the Scroll Down key and "Edit: Latitude" displays. Press ENTER. Using the Number Keys, enter the latitude of your observing site and then press ENTER. "Edit: Latitude" displays again. Press the Scroll Down key and "Edit: Longitude" displays. Press ENTER. Using the Number Keys, enter the longitude of your observing site and then press ENTER. "Edit: Longitude" displays again. Press the Scroll Down key and "Edit: Time Zone" displays. Press ENTER. (If the site you chose from the list in step 1 has the same Time Zone as the site you are editing, just press ENTER again to go on to the next step.) "Time Zone" refers to the Greenwich Time Zone shift. Users West of Greenwich, use "-" hours (one hour per time zone) and users East of Greenwich use "+" hours. For the United States, look up the shift in TABLE 1, at the left.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Time Zone Atlantic Eastern Central Mountain Pacific Alaska Hawaii Shift -4 Hours -5 Hours -6 Hours -7 Hours -8 Hours -9 Hours -10 Hours

knurled knob

Fig. 31b: The four collimation screws on the diagonal mirror housing.

thumb screw

Important Note: Do not force the 4 screws past their normal travel, and do not rotate any screw or screws more than 2 full turns in a counterclockwise direction (i.e., not more than 2 full turns in their "loosening" direction), or else the diagonal mirror may become loosened from its support. Note that the diagonal mirror collimation adjustments are very sensitive: generally turning a collimation screw 1/2-turn will have a dramatic effect on collimation. 3. If the reflection of the diagonal mirror is not centered within the reflection of the primary mirror, adjust the 3 collimation screws located on the rear of the primary mirror cell. Note: There are 6 screws (Fig. 31c) on the primary mirror cell. The 3 knurled knobs are the collimation screws, and the 3 smaller thumb screws are locking screws. The locking screws must be loosened slightly in order to adjust the collimation screws. Proceed by "trial and error" until you develop a feel for which collimation screw to turn in order to change the image in any given way.
Fig. 31c: The six collimation screws on the rear of the primary mirror cell.
Note: A small paper ring is attached to the primary mirror. This ring was attached at the factory for purposes of laser collimation. The ring will not diminish your telescope's imaging capabilities and does not need to be removed.
Fig. 32: Correct (1) and incorrect (2) collimation as viewed during a star test.
4. Perform an actual star test to confirm the accuracy of steps 1 through 3. Using the SP 26mm eyepiece, point the telescope at a moderately bright (second or third magnitude) star, and center the image in the main telescope's field of view. 5. Bring the star's image slowly in and out of focus until you see several disks surrounding the star's center. If steps 1 through 3 were done correctly, you will see concentric (centered with respect to each other) circles (1, Fig. 32). An improperly collimated instrument will reveal oblong or elongated circles (2, Fig. 32). Adjust the 3 collimating screws on the primary mirror housing until the circles are concentric on either side of the focus. In summary, the 4 adjustment screws on the plastic diagonal mirror housing change the tilt of the secondary mirror so that it is correctly centered in the focuser drawtube, and so that the primary mirror appears centered when looking into the focuser. The 3 collimating knobs on the primary mirror change the tilt of the primary mirror so that it reflects the light directly up the center of the drawtube.

