Meade-instruments LX200 ACF Manuel d'utilisateur

Instruction Manual8", 10", 12", 14", 16" LX200®-ACF Advanced Coma-Free Telescopeswith GPS and AutoStar®II Hand Controller

Fig. 2: The AutoStar II Handbox.AUTOSTAR II FEATURES12479J8356KWant to learn more aboutdownloading the latestupdates of AutoStar IIsoftware from the M

The AutoStar II system provides control of virtually every telescope function. The AutoStarII handbox has soft-touch keys designed to have a positive

5 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.8

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

SC Optional Accessory Users: If using any of the optional accessories (suchas the Off-Axis Guider, T-Adapter, etc.; see page 44) with the LX200-ACF SC

Choosing an EyepieceA telescope’s eyepiece magnifies the image formed by the telescope’s main optics.Each eyepiece has a focal length, expressed in mi

Fig. 9: Viewfinder Assembly.CollimationScrewsMounting SlotViewfinderEyepieceTrackFig. 10: Viewfinder collimationscrews and eyepiece.Fig. 11a & 11b

Important Note:Objects appear upside-down and reversed left-for-right when observed in thev i e w f i n d e r. Objects viewedthrough the telescopeeyep

9. Bring the object into focus (see below).Focusing the Eyepiece Using the Microfocuser (16" Model)The L X 2 0 0 - A C Fzero image-shift microfoc

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

WARNING!Never use a Meade®LX200®-ACFTelescope to look at the Sun!Looking at or near the Sun will causeinstant and irreversible damage toyo

5. “Automatic Alignment” displays. The system now performs the following routines(press any AutoStar II key to abort Automatic Alignment; see IMPORTA

6. The telescope now slews to the second alignment star. AutoStar displays “CenterBrightest Star: Press ENTER” displays. Use the Arrow keys to center

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. 14).This means that pressing the Scroll Down key (pg. 10, Fig. 2, 7) cycles

3. Press the ENTER key to choose the “Event” option and move down a level.“Event: Sunrise” is displayed. 4. Press the Scroll Down key on

AUTOSTAR II’s MENUS- 25 -

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

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

Glossary MenuThe Glossary menu provides an alphabetical listing of definitions and descriptions forcommon astronomical terms and AutoStar II functions

Sleep Scope: A power saving option that shuts down AutoStar II and the telescopewithout forgetting its alignment. With “Sleep Scope” selected, press E

Quick-Start Guide ... 4How to Attach the Tripod to the Telescope ... 4Telescop

(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

WReverse L/R: Reverses the functions of the Left and Right Arrow keys forcontrolling the telescope’s motion (i.e., the Right key moves the t

WSoftware: Sends only the basic AutoStar II software. This is useful if one userhas downloaded a new version of AutoStar II software from the Meade we

A D VANCED AUTOSTAR II FEAT U R E SBefore trying out the examples in this section, familiarize yourself with the basicoperations of AutoSt

11. Press MODE. “Site: Edit” displays.12. Using the Arrow keys, scroll to “Site: Select”. The site you have just editeddisplays. Press E

Observing SatellitesIn this procedure, you will prepare your telescope to observe a satellite pass.1. Navigate to the “Object: Satellite” menu option

as those in the Landmark database. Be sure to change this option back to“Astronomical” when you wish to view celestial objects again.3.

In this procedure, you will center an object you wish to have identified by AutoStarII in the telescope eyepiece and use the “Identify” menu to find o

Alternate Alt/Az AlignmentsIf you would rather set up your telescope without using automatic alignment, AutoStarII offers alternative alignment method

Note:AutoStar II locatesalignment stars based onthe date, time, and locationentered. The alignmentstars may change fromnight to night. All that isrequ

24- 4 -It is recommended that you attach the supplied tripod tothe LX200-ACFfor observing. Perform the telescope andAutoStar II setup indoors in the l

Periodic Error Correction (PEC Training)If you wish to perform high-precision astrophotography, you may wish to “train” yourtelescope in order to keep

2Fig. 19: LX200-ACFwith #62 T-Adapter: (1) camera adapter, (2) T-mount, (3) camera body.Fig. 20: Example of vignetting.1PHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL IMAG

Photography with a Digital CameraSome digital cameras present problems for the astrophotographer: Many modelshave lenses that cannot be removed, dif

