Meade DSX User Manual

Instruction Manual

DSX Series Altazimuth Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescopes

Meade Instruments Corporation

Quick-Start Guide .......................................................... 4

Telescope Features ...................................................... 7

Autostar Features .......................................................... 9

Getting Started ..............................................................11

Packing List ..............................................................11

How to Assemble Your Telescope ............................11

The Viewfinder..........................................................12

Focusing the Viewfinder......................................12

Aligning the Viewfinder........................................13

Choosing an Eyepiece ............................................13

Observing ......................................................................15

Observing by Moving the Telescope Manually ........15

Terrestrial Observing ................................................15

Observing Using Autostar's Arrow Keys ..................15

Slew Speeds ............................................................16

Observe the Moon ....................................................16

Astronomical Observing............................................16

To Track an Object Automatically..............................16

Alt/Az Home Position ..........................................17

Moving Through Autostar’s Menus......................17

Initializing Autostar ..............................................17

Observe a Star Using Automatic Tracking ..........18

Easy (Two-Star) Align ..............................................18

Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment ........................................20

One-Star Alt/Az Alignment ........................................20

Go To Saturn ............................................................20

Take a Guided Tour ..................................................20

Basic Autostar Operation................................................21

Autostar Navigation Exercise....................................21

Entering Numbers and Text into Autostar ................22

Navigating Autostar ..................................................22

Adjusting the Speed of a Scrolling Message............22

Menus and Menu Options..............................................23

Complete Autostar Menu Structure ..........................23

Object Menu..............................................................23

Event Menu ..............................................................24

Glossary Menu..........................................................25

Utilities Menu ............................................................25

Setup Menu ..............................................................26

Advanced Autostar Features ........................................30

Advanced Autostar Features..........................................29

Adding Observing Sites ............................................29

How to Create Your Own Guided Tour ....................31

Landmarks ................................................................34

Identify ......................................................................35

Browse......................................................................36

Optional Accessories......................................................37

Caring for Your Telescope ............................................38

Meade Customer Service ........................................38

Specifications ................................................................39

Appendix A: Celestial Coordinates ................................40

Locating the Celestial Pole ......................................40

Appendix B: To Find Objects Not in the Database ........41

Appendix C: Observing Satellites ..................................42

Appendix D: Training the Drive ......................................43

CONTENTS

WARNING!

Never use a Meade®DSX™ Telescope to look at the Sun! 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. Do not point the telescope or its viewfinder at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope or its viewfinder as it is moving.

Children should always have

adult supervision while observing.

CAUTION:

Use care to install batteries as indicated by the battery compartment. Follow battery manufacturer's precautions. Do not install batteries backward or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batteries void your Meade warranty.

If you are anxious to use your DSX Telescope for the first time, before a thorough reading of this instruction manual, see the

QUICK-START GUIDE on

page 4.

"Easy Align" U.S. patent 6,392,799 and other patents pending.

Intelligent Network Architecture to Facilitate Parallel Task Management U.S. patent 6,304,376

QUICK-START GUIDE

1. Open the tripod: Remove the tripod from the giftbox and stand vertically. Gently pull the legs apart to a fully open position. Turn the center tripod lock knob to secure and stabilize the tripod. Tighten to a firm feel. Caution: Make sure you

loosen the tripod lock knob before collapsing the tripod at the end of your viewing session.

2. Attach the mounting arm assembly: Place the mounting arm assembly into the tripod base. Reach underneath and thread the mounting knob through the tripod base and into the mounting arm assembly. Tighten to a firm feel only, do not overtighten. While observing, you may wish to slightly loosen this knob and rotate the mounting arm assembly with attached optical tube around the horizontal axis.

4. Attach the optical tube: Place the base of the optical tube (A) over the slot on the mounting plate (B). Thread the two lock knobs (C) through the slot on the mounting plate and into the screw holes in the base of the optical tube, so that they hold the optical tube loosely; do not tighten the lock knobs at this point. Slide the tube back and forth until you find a position where the tube remains horizontal (i.e., without tipping up and down). Then tighten the lock knobs to a firm feel.

