Peston A User's Guide to the Meade LXD55 and LXD75 Telescopes

1. Auflage 2010
ISBN: 978-0-387-68264-8
Verlag: Springer US
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 256 Seiten

Reihe: The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series

This book offers a comprehensive introductory guide to 'choosing and using' a series LXD55 or LXD75 computer-controlled ('goto') telescope, containing a wealth of useful information for both beginners and more advanced practical amateur astronomers. The manufacturer's manuals are not nearly detailed enough to be of real help to beginners. No other book offers advanced techniques for more experienced LXD series users.

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.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Peston, Martin

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Acknowledgements;6
2;Abbreviations;9
3;Table of Contents
;10
4;CHAPTER ONE Introduction
;16
4.1;The Goto Revolution;17
4.1.1;To Goto or not to Goto?;17
4.2;About This Book;18
5;CHAPTER TWO Astronomy as a Hobby
;20
5.1;Introduction;20
5.1.1;The Sky Above Us;21
5.1.2;The Earth in Motion;22
5.1.3;The Celestial Sphere;23
5.1.4;Sky Coordinates;24
5.2;Absolute Beginners;26
5.2.1;Back to Basics;26
5.2.2;Naked Eye Observing;27
5.2.3;Finding Your Way Around the Sky;27
5.2.3.1;Preparation;27
5.2.3.2;Sky Maps
;28
5.2.3.3;Recognizing the Constellations;28
5.2.3.4;The Milky Way;31
5.2.3.5;The Brightness of Stars;31
5.2.3.6;The Colour of Stars;32
5.2.4;Seeing Conditions;33
5.2.5;Recording Your Observations;34
5.2.6;Getting More Information;35
5.3;Conclusion;37
6;CHAPTER THREE Choosing an LXD Telescope
;38
6.1;Tools of the Trade - Introduction to Telescopes
;39
6.1.1;The Refractor;39
6.1.2;The Newtonian Reflector;41
6.1.3;Schmidt-type Telescopes;42
6.1.3.1;Schmidt-Newtonian;42
6.1.3.2;Schmidt-Cassegrain;43
6.1.4;Telescope Tube Essentials;44
6.1.4.1;Focusers;45
6.1.4.2;Finderscopes;46
6.1.4.3;Telescope Mounts;46
6.1.4.4;Mount Types;47
6.1.4.5;Altazimuth Mounts;47
6.1.4.6;Equatorial Mounts;48
6.1.5;Telescope Stands and Tripods;49
6.1.5.1;Tripod Stands;50
6.1.5.2;Pillar and Pier Stands;52
6.2;Personal Factors to Consider when Choosing a Telescope ;53
6.2.1;Purpose;53
6.2.1.1;Solar System Observing;53
6.2.1.2;Observing Stars;54
6.2.1.3;Deep SIcy Observing;54
6.2.1.4;Image Capturing;54
6.2.1.5;Specialized Observations;54
6.2.2;Quality and Cost;55
6.2.3;Portability;55
6.3;The LXD Telescope Series
;55
6.3.1;AR-5 and AR-6 Refractors;56
6.3.2;N-6 Newtonian Reflector;56
6.3.3;SN-6, SN-8, SN-10 Schmidt-Newtonian Telescopes
;59
6.3.4;SC-8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope;59
6.3.5;Features of the LXD Series;62
6.3.5.1;Optical Tube Assembly Features;62
6.3.6;Mount Features;63
6.3.6.1;Mechanical Features;63
6.3.6.2;Electronic Features;64
6.3.6.3;Autostar;65
6.3.6.4;The LXD Tripod;66
6.4;Conclusion;67
7;CHAPTER FOUR Setting up the Telescope
;69
7.1;Setup Tasks;70
7.1.1;Assembling the Telescope (ECT: 2 to 3 Hours)
;70
7.1.2;Handling the Telescope;71
7.1.3;Balancing the Telescope;74
7.1.3.1;Balancing the AR Refractor, SN Schmidt-Newtonian and N-6 Newtonian Telescopes (ECT: J5 to 25 Minutes)
;74
7.1.3.2;Balancing the SC-8 Schmiclt-eassegrain Telescope (ECT: 10 to 15 Minutes)
;76
7.1.4;Polar Viewfinder Alignment;77
7.1.5;Polar Viewfinder Shaft Alignment Test (ECT: 10 Minutes)
;78
7.1.6;Aligning the Polar Viewfinder With the RA Shaft
;79
7.1.6.1;(ECT: 30 to 45 Minutes)
;79
7.1.7;The Polar Home Position (ECT: 5 minutes)
;81
7.1.8;Aligning the OTA With the RA and Dec axes;82
7.1.8.1;Dec Axis Calibration (ECT: 15 to 20 Minutes)
;83
7.1.8.2;RA Axis Alignment;84
7.1.9;The LXD Motor Drives;86
7.1.9.1;Calibrating the Motors (ECT: 5 Minutes);87
7.1.9.2;Backlash;87
7.1.10;Autostar Backlash Compensation Utility (ECT: 15 to 25 Minutes)
;88
7.1.11;Physical Motor Alignment (ECT: 45 to 60 Minutes)
;88
7.1.11.1;RA and Dec Motor Unit Alignment;88
7.1.11.2;Training the Motors (ECT: 10 Minutes)
;91
7.1.11.3;PEC 'Smart-Drive' Training (ECT: 30 Minutes)