• Magic Eye software-assisted focusing.• Automatic and manual exposure control from .001 seconds to 1 hour.• Automatically takes multiple exposures.Th

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIESA wide assortment of professional Meade accessories is available for the LX200-ACFtelescope models. The premium quality of th

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

Fig. 30: Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece.errors with an illuminated reticle eyepiece; position corrections can then be effectedusing AutoStar II.Piggybac

MAINTENANCELX200-ACFtelescopes are precision optical instruments designed to yield a lifetime ofrewarding applications. Given the care and respect due

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

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

BatteryCompartment2Remove the covers of the battery compartmentslocated on the fork arms (one on each fork arm) andcarefully lift th

8" f/10 LX200-ACF SpecificationsOptical design ...Advanced Coma-FreeClear aperture...

12" f/10 LX200-ACF SpecificationsOptical design ...Advanced Coma-FreeClear aperture...

16" f/10 LX200-ACF SpecificationsOptical design ...Advanced Coma-FreeClear aperture...

Equatorial AlignmentIn equatorial (or “polar”) Alignment, the telescope is oriented so that the horizontaland vertical axes of the telescope are lined

Fig. 38 Section of Right AscensionSetting Circle.Fig. 37: Declination Setting Circle.Fig. 39a: Equatorial Wedge for 8" LX200-ACF models.Fig. 39b:

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

setting circle and slightly loosen the two bolts located under the knob. Now turn thecircle unit until it reads 89.2°, the Declination of Polaris. The

AutoStar II Polar AlignmentAutoStar II provides three different (manual) methods for polar alignment: Easy, One-Star and Two-Star.Easy Polar Alignment

APPENDIX B: LATITUDE CHARTLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World To aid in the polar alignment procedure (see page 53), latitudes of major citie

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

5Tighten, to a firm feel only, the R.A. and Dec. locks.Remove the dust cover from the end of the telescope tube.Sight along the side of the te

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

PLANET “name”Enter PLANET and then the name of the desired planet in quotes. AutoStar II providesthe user with a description of the selected planet f

“They contain 50,000 to 100,000 stars and are located on the fringes of our “galaxy”.”PICK ONEAUTO SELECT MESSIER 13AUTO SELECT MESSIER 15AUTO SELECT

Train the telescope motors using AutoStar II. Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any pointing accuracyproblems. Fig. 43 depicts the comple

APPENDIX 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 many

APPENDIX F: 16" LX200-ACF FEATURESFigure 45: 16" LX200-ACFComputer Control Panel.16" LX200-ACF Unique FeaturesThe 16" LX200-ACFcon

Caution: Next to the focus assembly are two red slot-head bolts, used only for safety reasons in shipment. Remove these bolts beforeattempti

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

c. 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.

APPENDIX G: 14" LX200-ACF FEATURES14" LX200-ACF Unique FeaturesThe 14" LX200-ACFcontains, for the most part, the same features (covered

TELESCOPE FEATURESAutoStar II Hand Controller.See page 10.(not shown,on left forkarm)Fig. 1: The LX200-ACFTelescope; Computer Control Panel (inset); A

APPENDIX H: DE-ROTATOR ANDMICROFOCUSER ASSEMBLYFor LX200-ACF Telescopes Equiped with a Zero Image-Shift MicrofocuserWhen using a de-rotator, it is imp

APPENDIX I: Smart Mount IntroductionSmart Mount improves the pointing accuracy of your LX200-ACF telescope’s “Go To”system. Despite careful efforts t

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

1. Remove the field tripod from the shipping carton.Stand the tripod vertically with the tripod feetdown and with the tripod still fully

In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a telescope smaller than yourLX200-ACF, turned it skyward instead of looking at the distant

PlanetsPlanets change positions in the sky as they orbit around the Sun. To locate the planetson a given day or month, consult a monthly astronomy mag

14-7206-02 0309 MEADE LIMITED WARRANTYEvery Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corporation (“M

LX200-ACF: YOUR PERSONALWINDOW TO THE UNIVERSEThe Meade LX200-ACFmodels are extremely versatile, high-resolution telescopes.With pushbutton controls,

1#Computer Control Panel (see Fig. 1 inset):A. ON/OFF Switch: Turns the computer control panel and AutoStar II ONor OFF. The red power indicator L