3a. Remove 4 screws from the mounting arm

shaft: Locate the four screws on the mounting shaft. Remove the screws using a "+" (Phillips head) screwdriver. Loosen the Altitude Lock (see Fig. 1a,page 6) and rotate the mounting arm shaft counter-clockwise until it stops. Retighten the Altitude lock.

3b. Next, attach the mounting plate to the

mounting arm. Line up the mounting plate with the mounting arm shaft. Replace the four screws you removed in step #3a into the mating threads as depicted in the diagram #3.

Mounting Arm Shaft

Mounting Plate

9. Sight along the tube: Sight along the side of the telescope's main tube to locate an object. Practice using the Autostar Arrow keys to center an object in the telescope's field of view.

5. Insert the eyepiece: Remove the supplied 26mm eyepiece (D) from its container and place it in the eyepiece holder (E) Tighten the thumbscrew (F) to a firm feel only. Remove the dust cover from the end of optical tube assembly. Use the focus knob (G) to bring objects into focus.

6. Insert batteries: Open the battery compartment by lifting the cover and pulling it away from the drive base.

Remove the battery holder from the compartment and carefully lift the 9v connector out from the compartment. Whenever you replace the batteries, to safeguard the wires, disconnect the 9v connector (H) from the battery holder before removing the batteries.

. Insert eight AA-size batteries into the battery

holder, oriented as shown on the diagram on the battery slots of the battery holder. Connect the 9v connector plug to the battery holder. Carefully replace the battery holder back into the battery compartment. Replace the cover.

7. Connect Autostar: Be certain that the power switch (I) on the computer control panel is in the OFF position. Plug the coil cord of the Autostar Controller into the HBX port (J). Turn on the computer panel; the red LED lights when power is supplied to the panel.

8. Change Speeds:

Press the key prompted by Autostar to accept the Sun warning. You can now use the Arrow keys (K) to slew (move) the telescope up, down, right, or left. To change the telescope’s slew speed, press the Number keys (L). "9" is the fastest speed and "1" is slowest speed. See page 16 for more details.

If you wish to attach the viewfinder, see page 11. If you wish to initialize Autostar, see page 17. If you wish to align the telescope, go to page 18. If you wish to use Autostar to automatically view

objects, go to page 20 for some examples.

Slew Speed:

Fast

. . .

Medium

. . .

Slow

Fig. 1a: DSX Series Telescope.

Fig. 1c (Inset): Computer Control Panel.(A) Handbox port; (B) Power indicator light, (C)

ON switch; (D) Auxiliary port.

A B

Fig. 1b (Inset): (A) Altitude Setting Circle; (B) Altitude Lock

(on opposite side)

(on bottom of base, not visible)

(not visible)

Fig. 1d (Inset): Back view of optical tube.

An important array of features and manual controls facilitates operation of a DSX telescope. Be

sure to become acquainted with all of these controls before attempting observations through the telescope.

b Focus Knob:

Moves the telescope’s focus drawtube in a finely-controlled motion

to achieve precise image focus. Rotate the focus knob clockwise to focus on distant objects, and counterclockwise to focus on nearby objects.

c Eyepiece Holder: Holds the eyepiece in place. d Eyepiece Holder Thumbscrew: Tightens the eyepiece in place. Tighten to a firm feel only. e Eyepiece: Place the supplied eyepiece into the eyepiece holder and tighten in place with

thumbscrew (4, Fig.1d).

f Viewfinder Alignment Screws:Adjust these screws to align the viewfinder. See pages 12

and 13 for more information.

Viewfinder: Provides an easier way to initially sight objects than the main telescope eyepiece which has a narrower field of view.

See page 11 for more information.

h Viewfinder Alignment Bracket: Attaches the viewfinder to the telescope. i

Flip-Mirror Control Knobs:

DSX telescopes include an internal mirror. With the flip-mirror control in the “up” position, as shown in Fig. 1d, light is diverted to the eyepiece. With the flip-mirror control in the “down” position, light proceeds straight out the photo port for photography.

j Altitude Setting Circle and Lock

A) Altitude Setting Circle: Displays Altitude (vertical) coordinates (A, Fig. Ib). B) Altitude Lock: Controls the manual vertical movement of the telescope. Turning

the Altitude lock counterclockwise unlocks the telescope enabling it to be freely tilted by hand on the vertical axis. Turning the Altitude lock clockwise (to a firm feel only) prevents the telescope from being moved manually and engages the vertical motor drive clutch for Autostar operation (B, Fig. Ib).