;93
7.1.12;Tripod Setup (ECT: 5 to 10 Minutes)
;94
7.1.12.1;Tripod Ground Placement;94
7.1.12.2;Levelling the Tripod
;95
7.1.13;Finderscope Alignment (ECT: 15 to 30 Minutes)
;96
7.1.14;Focuser Adiustments (ECT: 10 to 15 Minutes)
;98
7.2;Conclusion;99
8;CHAPTER FIVE Polar Alignment and Goto Setup
;100
8.1;Using Polaris to Find the North CelestiaI Pole
;100
8.2;Determining Latitude
;102
8.3;Aligning the RA Shaft with the North Celestial Pole
;102
8.3.1;Tripod Setup;103
8.3.1.1;LXD55 - All Models;103
8.3.1.2;LXD75 - All Models;103
8.3.2;Latitude Adiustments;104
8.3.3;Locating Polaris in the Polar Viewfinder;104
8.3.4;Traditional Methods for Polar Aligning;107
8.3.4.1;Two Star Method;107
8.3.4.2;Drift Method (ECT: 1 Hour)
;110
8.4;Setting up the Goto Facility;111
8.4.1;Easy Align (ECT: 5 Minutes)
;112
8.4.2;One Star Alignment (ECT: 5 to 7 Minutes)
;112
8.4.3;Two Star Alignment (ECT: 5 to 6 Minutes);113
8.4.3.1;Which Stars to Choose;113
8.4.4;Three Star Alignment (ECT: 6 to 7 Minutes)
;113
8.4.5;Alignment Setup - Success or Failure?;114
8.5;Southern Hemisphere Alignment
;115
8.6;Non-Goto Operation of the Telescope
;115
8.7;Conclusion;116
9;CHAPTER SIX First Night's Observing
;117
9.1;An Experience to Forget ...
;117
9.2;Location! Location! Where to Observe
;118
9.3;Equipment! What to Take Out;119
9.4;Telescope Setup;120
9.5;Slewing the Telescope
;121
9.6;End of the Night - Packing Up;123
9.6.1;Packing Up in Public Locations;123
9.6.2;Parking the Telescope;123
9.6.3;Sleep Scope;124
9.7;Summary;125
10;CHAPTER SEVEN Telescope Operations, Abilities and Observing Techniques
;126
10.1;Summary
;126
10.2;Observing Celestial Objects Across the Meridian
;127
10.3;How Faint Can You See - Limiting Magnitude
;128
10.4;How Much Detail Can You See - Resolving Power
;129
10.5;How Far Can You Zoom - Magnification Power
;129
10.6;How Much Light from an Object Can You See - The Exit Pupil
;130
10.7;Observing Techniques
;130
10.7.1;Dark Adaptation
;130
10.7.2;Averted Vision;131
10.8;Telescope Operations
;131
10.8.1;Tracking Obiects;132
10.8.1.1;Sidereal Rate;132
10.8.1.2;Lunar Rate;132
10.8.1.3;Custom Rate;132
10.8.2;Using the Telescope Without Goto to Find Obiects
;134
10.8.3;Using Goto to Find Obiects;135
10.8.3.1;Spiral Searching;136
10.8.3.2;High Precision;136
10.8.3.3;Digital Setting Circles;137
10.8.3.4;Object Synchronization - The Sync Function;138
11;CHAPTER EIGHT The Universe at a Touch of a Button
;139
11.1;Introduction;139
11.1.1;Guided Tour;139
11.2;The Autostar Object Database
;140
11.2.1;The Solar System;140
11.2.1.1;Observing the Sun Safely - Some Very Important Advice
;140
11.2.1.2;The Sun - Solar Observing;141
11.2.1.3;The Moon - Lunar Observing;145
11.2.1.4;Mercury;146
11.2.1.5;Venus;147
11.2.1.6;Earth;148
11.2.1.7;Mars;149
11.2.1.8;Jupiter;150
11.2.1.9;Saturn;151
11.2.1.10;Uranus, Neptune and Pluto;152
11.2.1.11;Asteroids;153
11.2.1.12;Comets;154
11.2.1.13;Events - Meteor Showers;154
11.2.2;Constellations;155
11.2.3;Stars;155
11.2.3.1;Named Stars;155
11.2.3.2;Double Stars;155
11.2.3.3;Variable Stars;156
11.2.3.4;Other Star Catalogs;156
11.2.4;Deep Sky;157
11.2.4.1;Object Catalogs;157
11.2.4.2;Named Objects;158
11.2.4.3;Galaxies;159
11.2.4.4;Nebulas;161
11.2.4.5;Star Clusters;162
11.2.4.6;Exotic Objects;162
11.2.5;Using Autostar to Identify Objects
;163
11.2.6;Browsing the Autostar Object Database
;163
11.2.7;User Object
;165
11.2.8;Suggest;165
11.3;Summary;165
12;CHAPTER NINE Connecting to a Personal Computer
;166
12.1;Introduction;166
12.1.1;Connecting the Autostar to a PC;166
12.1.1.1;The Autostar Serial Port;167
12.1.2;Computer Setup;168
12.1.3;Upgrading the Firmware;169
12.1.3.1;Downloading Firmware Files from the Internet;171
12.1.4;Other Features of the ASU;171
12.1.5;Autostar Cloning;171
12.2;Connecting Autostar to Other Devices
;172
13;CHAPTER TEN Taking Images
;173
13.1;Traditional Astrophotography;173
13.1.1;Choosing the Right Equipment;173
13.1.1.1;Reducing Camera Shake;174
13.1.2;Choosing the Right Camera Film;174
