Meade LX200 Instruction Manual

Instruction Manual8", 10", 12", 14", 16" LX200GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes7" LX200GPS Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope

10The Autostar II system provides control of virtually every telescope function. TheAutostar II handbox has soft-touch keys designed to have a positiv

115 SS: Press to display the Solar System library.6 STAR: Press to display the Star library.7 RET (Reticle): Press to display the Reticle Control menu

12Parts ListingGetting the telescope ready for first observations requires only a few minutes. Whenfirst opening the packing box, note carefully the f

13Notes Concerning the Tripod:If the tripod does not seem to extend or collapse easily, do not force thetripod legs in or out. By following the instru

145. Attach Diagonal (or accessories)1.25" Diagonal Prism Users: If using the 1.25" diagonal prism (G, Fig. 6), slidethe 1.25" adapter

15Fig. 11: Viewfinder Assembly.CollimationScrewsMounting SlotViewfinderEyepieceTrackFig. 12: Viewfinder collimation screwsand eyepiece.Fig. 13a &

16OBSERVINGObserving by Moving the Telescope ManuallyIf you wish to observe a distant land object, such as a mountain top or a bird, you canobserve by

179. Bring the object into focus (see below).Focusing the Eyepiece Using the MicrofocuserThe LX200GPS zero image-shift microfocuser (24, Fig. 1) allow

18Observe the MoonPoint your telescope at the Moon (note that the Moon is not visible every night) andpractice using the Arrow keys, the microfocuser

195. A message displays that warns not to look at the Sun. At the end of this message,press the key prompted by Autostar II to signify that the messag

In the Schmidt-Cassegrain design of the Meade 8", 10", 12", 14", and 16" LX200GPS models, light enters from the right,passes

20When the procedure is performed correctly, "Alignment Successful" displays.If Autostar II does not display this message, perform this proc

5. Press MODE to return to the Tour list. Press the Scroll keys to scroll through thelist. Press ENTER when you find the next object you wish to obse

It is important to understand that menu selections are set in a loop (Fig. 16).This meansthat pressing the Scroll Down key (7, Fig. 2) cycles down thr

234. Press the Scroll Down key once to display the "Sunset" option in the Event menu. 5. Press the ENTER key to choose the "Sunset&qu

24SunriseSun TransitSunsetMoonriseMoon TransitMoonsetMoon PhasesNext Full MoonNext New MoonNext 1st QtrNext 3rd QtrMeteor ShowersQuadrantidsLyridsEtc.

25Object MenuAlmost all observing with Autostar II is performed using the Object menu category.(Note: Exceptions include Guided Tour and Landmark Surv

26Identify: An exciting feature for an observer who wants to scan the night sky and startexploring. After the telescope has been properly aligned, use

27Glossary MenuThe Glossary menu provides an alphabetical listing of definitions and descriptions forcommon astronomical terms and Autostar II functio

28Sleep Scope: A power saving option that shuts down Autostar II and the telescopewithout forgetting its alignment. With "Sleep Scope" selec

29(Note that it does not prevent you from performing a manual slew past this limit.)This is useful when you have a camera or other peripheral attached

Quick-Start Guide ... 4Telescope Features ...

30 Reverse L/R: Reverses the functions of the Left and Right Arrow keys for con-trolling the telescope's motion (i.e., the Right key moves the t

31 Software: Sends only the basic Autostar II software. This is useful if one user hasdownloaded a new version of Autostar II software from the Meade

32ADVANCED AUTOSTAR II FEATURESBefore trying out the examples in this section, familiarize yourself with the basic oper-ations of Autostar II describe

3311. Press MODE. "Site: Edit" displays.12. Using the Arrow keys, scroll to "Site: Select." The site you have just edited dis-pl

34Observing SatellitesIn this procedure, you will prepare your telescope to observe a satellite pass.1. Navigate to the "Object: Satellite"

35those in the Landmark database. Be sure to change this option back to"Astronomical" when you wish to view celestial objects again.3. Pres

36In this procedure, you will center an object you wish to have identified by Autostar IIin the telescope eyepiece and use the "Identify" me

37Alternate Alt/Az AlignmentsIf you would rather set up your telescope without using automatic alignment, AutostarII offers alternative alignment meth

383. Set Home Position. Place the telescope in the home position. To Set the Home Position Manually:a. See Figs. 19 and 20, page 37. Loosen the telesc

39Periodic Error Correction If you wish to perform high-precision astrophotography, you may wish to "train" yourtelescope in order to keep o

4QUICK-START GUIDEIt is recommended that you attach the supplied tripod to the LX200GPS for observing. Perform the telescope andAutostar II setup indo

40You may perform through-the-telescope photography with any 35mm camera body witha removable lens. You may connect a camera to a #62 T-Adapter which

41OPTIONAL ACCESSORIESA wide assortment of professional Meade accessories is available for the LX200GPStelescope models. The premium quality of these

42Series 4000 8 - 24mm Zoom Eyepiece: The internal zoom optics of this eyepiecemove on smooth, precisely machined surfaces which maintain optical coll

43Fig. 28: Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece.Fig. 29: #62 T-Adapter.Piggyback Brackets: Piggyback photography is one of the most popular and easiestways to

44MAINTENANCELX200GPS telescopes are precision optical instruments designed to yield a lifetime ofrewarding applications. Given the care and respect d

With the star or hot spot centered, de-focus the image. You will notice that the out offocus star image looks like a ring of light surrounding a dark

46i. As a final check of alignment, examine the star image in focus with the higherpower eyepiece as suggested (j), under good viewing conditions. Th

477" f/15 LX200GPS SpecificationsOptical design...Maksutov-CassegrainClear aperture...