1) Optical Tube: The main optical component that gathers the light from distant objects and

brings this light to a focus for observation with the eyepiece.

1! Dust Cap (not visible in photo): Pull to remove the dust cap from the front lens of the

telescope.

Note: The dust cap should be replaced and the power turned off to the telescope after each observing session. Verify that any dew that might have collected during the observing session has evaporated prior to replacing the dust cap.

1@ Mount, Mounting Arm and Shaft: Holds the optical tube assembly. Attaches to the tripod

base (15, Fig. 1a).

1# Computer Control Panel (Fig. 1c)

A. Handbox (HBX) Port: Plug the Autostar handboxinto this port. B. LED: The red power indicator light illuminates when power is supplied to the con-

nected handbox and to the telescope’s motor drive.

C. ON Switch: Turns the Computer Control Panel and Autostar ON or OFF.

Note: Always remove the batteries if they are not to be used for a long period of time.

D. Auxiliary (AUX) Port:

Provides connection for current and future Meade

accessories. See

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 37.

1$ Autostar Handbox: See AUTOSTAR FEATURES, pages 8 - 10 for more information. 1% Tripod Base: Holds the mounting arm assembly (12, Fig. 1a) in place. 1^ Base Lock Knob (not visible in photo): Attaches mounting arm assembly to tripod base.

Loosen before moving the optical tube on the horizontal axis. See page 16 for more information.

1& Battery Compartment: Install eight user-supplied AA batteries in this compartment. See

page 11 for more information.

TELESCOPE FEATURES

1* Azimuth Setting Circle: Displays Azimuth (horizontal) coordinates. 1( Tripod Legs: Spread the legs out as far as they will open for a secure viewing platform.

2) Inner Support Struts (3): Make the tripod more secure and stable. 2! Tripod Lock Knob: Tighten to a firm feel to secure tripod legs.

Caution: Loosen the tripod lock knob before collapsing tripod at the end of a viewing session.

2@ Accessory Tra y: Conveniently holds extra eyepieces, Autostar handbox, and other

accessories when not in use.

2# Accessory Tray Attachment Bolts: Attach to wing nuts (not shown) to fasten tray to the

tripod. See page 11 for more information.

Note: It is not necessary to remove the tray each time you collapse the tripod.The tray is designed to be collapsed with the legs.

2$ Tripod Legs Locks (3): Lift the lock up to loosen inner section of a tripod leg and

extend the inner leg to desired height. Press the lock down to lock in place again.

2% Mounting Plate (3): Attaches to optical tube (10, Fig. 1a) and mounting arm (12, Fig.

1a).

Fig. 2:The DSX Autostar Handbox.

b c

d g

h 1!

e f

Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button

Control your DSX system with the standard-equipment Autostar. Nearly all functions of the telescope are accomplished with just a few pushes of Autostar’s buttons. Some of the major features of Autostar are:

• Automatically move the telescope to any of over 30,000 objects stored in the database or manually enter the astronomical coordinates of any celestial object.

• Take a guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the year.

• Download the latest satellite data and software revisions directly from the Meade website (www.meade.com) and share software with other Autostar enthusiasts. (Requires optional #505 AstroFinder™ Software and Cable Connector Kit. See

OPTIONAL

ACCESSORIES,

page 16.)

• Control your DSX with your PC using an RS-232 interface.

• Access a glossary of astronomical terms.

• Calculate which eyepiece to use for optimum viewing of a celestial object.

NOTE: Autostar does not require batteries; the telescope’s batteries supply power to Autostar.

Autostar has soft-touch keys designed to have a positive feel. The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is backlit with a red LED (Light Emitting Diode) for easy viewing in the dark. The backlit display, key arrangement, and sequential database make Autostar extremely user friendly.

b 2-Line LCD Display: Provides an interface between Autostar and the telescope.

