A User's Guide to the Meade Lxd55 and Lxd75 Telescopes

by Peston, Martin

• ISBN13: 9780387364896
• ISBN10: 0387364897
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-06-15
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

This book provides a comprehensive introductory guide to "choosing and using" an LXD55 / 75 computer-controlled "Goto" series of telescopes, and is useful for both beginners and more advanced practical amateur astronomers. It also provides a comprehensive guide to using Autostar(TM), the computerized "Goto" handset. There is already a large user-base of these telescopes around the world, but there is as yet no single comprehensive guide commercially available for users to fully get to grips with using the LXD series of telescopes. The manufacturer's manuals are not detailed enough to be of real help to beginners, nor does it provide advanced technical tips and user information to help the experienced astronomer get the best out of these instruments. This guide brings together the information needed to help owners get the best out of their LXD telescopes.

Author Biography

Martin Peston obtained a first-class degree in Astrophysics at QM & Westfield, University of London. He currently works as a Systems Analyst and has been involved in various UK space and defence projects.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
The Goto Revolution	p. 2
To Goto or not to Goto?	p. 2
About This Book	p. 3
Astronomy as a Hobby	p. 5
Introduction	p. 5
The Sky Above Us	p. 6
The Earth in Motion	p. 7
The Celestial Sphere	p. 8
Sky Coordinates	p. 9
Absolute Beginners	p. 11
Back to Basics	p. 11
Naked Eye Observing	p. 12
Finding Your Way Around the Sky	p. 12
Seeing Conditions	p. 18
Recording Your Observations	p. 19
Getting More Information	p. 20
Conclusion	p. 22
Choosing an LXD Telescope	p. 23
Tools of the Trade - Introduction to Telescopes	p. 24
The Refractor	p. 24
The Newtonian Reflector	p. 26
Schmidt-type Telescopes	p. 27
Telescope Tube Essentials	p. 29
Telescope Mounts	p. 31
Telescope Stands and Tripods	p. 34
Personal Factors to Consider when Choosing a Telescope	p. 38
Purpose	p. 38
Quality and Cost	p. 40
Portability	p. 40
The LXD Telescope Series	p. 40
AR-5 and AR-6 Refractors	p. 41
N-6 Newtonian Reflector	p. 41
SN-6, SN-8, SN-10 Schmidt-Newtonian Telescopes	p. 44
SC-8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope	p. 44
Features of the LXD Series	p. 47
Mount Features	p. 48
Conclusion	p. 52
Setting up the Telescope	p. 55
Setup Tasks	p. 56
Assembling the Telescope (ECT: 2 to 3 Hours)	p. 56
Handling the Telescope	p. 57
Balancing the Telescope	p. 60
Polar Viewfinder Alignment	p. 63
Polar Viewfinder Shaft Alignment Test (ECT: 10 Minutes)	p. 64
Aligning the Polar Viewfinder With the RA Shaft	p. 65
The Polar Home Position (ECT: 5 minutes)	p. 67
Aligning the OTA With the RA and Dec axes	p. 68
The LXD Motor Drives	p. 72
Autostar Backlash Compensation Utility (ECT: 15 to 25 Minutes)	p. 74
Physical Motor Alignment (ECT: 45 to 60 Minutes)	p. 74
Tripod Setup (ECT: 5 to 10 Minutes)	p. 80
Finderscope Alignment (ECT: 15 to 30 Minutes)	p. 82
Focuser Adjustments (ECT: 10 to 15 Minutes)	p. 84
Conclusion	p. 85
Polar Alignment and Goto Setup	p. 87
Using Polaris to Find the North Celestial Pole	p. 87
Determining Latitude	p. 89
Aligning the RA Shaft with the North Celestial Pole	p. 89
Tripod Setup	p. 90
Latitude Adjustments	p. 91
Locating Polaris in the Polar Viewfinder	p. 91
Traditional Methods for Polar Aligning	p. 94
Setting up the Goto Facility	p. 98
Easy Align (ECT: 5 Minutes)	p. 99
One Star Alignment (ECT: 5 to 7 Minutes)	p. 99
Two Star Alignment (ECT: 5 to 6 Minutes)	p. 100
Three Star Alignment (ECT: 6 to 7 Minutes)	p. 100
Alignment Setup - Success or Failure?	p. 101
Southern Hemisphere Alignment	p. 102
Non-Goto Operation of the Telescope	p. 102
Conclusion	p. 103
First Night's Observing	p. 105
An Experience to Forget...	p. 105
Location! Location! Where to Observe	p. 106
Equipment! What to Take Out	p. 107
Telescope Setup	p. 108