13.1.2.1;Film Sensitivity;174
13.1.2.2;Film Format;175
13.1.2.3;Processing the Film;175
13.1.3;Astrophotography with an LXD Telescope;175
13.1.3.1;Piggyback Astrophotography;176
13.1.3.2;Prime Focus;177
13.1.3.3;Eyepiece Projection;178
13.1.3.4;Afocal Projection;178
13.1.3.5;Guiding Tips for Prime Focus and Eyepiece Projection
;179
13.1.3.6;Taking Pictures - Exposure Settings;180
13.2;Digital Imaging
;180
13.2.1;Webcam Imaging;181
13.2.2;CCD Imaging;182
13.2.3;Digital Cameras;183
13.2.4;Video Cameras;184
13.2.5;Focusing Tips;185
13.2.6;Image Processing;185
13.3;Conclusion;185
14;CHAPTER ELEVEN Keeping Your Telescope in Peak Condition
;187
14.1;Collimating Your LXD Telescope for Pin-Sharp Images
;187
14.1.1;Testing the Collimation of a Telescope;188
14.1.1.1;Star Testing (ECT: 15 Minutes)
;188
14.1.1.2;Collimation Tools;190
14.1.2;Collimating the AR Refractor (ECT: 1 to 2 Hours)
;190
14.1.3;Collimating the SNT (ECT: 1 to 2 Hours);191
14.1.4;Collimating the SCT (ECT: 1 to 2 Hours);193
14.1.5;Collimating the N-6 Reflector;195
14.1.6;Collimation Summary;195
14.2;Cleaning the Telescope;197
14.2.1;Cleaning the Optics;197
14.2.1.1;Cleaning Objective Lens and Corrector Plates;197
14.2.1.2;Cleaning Mirrors;198
14.2.1.3;Eyepiece Cleaning;198
14.3;General Maintenance;199
14.3.1;The Ultimate Telescope Tune-up!;200
14.4;Storing the Telescope;200
14.4.1;Indoor Storage;201
14.4.2;Storing the Telescope Outdoors;201
14.5;Summary;202
15;CHAPTER TWELVE Gadgets and Gizmos
;203
15.1;Introduction;203
15.1.1;Eyepieces;203
15.1.2;Erecting (Terrestrial) Eyepieces and Prisms;205
15.1.3;Barlow Lens;205
15.1.4;Focal Reducer;206
15.1.5;Star Diagonals;206
15.1.6;Finderscopes;207
15.1.7;Filters;207
15.1.7.1;Color Filters;208
15.1.7.2;Light Pollution Filters;209
15.1.7.3;Color Correction Filters;209
15.1.7.4;Polarization Filters;209
15.1.7.5;Nebula Filters;210
15.1.8;Filter Wheels;210
15.1.9;Binocular Viewers;211
15.1.10;Tripods;211
15.1.11;Motorized Focusers;211
15.1.12;GPS Add-Ons;211
15.1.13;Bluetooth Connectivity;212
15.1.14;Power Supplies;212
15.1.15;Dew Shields and Heaters;213
15.1.16;Meade #909 Accessory Port Module (APM);213
15.1.17;Piggyback Camera Mounts;214
15.1.18;LXD Carry Handle;214
15.1.19;Autostar Placeholder;215
15.1.20;Telescope Covers and Cases;215
15.2;Summary
;216
16;CHAPTER THIRTEEN Where Did It All Go Wrong?
;217
16.1;Alignment Stars are not in the FOV During Goto Setup Procedure - Alignment Failure is Displayed on the Autostar (Chapter 5)
;218
16.1.1;Probable Cause and Solution;218
16.2;Objects not Found in the FOV after a Goto is Performed (Chapter 5)
;218
16.2.1;Probable Cause and Solution;218
16.3;The RA or Dec Axes Do not Turn When Autostar Arrows Keys are Pressed (Chapter 4)
;219
16.3.1;Probable Cause and Solution;219
16.4;Autostar Displays 'Motor Unit Failure' (Chapter 4)
;219
16.4.1;Probable Cause and Solution;219
16.5;Poor Tracking and Backlash Problems (Chapters 4 and 11)
;219
16.5.1;Probable Cause and Solution;219
16.6;Text on the Autostar Screen Appears Blurry and Slow to Display
;220
16.6.1;Probable Cause and Solution;220
16.7;Autostar Unexpectedly Reboots;220
16.7.1;Probable Cause and Solution;220
16.8;The Arrow Markers Located on the Side of Each Axis are not Aligned in Polar Home Position (Chapter 4)
;221
16.8.1;Probable Cause and Solution;221
16.9;Summary;222
17;APPENDIX A Lists and Charts of Autostar Named Stars
;223
18;APPENDIX B Object Lists
;236
18.1;B1. Autostar Constellation List;236
18.2;B2. Autostar Messier Objects List
;238
18.3;B3. Autostar Caldwell Objects List
;241
18.4;B4. Annual Meteor Showers
;244
19;APPENDIX C Autostar Menu Options
;245
20;APPENDIX D References and Further Reading
;247
20.1;D.1 List of Useful Websites
;247
20.1.1;LXD Telescope Websites;247
20.1.2;Other Websites and Resources;249
21;APPENDIX E Astronomical Image Information
;252
21.1;E.1 David Kolb Images
;252
21.2;E.2 George Tarsoudis Images;253
21.3;E.3 Dieter Wolf Images;254
21.4;E.4 Author's Images
;255
22;Index;256
23;Other Titles in this Series;260