• Top line: Lists the primary category or menu item.

• Bottom line: Contains a menu option or information about an object or subject, depending on which function is being performed.

c ENTER Key: Accesses, in a sequential manner, the next menu or data level in the Autostar

database. See

MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR'S MENUS, page 17 and AUTOSTAR’S MENU

AND MENU OPTION DESCRIPTIONS, page 16.

NOTE: If ENTER is pressed for two seconds or more and then released, Autostar emits a beep and “ENTER to Sync” is displayed."ENTER to Sync" is relevant only after the telescope has been aligned and is pointing at an object. If the "ENTER to Sync" feature is accessed by mistake , press MODE to return to the previous screen. See

HIGH PRECISION, page 16, for more details about this feature.

d MODE Key: Returns to the previous menu or data level in the Autostar database until the

top level, “Select Item," is reached. The MODE key is similar to the ESCAPE key on a computer.

NOTE: Pressing MODE while in the “Select Item” level moves Autostar to the topmost screen: “Select Item: Object.”

NOTE: If MODE is pressed and held for two seconds or more , inf ormation about the telescope's status is then available using the Scroll keys (7, Fig. 2), such as:

• Right Ascension and Declination (astronomical) coordinates (see page 16)

• Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizontal) coordinates

• Local Time and Local Sidereal Time (LST), Timer and Alarm Status Press MODE again to return to the previous menu.

e GO TO Key: Slews (moves) the telescope to the coordinates of the currently selected

object. While the telescope is slewing, the operation may be aborted at any time by pressing any key except GO TO. Pressing GO TO again resumes the slew to the object.

f Arrow Keys: Slew the telescope in a specific direction (up, down, left, and right), at any

one of nine different speeds. Speed selection is explained in

SLEW SPEEDS, page 16. The

following functions are also available with the Arrow keys:

• Data Entry: Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to scroll through the letters of the alphabet and numerical digits. The Down Arrow key starts with the letter "A" and the Up Arrow key starts with the digit "9." The Left and Right Arrow keys are used to move the blinking cursor left and right across the LCD display.

AUTOSTAR FEATURES

DEFINITION:

Throughout this manual, you will notice the term "Alt/Az." Alt/Az is frequently used to refer to Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizontal). Alt/Az is just one of many methods used by amateur astronomers to help locate stars in the night sky.

• Alt/Az Alignment:Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to move the telescope

vertically up and down. The Left Arrow key rotates the telescope horizontally counterclockwise, while the Right Arrow key rotates it clockwise.

g Number Keys: Input digits 0 - 9 and changes the slew speeds (see SLEW SPEEDS, page

16). The "0" key also turns on and off the red utility light on the top of the handbox.

h Scroll Keys: Accesses database options within a selected menu. The menu is displayed

on the first line of the screen. Options within the menu are displayed, one at a time, on the second line. Press the Scroll keys to move through the options. Press and hold a Scroll key to move quickly through the options.

The Scroll keys also scroll through the letters of the alphabet and numerical digits.

NOTE: The Scroll Down key and the Down Arrow key move forward through the alphabet & digits (A to Z, 0 to 9). The Scroll Up key and the Up Arrow key move backward (Z to A, 9 to 0).Common symbols are also available in the list.

i ? Key: Accesses the "Help" file. "Help" provides on-screen information on how to

accomplish whatever task is currently active. Hold down the ? key and then follow the prompts on the display to access details of

Autostar functions in the Help feature. The Help system is essentially an on-screen instruction manual.

If you have a question about an Autostar operation, e.g., INITIALIZATION, ALIGNMENT, etc., hold down the ? key and follow the directions that scroll on the second line of the LCD screen. When a word appears in [brackets], press ENTER to access the Autostar Glossary. A definition or more detailed information is displayed. Press MODE to return to the scrolling Autostar Help display.

When satisfied with the Help provided, press MODE to return to the original screen and continue with the chosen procedure.

j Coil Cord Port: Plug one end of the Autostar coil cord into this port (11, Fig. 2) located at

the bottom of the Autostar handbox.