Slewing the Telescope	p. 109
End of the Night - Packing Up	p. 111
Packing Up in Public Locations	p. 111
Parking the Telescope	p. 111
Sleep Scope	p. 112
Summary	p. 113
Telescope Operations, Abilities and Observing Techniques	p. 115
Observing in Comfort	p. 115
Observing Celestial Objects Across the Meridian	p. 116
How Faint Can You See - Limiting Magnitude	p. 117
How Much Detail Can You See - Resolving Power	p. 118
How Far Can You Zoom - Magnification Power	p. 118
How Much Light from an Object Can You See - The Exit Pupil	p. 119
Observing Techniques	p. 119
Dark Adaptation	p. 119
Averted Vision	p. 120
Telescope Operations	p. 120
Tracking Objects	p. 121
Using the Telescope Without Goto to Find Objects	p. 123
Using Goto to Find Objects	p. 124
The Universe at a Touch of a Button	p. 129
Introduction	p. 129
Guided Tour	p. 129
The Autostar Object Database	p. 130
The Solar System	p. 130
Constellations	p. 145
Stars	p. 145
Deep Sky	p. 147
Using Autostar to Identify Objects	p. 153
Browsing the Autostar Object Database	p. 153
User Object	p. 155
Suggest	p. 155
Summary	p. 155
Connecting to a Personal Computer	p. 157
Introduction	p. 157
Connecting the Autostar to a PC	p. 157
Computer Setup	p. 159
Upgrading the Firmware	p. 160
Other Features of the ASU	p. 162
Autostar Cloning	p. 162
Connecting Autostar to Other Devices	p. 163
Taking Images	p. 165
Traditional Astrophotography	p. 165
Choosing the Right Equipment	p. 165
Choosing the Right Camera Film	p. 166
Astrophotography with an LXD Telescope	p. 167
Digital Imaging	p. 172
Webcam Imaging	p. 173
CCD Imaging	p. 174
Digital Cameras	p. 175
Video Cameras	p. 176
Focusing Tips	p. 177
Image Processing	p. 177
Conclusion	p. 177
Keeping Your Telescope in Peak Condition	p. 179
Collimating Your LXD Telescope for Pin-Sharp Images	p. 179
Testing the Collimation of a Telescope	p. 180
Collimating the AR Refractor (ECT: 1 to 2 Hours)	p. 182
Collimating the SNT (ECT: 1 to 2 Hours)	p. 183
Collimating the SCT (ECT: 1 to 2 Hours)	p. 185
Collimating the N-6 Reflector	p. 187
Collimation Summary	p. 187
Cleaning the Telescope	p. 189
Cleaning the Optics	p. 189
General Maintenance	p. 191
The Ultimate Telescope Tune-up!	p. 192
Storing the Telescope	p. 192
Indoor Storage	p. 193
Storing the Telescope Outdoors	p. 193
Summary	p. 194
Gadgets and Gizmos	p. 195
Introduction	p. 195
Eyepieces	p. 195
Erecting (Terrestrial) Eyepieces and Prisms	p. 197
Barlow Lens	p. 197
Focal Reducer	p. 198
Star Diagonals	p. 198
Finderscopes	p. 199
Filters	p. 199
Filter Wheels	p. 202
Binocular Viewers	p. 203
Tripods	p. 203
Motorized Focusers	p. 203
GPS Add-Ons	p. 203
Bluetooth Connectivity	p. 204
Power Supplies	p. 204
Dew Shields and Heaters	p. 205
Meade #909 Accessory Port Module (APM)	p. 205
Piggyback Camera Mounts	p. 206
LXD Carry Handle	p. 206
Autostar Placeholder	p. 207
Telescope Covers and Cases	p. 207
Summary	p. 208
Where Did It All Go Wrong?	p. 209
Alignment Stars are not in the FOV During Goto Setup Procedure - Alignment Failure is Displayed on the Autostar	p. 210
Objects not Found in the FOV after a Goto is Performed	p. 210
The RA or Dec Axes Do not Turn When Autostar Arrows Keys are Pressed	p. 211
Autostar Displays 'Motor Unit Failure'	p. 211
Poor Tracking and Backlash Problems	p. 211
Text on the Autostar Screen Appears Blurry and Slow to Display	p. 212
Autostar Unexpectedly Reboots	p. 212
The Arrow Markers Located on the Side of Each Axis are not Aligned in Polar Home Position	p. 213
Summary	p. 214
Lists and Charts of Autostar Named Stars	p. 215
Object Lists	p. 229
Autostar Constellation List	p. 229
Autostar Messier Objects List	p. 231
Autostar Caldwell Objects List	p. 234
Annual Meteor Showers	p. 237
Autostar Menu Options	p. 239
References and Further Reading	p. 241
List of Useful Websites	p. 241
LXD Telescope Websites	p. 241
Other Websites and Resources	p. 243
Astronomical Image Information	p. 247
David Kolb Images	p. 247
George Tarsoudis Images	p. 248
Dieter Wolf Images	p. 249
Author's Images	p. 250
Index	p. 251
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