Alignment (Collimation) of the Newtonian Reflector Optical System
The optical systems of Newtonian Reflector telescopes include the following parts: primary mirror (1, Fig. 34); secondary mirror (2, Fig. 34); secondary mirror-holder (3, Fig. 34); secondary mirror-vanes (4, Fig. 34) and (1, Fig. 35); primary mirror-tilt screws (5, Fig. 34). The telescopes image is brought to a focus at (6, Fig. 34). 1. Confirm alignment - To confirm optical alignment look down the focuser drawtube (1, Fig. 37) with the eyepiece removed. The edge of the focuser drawtube frames reflections of the primary mirror (2, Fig. 37), the secondary mirror (3, Fig. 37), the three (spider) vanes (4, Fig. 37) holding the secondary mirror, and the observers eye (5, Fig. 37). With the optics properly aligned, all of these reflections appear concentric (centered), as shown in Fig. 37. Any deviation from concentricity of any of these telescope parts with the eye requires adjustments to the secondary mirror-holder (Fig. 35) and/or the primary mirror cell (Fig. 36, as described below.
2. Secondary mirror-vane adjustments: If the secondary mirror (1, Fig. 38) is left or right of center within the drawtube (2, Fig. 38), slightly loosen the 3-vane adjustment/lock knobs (1, Fig. 35) located on the outside surface of the main tube and slide the entire secondary mirror-holder system up or down in the slotted holes of the main tube until the secondary mirror is centered in the drawtube. If the secondary mirror (1, Fig. 38) is above- or below-center within the drawtube, thread inward one of the adjustment/lock knobs (1, Fig. 35) while unthreading another of these knobs. Only make adjustments to two knobs at a time until the secondary mirror appears as in Fig. 39. 3. Secondary mirror-holder adjustments: If the secondary mirror (1, Fig. 39) is centered in the focuser drawtube (2, Fig. 39), but the primary mirror is only partially visible in the reflection (3, Fig. 39), the three + (Phillips head) secondary mirror-tilt screws (2, Fig. 35) should be slightly unthreaded to the point where the secondary mirror-holder (3, Fig. 35) can rotate about its axis parallel to the main tube. Grasp the secondary mirror-holder (avoid touching the mirror surface!) with your hand and rotate it until, looking through the drawtube, you can see the primary mirror centered as well as possible in the reflection of the secondary mirror. With the rotation of the secondary mirror-holder at this best-possible position, thread in the three Phillips head screws (2, Fig. 35) to lock the rotational position. Then, if necessary, make adjustments to these three Phillips head screws to refine the tilt-angle of the secondary mirror, until the entire primary mirror can be seen centered within the secondary mirrors reflection. With the secondary mirror thus aligned the image through the drawtube appears as in Fig. 40. 4. Primary mirror adjustments: If the secondary mirror (1, Fig. 40) and the reflection of the primary mirror (2, Fig. 40) appear centered within the drawtube (3, Fig. 40), but the reflection of your eye and the reflection of the secondary mirror (4, Fig. 40) appear off-center, then the primary mirror tilt requires adjusting, using the Phillips head screws of the primary mirror cell (3, Fig. 36). These primary mirror-tilt screws are located behind the primary mirror, at the lower end of the main tube. See Fig. 36. Before adjusting the primary mirror-tilt screws, first unscrew by several turns (use either a hex wrench or pliers) the three hex-head primary mirror lock screws (2, Fig. 36) which are also located on the rear surface of the primary mirror cell and which alternate around the cells circumference with the three Phillips head screws. Then by trial and error turn the primary mirror Phillips head tilt screws (3, Fig. 36) until you develop a feel for which way to turn each screw to center the reflection of your eye in the drawtube. (An assistant is helpful in this operation.) With your eye centered as shown in Fig. 37, turn the three hex head primary mirror lock screws (2, Fig. 36) to re-lock the tilt-angle of the primary mirror. The telescopes optical system is now aligned, or collimated. This collimation should be re-checked from time to time, with small adjustments (per steps 1, 2, and/or 3, above) effected as required to keep the optics well-aligned.

6" f/5 Model N-6EC Specifications
Optical design...Newtonian Reflector Clear aperture...6" (152mm) Focal length..762mm Focal ratio (photographic speed).f/5 Resolving power..0.74 arc secs Coatings..Meade EMC Super Multi-Coatings Ultra-High Transmission Coating optional Mounting..Die-cast aluminum Input Voltage...12v DC Alignment..German-type equatorial mount Slew Speeds..1x sidereal to 4.5/sec in 9 increments Tripod...Variable-height field tripod Accessories..6 x 30mm finder 1.25" diagonal Super Plssl 26mm eyepiece 1.25" and 2" eyepiece holders Battery pack for 8 D-cell batteries (user-supplied) Autostar Controller Polar Finder Reticle Batteries..Maxell LR41 or equivalent Net telescope weight..26 lbs. Net tripod weight..45 lbs.

Autostar Specifications

Processor...68HC11, 8MHz Flash Memory..1.0MB, reloadable Keypad..20 key alphanumeric Display..2 line, 16 character LCD Backlight...Red LED Utility Light...Yes Coil Cord...24" Database...30,223 objects

Autostar Dimensions

Length..6.56" (16.6cm) Width (LCD end)...3.19" (80cm) Width (Connector end)..2.25" (57cm) Depth...0.81" (21cm) Autostar net weight..1.12 lbs (0.51kg)
Maxell is a trademark of Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.

Inspecting the Optics

A Note About the Flashlight Test: If a flashlight or other high-intensity light source is pointed down the main telescope tube, the view (depending upon the observers 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, giving the appearance of poor quality optics. These items are only seen when a high intensity light is transmitted through lenses or reflected off the mirrors, and can be seen on any high quality optical system, including giant research telescopes. The optical quality of a telescope cannot be judged by the flashlight test;" the true test of optical quality can only be conducted through careful star testing.