1) Coil Cord: Plug one end of the Autostar coil cord into the HBX port (13A,Fig.1) of the

computer control panel of the telescope.

1! RS-232 Port: Plug an RS-232 cable into Autostar for downloading functions such as

"Download" or "Clone." See page 16 for more details.

1@ Utility Light: Use this built-in red light to illuminate star charts and accessories without

disturbing your eye's adaptation to darkness.

Fasten wingnuts

Fig. 3 Attach Tray to the tripod:Thread the wingnuts to the bolts (bottom view). See facing page.

Fig. 4: Secure the tripod: turn the tripod lock knob. See facing page.

DSX TIPS

Join an Astronomy Club

Attend a Star Party

A fun way to learn more about astronomy is to join an astronomy club. Check your local newspaper, school, library, or telescope dealer to find out if there’s a club in your area.

At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to learn more about observing the sky, to find out where the best observing sites are, and to compare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters, tripods, and so forth.

Often, club members are excellent astrophotographers. Not only will you be able to see examples of their art, but you may even be able to pick up some “tricks of the trade” to try out on your DSX telescope.

Many groups also hold regularly scheduled Star Parties at which you can check out and observe with many different telescopes and other pieces of astronomical equipment. Magazines such as Sky & Telescope and Astronomy print schedules for many popular Star Parties around the United States and Canada.

Packing List

Getting the telescope ready for first observations requires only a few minutes. When first opening the packing box, note carefully the parts listed on your giftbox.

How to Assemble Your Telescope

The telescope attaches directly to the tripod. The telescope in this way is mounted in an “Altazimuth” (“Altitude-Azimuth,” or “vertical-horizontal”) format. The telescope in this configuration moves along the vertical and horizontal axes, corresponding respectively to the Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizontal) axes in the astronomical observing mode.

1. Open the tripod: After removing the field tripod from its shipping carton, stand the tripod vertically, with the tripod feet down and with the tripod still fully collapsed. Gently pull the legs apart to a fully open position.

2. Attach the tray to the tripod: Place the tray (22, Fig. 1) over the inner support strut that contains two bolt holes. Line up the bolts holes on the tray with the bolt holes on the strut. Slide the two included bolts through the top of bolt holes (23, Fig. 1) and tighten the bolts with the included wing nuts on the bottom side of the tray (Fig. 3). Tighten to a firm feel only.

Note: The tray does not have to be removed when you collapse the tripod at the end of a viewing session.

3. Secure the tripod: Turn the center tripod lock knob (Fig. 4) to help stabilize and secure the tripod.

Caution: Make sure that you loosen the tripod lock knob before collapsing the tripod.

4. Attach the mounting arm assembly to the tripod base: First note the three pads in the tripod base (15, Fig. 1) and three pads on the mounting arm assembly (12, Fig. 1). These pads allow the mounting arm assembly to move more easily inside the base.

Place the mounting arm assembly into the tripod base and continue to hold onto the arm assembly. With your other hand, reach underneath the base and thread the mounting lock knob (16, Fig. 1) through the tripod base and into the mounting arm assembly. See Fig. 5. Tighten to a firm feel only; do not overtighten. While observing, you may wish to loosen this knob and rotate the mounting arm assembly and optical tube on the horizontal axis.

5. Remove 4 screws from the mounting arm shaft: Locate the four screws on the mounting shaft. Remove the screws using a "+" (Phillips head) screwdriver. Loosen the Altitude Lock (B, Fig. 1a) and rotate the mounting arm shaft (A, Fig. 6) counter-clockwise until it stops. Retighten the Altitude lock.

Next, attach the mounting plate to the mounting arm. Line up the mounting plate with the mounting arm shaft. Replace the four screws you removed into the mating threads. See Fig. 6.

6. Attach the optical tube: Place the base of the optical tube (A, Fig. 7) over the slot on the mounting plate (B, Fig. 7). Thread the two lock knobs (C, Fig. 7) through the slot on the mounting plate and into the screw holes in the base of the optical tube, so that they hold the optical tube loosely; do not tighten the lock knobs at this point. Slide the tube back and forth until you find a position where the tube remains horizontal (i.e., without tipping up and down). Then tighten the lock knobs to a firm feel.