4810" f/10 LX200GPS Specifications Optical design...Schmidt-CassegrainClear aperture...

49Alignment ...Altazimuth Pointing Precision ...2 arc-minutes in

511. Tighten, to a firm feel only, the R.A. and Dec.locks. Remove the dust cover from the end of thetelescope tube.Place the Super Plössl 26mm eyepiec

50Equatorial AlignmentIn equatorial (or "polar") Alignment, the telescope is oriented so that the horizontal andvertical axes of the telesco

51Using setting circles requires a developed technique. When using the circles for thefirst time, try hopping from one bright star (the calibration st

52Lining Up with the Celestial PoleObjects in the sky appear to revolve around the celestial pole. (Actually, celestialobjects are essentially “fixed.

53ting circle and slightly loosen the two bolts located under the knob. Now turn the cir-cle unit until it reads 89.2°, the Declination of Polaris. Th

54Autostar II Polar AlignmentAutostar II provides three different (manual) methods for polar alignment: Easy, One-Star and Two-Star. Easy Polar Alignm

55APPENDIX B: LATITUDE CHARTLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World To aid in the polar alignment procedure (see page 52), latitudes of major cit

56APPENDIX C: CREATEYOUR OWN GUIDED TOURCreating your own Guided Tour can be an extremely useful tool. You can preprogram ascript of objects you wish

57TITLE TEXT USER NGCIC SAO MESSIER CALDWELLPLANET MOON SATELLITE ASTEROIDCOMET LUNAR ECLIPSE METEOR SHOWER DEEP SKYCONSTELLATION STAR LANDMARK DEFIN

58PLANET "name"Enter PLANET and then the name of the desired planet in quotes. Autostar II providesthe user with a description of the select

59PICK ONEAUTO SELECT MESSIER 13AUTO SELECT MESSIER 15AUTO SELECT MESSIER 92AUTO SELECT MESSIER 4AUTO SELECT MESSIER 68AUTO SELECT NGC 1234AUTO SELECT

TELESCOPE FEATURESAutostar II Hand Controller.See page 9.(not shown,on left forkarm)6Fig. 1: The LX200GPS Telescope; Computer Control Panel (inset); A

60Train the telescope motors using Autostar II. Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any pointing accuracyproblems. Fig. 41 depicts the comp

61APPENDIX E: THE MOON MENUThe Moon option of the Object menu allows you to observe the moon in a way neverpossible before. You will be able locate ma

62APPENDIX F: 16" LX200GPS FEATURESFigure 43: 16" LX200GPS Computer Control Panel.16" LX200GPS Unique FeaturesThe 16" LX200GPS con

63Caution: Next to the focus assembly are two red slot-head bolts, usedonly for safety reasons in shipment. Remove these bolts before attempt-ing to t

64To collapse the tripod (after removing the telescope) for storage, follow thesesteps:a. Loosen the tension knob and rotate the spreader bar 60° from

65c. Lock the OTA in place using the four 3/8”-16x3/4” bolts. Thread up the four boltsinto the bottom of the Dec. castings, two on each side. Using th

66APPENDIX G: 14" LX200GPS FEATURES14" LX200GPS Unique FeaturesThe 14" LX200GPS contains, for the most part, the same features (covered

67APPENDIX H: DE-ROTATER ANDMICROFOCUSER ASSEMBLYWhen using a de-rotater, it is important to attach the microfocuser so that it is backedoff slightly

68APPENDIX I: Smart Mount IntroductionSmart Mount improves the pointing accuracy of your LX200GPS telescope's "Go to"system. Despite c

69Permanently Mounted ScopesFor permanently mounted telescopes, it is not necessary to have more than onemodel unless the weight and balance of auxili

LX200GPS: YOUR PERSONALWINDOW TO THE UNIVERSEThe Meade LX200GPS models are extremely versatile, high-resolution telescopes.With pushbutton controls, p

70In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a telescope smaller than yourLX200GPS, turned it skyward instead of looking at the distan

71PlanetsPlanets change positions in the sky as they orbit around the Sun. To locate the plan-ets on a given day or month, consult a monthly astronomy

14-7200-01 10/03 FADVANCED PRODUCTS DIVISIONMeade Instruments CorporationWorld’s Leading Manufacturer of Astronomical Telescopes for the Serious Amate

8B. 12vDC Power Connector: Provides a connection so that the telescopeassembly may be powered from a standard 115v AC home outlet usingthe optional #5

9Fig. 2: The Autostar II Handbox.Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonControl of the LX200GPStelescope models is through the operation of the