Leseproben

"CHAPTER TWELVE Gadgets and Gizmos (p. 195-196)

Introduction

No telescope is complete without accessories. There are many available for the LXD series of telescopes and in fact, not just produced by the original manufacturer (i.e. Meade). Many companies have taken it upon themselves to manufacture accessories that enhance the LXD telescope hardware. This chapter provides a general guide to accessories available for your LXDtelescope. The list is by no means exhaustive, and if you want to know more information about buying accessories for telescopes Star Ware by Phil Harrington is a book well worth reading.

Eyepieces

Purchasing an eyepiece is just as important as buying a telescope. The best quality eyepieces tend to be very expensive, some costing more than a quarter of the initial outlay of the telescope. The quality of an image does not solely depend upon the quality of the telescope optics , but also on the quality and type of eyepiece used. Eyepieces come in various types and sizes, ranging from simple designs with a few internal elements to those with a complex array ofelements. The magnification and exit pupil properties depend upon focal length and design type . These are discussed in Chapter 7.

One of the most popular types of eyepieces used by astronomers is the Plossl, It consists of four elements, and is a good all round general purpose eyepiece. The 26 mm eyepiece supplied with every LXD telescope is of Plossl design. A short time ago Meade produced a set of Plossl eyepieces to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. The anniversary kit contains the complete set of Meade Series 4000 Plossl eyepieces ranging from the low power wide field 40 mm eyepiece to the high power 6.4 mm eyepiece (Figure 12.1). The 4000 series has been recently superseded by the superior 5000 series.

Other common types of eyepieces include Kellner, Orthoscopic, Nagler and Zoom. The Kellner eyepiece consists of three elemen ts, has good eye relief and is best used at low to moderate magnifications. They have typical focal lengths of between 40 to 20mm. The Orthoscopic eyepiece consists of four elements and provides excellent sharpness and colour contrast, so are ideal for luna r and planetary work but has a smaller field of view compared to other designs. A disadvantage of orthoscopic eyepieces is that focal lengths 8 mm or smaller, provide pinhole eye relief which hinders viewing of the image.

The Or thoscopic eyepiece design has been superseded with superior, more complex designs which offer wide-field and excellent eye relief for relatively short focal lengths. An example is the Televue Radian eyepiece (Figure 12.2). Zoom eyepieces combine several focal lengths into a single eyepiece design. This is like using several eyepieces at once, altho ugh images tend to be slightly dimmer than fixed focal length eyepieces, due to the large amount of optical elements attenuating the light from the image."