7. Insert the eyepiece: Remove the supplied 26mm eyepiece from its container and place it in the eyepiece holder (2, Fig. 1d). Tighten the thumbscrew (3, Fig. 1d) to a firm feel only. Use the focus knob (1, Fig. 1d) to bring objects into focus.

8. Attach the viewfinder: Slide the viewfinder into the viewfinder bracket (see Fig. 8). Tighten the four alignment thumbscrews (5, Fig. 1d) to a firm feel to hold the viewfinder in the bracket. The DSX-125 telescope is shipped with an 8 x 25 right angle viewfinder. The DSX-90 is shipped with a straight through 8 x 21 viewfinder.

9. Insert batteries: The telescope’s battery compartment (17, Fig. 1a) is located on top of the drive base. Also, see Fig. 9. Open the battery compartment by lifting the cover and pulling it away from the drive base.

GETTING STARTED

Fig. 6: Attach mounting plate (A) to mounting arm shaft (B).

Fig. 8: Attach the viewfinder to the viewfinder bracket.

Fig. 5: Attach the mount to the tripod base.

Fig. 7: Attach the optical tube to the mounting plate.

Remove the battery holder (2, Fig. 9) from the compartment and carefully lift the 9v connector (3, Fig. 9) out from the compartment. Take care not to accidentally detach the wires of the battery connector from the base. Whenever you replace the batteries, to safeguard the wires, disconnect the 9v connector from the battery holder before removing the batteries.

. Insert eight AA-size batteries into the battery holder, oriented as shown on the diagram on

the battery slots of the battery holder. Connect the 9v connector plug to the battery holder. Carefully replace the battery holder back into the battery compartment. Replace the cover.

CAUTION: Use care to install batter ies as indicated by the battery compartment. Follow battery manufacturer's precautions. Do not install batteries backwards or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batter ies void your Meade warranty. Always remove the batteries if they are not to be used for a long period of time.

14. Connect Autostar: Be certain that the power switch on the computer control panel (C,Fig. 1b) is in the OFF position. Plug the coil cord of the Autostar Controller into the HBX port

(A, Fig. 1b). Turn on the power switch; the red LED lights when power is supplied to the panel. Also see Fig. 10.

NOTE: Autostar does not require batteries; the telescope’s batteries supply power to Autostar.

15. Remove the dust cover: Pull out the dust cover (11, Fig. 1a) from the optical tube assembly (10, Fig. 1a).

Assembly of the basic telescope is now complete.

The Viewfinder

Because the main telescope has a fairly narrow field of view, locating objects directly in the main telescope can sometimes be difficult. The viewfinder (6, Fig. 1a) is a small, wide-field telescope with crosshairs that permits you to more easily locate objects. When the viewfinder and optical tube are aligned to each other, both point to the same position in the sky. An object located in the viewfinder is therefore also positioned within the field of the main telescope. Before aligning the viewfinder to the optical tube, focus the viewfinder.

DSX-90 8 x 21mm Erect-Image Viewfinder:

The 8 x 21mm Erect-Image Viewfinder has 8-power magnification and an aperture of 21mm.

This viewfinder presents a correctly oriented image both up-and-down and left-to-right. DSX-125EC 8 x 25mm Right-Angle Viewfinder:

The 8 x 25mm Right-Angle Viewfinder has 8-power magnification and an aperture of 25mm.

This viewfinder presents a correctly oriented image up-and-down, but is reversed leftfor-right.

Focusing the Viewfinder

The DSX model viewfinders are prefocused at the factory. Individual eye variations may require that the viewfinder be re-focused. To check the focus, point the viewfinder at a distant terrestrial (land) object such as a telephone pole or light pole and look through the viewfinder. If the viewfinder image is not in sharp focus, follow the procedure below that applies to your telescope model.

Fig. 9: Insert eight AA-size batteries inside the battery compartment: (1) Battery compar tment (2) Battery holder (3) 9v connector

Fig. 10: Connect Autostar to the HBX port.

Fig. 11:Viewfinder Installation.

