User manual MEADE DS-60

[. . . ] ® DS P/N 14-0500-00 06/00 CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Assembly: 60mm and 70mm models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Assembly: 80mm, 90mm, 114mm, and 127mm Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Balancing the Tube in the Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Attaching the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Focusing the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Aligning the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Observing Through the Telescope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Focuser and the Eyepiece-Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Astronomical Observing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Eyepieces and Magnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Barlow Lens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 A Note About Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Collimation of the Telescope's Optical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Questions and Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Appendix 1: Optical Alignment of 114mm and 127mm Models: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Appendix 2: Telescope Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 #490 Manual Slow-Motion Control set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 #492 Dual-Motor Electronic Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 To Install the #492 System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Operating Notes on the #492 Dual-Motor Electronic Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 #493 Autostar Computer Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 To Install the #493 System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Appendix 3: Optional Electronic and Computer Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 #490 Manual Control Set. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 #492 Dual-Motor Electronic Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 #493 Autostar Computer Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 #495 Autostar Handbox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 #497 Autostar Handbox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 ® The name "Meade, " the Meade logo, and "Autostar" are trademarks registered with the U. S. © 2000 Meade Instruments Corporation. -3- 3 2 1 19 4 5 6 9 14 11 18 12 10 16 17 15 7 20 8 21 13 13 13 A -4- Assembly and Operating Instructions for Meade® Digital Electronic Telescope Series 60mm (2. 4"), 70mm (2. 8"), 80mm (3. 1"), 90mm (3. 5") Refracting Telescopes; 114mm (4. 5"), and 127mm (5") Reflecting Telescopes Numbered references are to the figures on the pages of this manual. 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. [. . . ] Maintenance: The objective lenses of Meade DS 60mm through 90mm refracting telescopes and the primary and secondary mirrors of DS 114mm and 127mm reflecting telescopes should be cleaned as infrequently as possible. A little dust on a lens or mirror causes negligible loss of image quality and should not be considered as reason to clean it. If the telescope's dust cover (A-3) is replaced after each observing session, cleaning the optics will rarely be required. When cleaning a lens or mirror does become necessary, use a camel's hair brush or compressed air gently to remove dust. The dew shield (A-19) of 60mm through 90mm refracting telescopes should be removed to access the lens prior to cleaning. questions concerning any Meade DS telescope, accessories, or optional systems should be directed to: Customer Service Dept. , Meade Instruments Corp. , 6001 Oak Canyon, Irvine, California 92618; FAX: (949) 451-1460; Telephone: (949) 451-1450. Do not return a telescope or telescope part to Meade Instruments before calling or writing us first; the great majority of repair situations can be handled without requiring return of the telescope to us. A listing of Meade international distributors is included in the Meade website www. meade. com. 4 3 2 1 5 L 6 - 11 - 2 1 2 3 M 1 2 3 Q 1 2 N 1 2 2 3 R 3 4 5 1 P 2 4 3 S - 12 - Appendix 1: Optical Alignment of 114mm and 127mm Models Meade DS 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, and 90mm refracting telescopes are optically aligned (collimated) at the factory prior to shipment, and it is never necessary to re-collimate the optics of these models. Meade DS 114mm and 127mm reflecting telescope models are also factoryaligned, but may occasionally require re-alignment, particularly if the telescope has received rough handling in shipment. Before using one of these models for the first time, check the alignment of the optics as outlined in this appendix. Good optical alignment is essential for telescope performance, and in any case the alignment procedure is not difficult to follow. L through S: The optical systems of Meade DS reflecting telescopes include the following parts: primary mirror (L-1); secondary mirror (L-2); secondary mirror-holder (L-3); secondary mirror-vanes (L-4 and M1); primary mirror-tilt screws (L-5). Confirm alignment: To confirm optical alignment look down the focuser drawtube (C-11 and P-1) with the eyepiece removed. The edge of the focuser drawtube frames reflections of the primary mirror (P-2), the secondary mirror (P-3), the three ("spider") vanes (P-4) holding the secondary mirror, and the observer's eye (P-5). With the optics properly aligned, all of these reflections appear concentric (centered), as shown in Fig. Any deviation from concentricity of any of these telescope parts with the eye requires adjustments to the secondary mirrorholder (Fig. Secondary mirror-vane adjustments: If the secondary mirror (Q-1) is left or right of center within the drawtube (Q-2), slightly loosen the 3-vane adjustment/lock knobs (M-1) 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 (Q-1) is above- or below-center within the drawtube, thread inward one of the adjustment/lock knobs (M-1) while unthreading another of these knobs. Only make adjustments to two knobs at a time until the secondary mirror appears as in Fig. Secondary mirror-holder adjustments: If the secondary mirror (R-1) is centered in the focuser drawtube (R-2), but the primary mirror is only partially visible in the reflection (R-3), the three "+" (Phillips head) secondary mirror-tilt screws (M-2) should be slightly unthreaded to the point where the secondary mirror-holder (M-3) 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. [. . . ] #493 Autostar Computer Control System: Attached to any Meade DS telescope, the #493 Autostar Computer Control System permits fully automatic motorized location (at 5°/second on both telescope axes) of more than 1400 celestial objects, including the major planets from Mercury to Pluto; all 110 deep-space Messier objects; the finest galaxies, diffuse nebulae, planetary nebulae, and star clusters from the New General Catalog (NGC), the Index Catalog (IC), and the Caldwell catalog; hundreds of stars (double stars, variable stars, SAO stars); 15 periodic comets; 50 earth-orbiting satellites; and more. In addition the Autostar System can perform an automatic GO TO function to any object of known celestial coordinates (Right Ascension and Declination). Enter any of the preceding objects into the Autostar display, press GO TO, and the telescope moves to the object and places it in the telescopic field of view. To install the #493 system: Installation of the #493 system is identical to the procedure described in "To Install the #492 System, " page 15, except for step 4c. [. . . ]