Meade LX600-ACF 10 inch User Manual - Page 58
AutoStar #497 HANDBOX, Appendix E
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AutoStar #497ApHpAeNnDdiBxOEX Setting Circles Setting circles included with the LX600 ACF models permit the location of faint celestial objects not easily found by direct visual observation. The RA circle (Pg. 10, Fig. 1, 11 and Fig. 20) is located on the top surface of the telescope's drive base. The Declination circle (Fig. 21) is located at the top of the fork tine. With the telescope pointed at the North Celestial Pole, the DEC circle should read 90° (understood to mean +90°). Objects located below the 0-0 line of the DEC circle carry minus Declination coordinates. Each division of the DEC circle represents a 1° increment. The RA circle runs from 0hr to (but not including) 24hr, and reads in increments of 5min. Fig. 20. Section of RA setting circle. Using setting circles requires a developed technique. When using the circles for the first time, try hopping from one bright star (the calibration star) to another bright star of known coordinates. Practice moving the telescope from one easy-to-find object to another. In this way, the precision required for accurate object location becomes evident. Note You may also enter an object's RA and DEC coordinates using the "User: Objects" option of AutoStar II's Object menu. AutoStar II then automatically slews the telescope to the entered coordinates. Note: The RA circle is double-indexed (i.e., there are two series of numbers running in opposite directions around the circumference of the RA circle). The upper series of numbers (increasing counterclockwise) applies to observers located in the Earth's Northern Hemisphere; the lower series of numbers (increasing clockwise) applies to observers located in the Earth's Southern Hemisphere. To use the setting circles to locate an object not easily found by direct visual observation: With the telescope aligned to the Celestial Pole, first look up the celestial coordinates (RA and DEC) of the object in a star atlas. Then loosen the RA lock and move the telescope to read the correct RA of the desired object; lock the RA lock onto the coordinate. Next, move the telescope in Declination to read the correct Declination of the object. If the procedure has been followed carefully, and if the telescope was well-aligned with the pole, the desired object should now be in the telescopic field of a low-power eyepiece. If you do not immediately see the object you are seeking, try searching the adjacent sky area. Keep in mind that, with the 26mm eyepiece, the field of view of the LX600 ACF is about 0.5°. Because of its much wider field, the viewfinder may be of significant assistance in locating and centering objects, after the setting circles have been used to locate the approximate position of the object. Pinpoint application of the setting circles requires that the telescope be precisely aligned with the pole. See PRECISE POLAR ALIGNMENT, page 60. Fig. 21. DEC setting circle. 58 X-Wedge An optional equatorial X-Wedge is required for equatorial (polar) alignment. Note: The Meade X-Wedge is recommended for the 10" to 14" models. The equatorial wedge permits use in an astronomical, or "equatorial" mode. The wedge fits onto the field tripod allowing you to take longer exposure photographs with your LX600 ACF. See the instruction sheet supplied with the wedge for installation and setup information. Note: For almost all astronomical observing requirements, approximate settings of the telescope's latitude and polar axis