DSX-90 Viewfinder

DSX-125 Right-Angle Viewfinder

DSX-90 Viewfinder

1.Remove the viewfinder by slightly unthreading the four alignment screws (4 and 6, Fig. 12) and slipping it out of the bracket.

2.Loosen the knurled lock-ring (2, Fig. 12) located near the viewfinder’s front lens cell (1, Fig.

12). Unthread this ring (counterclockwise, as seen from the eyepiece-end of the viewfinder) by several turns.

3. Look through the viewfinder and focus on a distant object. Slowly rotate the front lens cell in one direction or the other, until the object appears sharp. One or two rotations of the lens may have a significant effect on image focus.

4.Lock the focus in place by threading the knurled lock-ring clockwise up against the viewfinder’s lens cell.

5.Replace the viewfinder into the viewfinder bracket. Gently tighten the six alignment screws. Proceed with Aligning the Viewfinder.

DSX-125EC Viewfinder

Turn the focus ring (2, Fig. 12) at the base of the viewfinder eyepiece (3, Fig. 12) in either direction until a sharp focus is reached.

Aligning the Viewfinder:

It is recommended that you perform steps 1 through 4 of this procedure during the daytime and step 5 at night.

1. Loosen the tripod base lock knob (16, Fig. 1a) and the Altitude lock (B, Fig. 1b), by turning the lock about one turn counterclockwise, permitting the telescope to move freely on its axes.

2. If you have not already done so, place a low-power (e.g., 26mm) eyepiece in the eyepiece holder of the main telescope (2, Fig. 1d) and point the telescope at an easy-to-find land object (e.g., the top of a telephone pole). Turn the focuser knob (1, Fig. 1d) so that the image is sharply focused. Center the object precisely in the main telescope’s field of view.

3. Re-tighten the tripod base lock knob (16, Fig. 1a) and the Altitude lock (B, Fig. 1b).

4. Then, looking through the viewfinder, turn some or all of the viewfinder’s alignment screws (5, Fig. 1d, also see 4 and 6, Fig 12) until the viewfinder ’s crosshairs point precisely at the same object as centered in the main telescope. The viewfinder is now aligned to the main telescope. The right-hand image in Fig. 13A shows an object centered in the main telescope before the viewfinder (the left-hand image) has been aligned to the main telescope. Fig.13B shows these same images after the viewfinder and main telescope are aligned.

5. Check this alignment on a celestial object, such as the Moon or a bright star, and make any necessary refinements.

Choosing an Eyepiece

A telescope’s eyepiece magnifies the image formed by the telescope’s main optics. Each eyepiece has a focal length, expressed in millimeters, or “mm.” The smaller the focal length, the higher the magnification. For example, an eyepiece with a focal length of 9mm has a higher magnification than an eyepiece with a focal length of 26mm.

NEVER point the telescope

directly at or near the Sun at any time! Observing the Sun, even for the smallest fraction of a second, will result in instant and irreversible eye damage, as well as physical damage to the telescope itself.

Telescope

Viewfinder Eyepiece

A. Not aligned

B. Aligned

Fig. 13: Aligning the viewfinder.

Fig. 12:The Viewfinder assembly. (1) Front lens cell; (2) Knurled lock-ring (DSX-90) or focus ring (DSX-125); (3) Viewfinder eyepiece;(4) Front alignment screws (one not visible in photo); (5) Viewfinder bracket;(6) Rear alignment screws.

DSX-90

DSX-125

Your telescope comes supplied with a low-powered 26mm eyepiece which gives a wide, comfortable field of view with high image resolution.

Low power eyepieces offer a wide field of view, bright, high-contrast images, and eye relief during long observing sessions. To find an object with a telescope, always start with a lower power eyepiece such as a 26mm. When the object is located and centered in the eyepiece, you may wish to switch to a higher power eyepiece to enlarge the image as much as practical for prevailing seeing conditions.

NOTE: Viewing conditions vary widely from night-to-night and site-to-site.

Turbulence in the air, even on an apparently clear night, can distort images. If an image appears fuzzy and ill-defined, back off to a lower power eyepiece for a more well-resolved image.