Meade Customer Service

If you have a question concerning your LXD75-Series telescope, contact the Meade Instruments Customer Service Department at: Telephone: (949) 451-1450 Customer Service hours are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. In the unlikely event that your LXD75-Series telescope requires factory servicing or repairs, write or call the Meade Customer Service Department first, before returning the telescope to the factory, giving full particulars as to the nature of the problem, as well as your name, address, and daytime telephone number. The great majority of servicing issues can be resolved by telephone, avoiding return of the telescope to the factory. If factory service is required, you will be assigned a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) number prior to return.

Step 6.

Step 8.
Fig. 53: Indicator Light Key for Changing the Polar Mode.
Screws at the back-end of the bracket
APPENDIX E: MOUNTING THE MODEL SC-8 SCHMIDTCASSEGRAIN OPTICAL TUBE
How to Attach the Optical Tube to the Mount The LXD75 model SC-8 Schmidt-Cassegrain assembles and operates identically to all the other LXD75 models equipped with an Autostar handbox, with one exception: the optical tube is attached to the mount with a mounting bracket rather than the cradle ring assembly. The optical tube is shipped with the mounting bracket already attached. To attach the mounting bracket /optical tube assembly to the mount, perform the following steps. 1. 2. Perform steps 1 through 6 as described in HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE, pages 11 and 12. Slide the mounting bracket into the cradle assembly mounting slot. For most applications, set the groove in the bracket next to the cradle locking knob, so that the bolt of the cradle locking knob will enter the groove when the knob is tightened. Tighten both the cradle locking knob and the secondary locking knob to a firm feel. See Fig. 54. If you are using heavy accessories (such as a camera, microfocuser, etc.) on the back end of the tube, you may need to balance the tube differently to keep the tube from drifting downward: Slide the mounting bracket and tube forward, until the screws at the back end of the tray touch the mount. See Figs. 54 and 55. Then tighten the cradle locking knob and the secondary locking knob to a firm feel. Continue the assembly with step 9 as described in HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR TELESCOPE, page12, and complete all the subsequent steps. All other procedures are identical as described earlier in this manual.

Groove Locking Knobs

Fig. 54 Mounting the SC bracket and optical tube to the mount.

Slid e Fo rwa rd

Fig. 55: Adjusting the balance of the optical tube when using heavy accessories.
APPENDIX F: BASIC ASTRONOMY
In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a telescope smaller than your LXD75, turned it skyward instead of looking at the distant trees and mountains. What he saw, and what he realized about what he saw, has forever changed the way mankind thinks about the universe. Imagine what it must have been like being the first human to see moons revolve around the planet Jupiter or to see the changing phases of Venus! Because of his observations, Galileo correctly realized Earth's movement and position around the Sun, and in doing so, gave birth to modern astronomy. Yet Galileo's telescope was so crude, he could not clearly make out the rings of Saturn. Galileo's discoveries laid the foundation for understanding the motion and nature of the planets, stars, and galaxies. Building on his foundation, Henrietta Leavitt determined how to measure the distance to stars, Edwin Hubble gave us a glimpse into the possible origin of the universe, Albert Einstein unraveled the crucial relationship of time and light, and 21st-century astronomers are currently discovering planets around stars outside our solar system. Almost daily, using sophisticated successors to Galileo's telescope, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Telescope, more and more mysteries of the universe are being probed and understood. We are living in the golden age of astronomy. Unlike other sciences, astronomy welcomes contributions from amateurs. Much of the knowledge we have on subjects such as comets, meteor showers, double and variable stars, the Moon, and our solar system comes from observations made by amateur astronomers. So as you look through your Meade LXD75-Series telescope, keep in mind Galileo. To him, a telescope was not merely a machine made of glass and metal, but something far morea window of incredible discovery. Each glimpse offers a potential secret waiting to be revealed. Autostar Glossary Be sure to make use of Autostars Glossary feature. The Glossary menu provides an alphabetical listing of definitions and descriptions of common astronomical terms. Access directly through the Glossary menu or through hypertext words embedded in Autostar. See GLOSSARY MENU, page 27, for more information. Objects in Space Listed below are some of the many astronomical objects that can be seen with your LXD75-Series telescope: The Moon The Moon is, on average, a distance of 239,000 miles (380,000km) from Earth and is best observed during its crescent or half phase when Sunlight strikes the Moons surface at an angle. It casts shadows and adds a sense of depth to the view (Fig. 56). No shadows are seen during a full Moon, causing the overly bright Moon to appear flat and rather uninteresting through the telescope. Be sure to use a neutral Moon filter when observing the Moon. Not only does it protect your eyes from the bright glare of the Moon, but it also helps enhance contrast, providing a more dramatic image.