The power, or magnification of a telescope is determined by the focal length of the telescope and the focal length of the eyepiece being used. To calculate eyepiece power, divide the telescope's focal length by the eyepiece's focal length. For example, you may wish to use a 26mm eyepiece with the DSX-125. Look up the focal length of the DSX-125 under "Specifications: DSX-125," page 39. The focal length is listed as 1900mm.

Telescope focal length divided by Eyepiece focal length = Eyepiece power 1900  26 = 73

The eyepiece power, or magnification is therefore 73X (approximately).

DSX TIPS

Fig. 14: Location of telescope eyepiece.

Fig. 15a & 15b: Jupiter; example of too much magnification.

Too Much Power?

Can you ever have too much power? If the type of power you’re referring to is eyepiece magnification, yes, you can! The most common mistake of the beginning observer is to “overpower” a telescope by using high magnifications which the telescope’s aperture and atmospheric conditions cannot reasonably support. Keep in mind that a smaller, but bright and well-resolved image is far superior to one that is larger, but dim and poorly resolved (see below). Powers above 200X should be employed only under the steadiest atmospheric conditions.

Autostar can calculate the best eyepiece for you to use. Try out the “Eyepiece Calc” feature in the Utilities menu.

Most observers should have three or four additional eyepieces to achieve the full range of reasonable magnifications possible with the DSX telescopes. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 37.

OBSERVING

Observing by Moving the Telescope Manually

If you wish to observe a distant land object, such as a mountain top or a bird, you can observe by merely pointing the telescope and looking through the eyepiece.

1. Loosen the telescope’s tripod base lock knob (16, Fig. 1a) and Altitude lock (B, Fig. 1b).

2. Move your telescope to observe distant street signs, mountains, trees, and other structures. Use your viewfinder to help site-in on an object.

3. Center the object in the viewfinder’s crosshairs and then in the telescope eyepiece. When the object is centered in your eyepiece, remember to re-tighten the base and Altitude locks.

4. Practice focusing objects with the focus knob (1, Fig. 1d).

5. Once you get a feel for how your telescope moves and focuses, try to view something more challenging, like a bird or a distant moving train.

You can also observe stars and objects in the night sky using this method, but note that objects begin to slowly drift across the eyepiece field. This motion is caused by the rotation of the Earth. As you become familiar with the Autostar handbox operation, you can counteract the drift using the automatic tracking feature in the Autostar Setup menu (see

TO TRACK AN OBJECT

AUTOMATICALLY, page 16), or by using Autostar's GO TO capabilities (see GO TO SATURN,

page 20).

Terrestrial Observing

DSX Series Telescopes are excellent high-resolution, terrestrial (land) telescopes. Viewing terrestrial objects requires looking along the Earth's surface through heat waves. These heat waves often cause degradation of image quality. Lower power eyepieces, such as a 26mm eyepiece, magnify these heat waves less than higher power eyepieces. Therefore, lower power eyepieces provide a steadier, higher quality image. If the image is fuzzy or ill-defined, reduce to a lower power eyepiece, where the heat waves do not have such an effect on image quality. Observing in early morning hours, before the ground has built up internal heat, produces better viewing conditions than during late afternoon hours.

Observing Using Autostar's Arrow Keys

You may observe land and astronomical objects using Autostar's Arrow keys to move the telescope.

1. Make sure that the Altitude locks (B, Fig. 1b) and tripod base lock knob (16, Fig. 1a) are secured as described on page 11.

2. Verify that Autostar is properly connected to your telescope. See

HOW

TO ASSEMBLE YOUR

TELESCOPE,

page 11.

3. Flip the telescope power switch to the ON position. The Autostar screen is activated and a copyright message displays briefly, followed by a

short beep. Then Autostar takes a few moments to start up the system.

4. A message displays that warns not to look at the Sun. At the end of this message, press the key prompted by Autostar to signify that the message has been read and understood.

5. The Arrow keys are now activated. Press the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 2) to slew (move) the telescope up, down, right, or left.

6. Press the SPEED/? key (8, Fig. 2) to change the telescope’s slew speed. See

SLEW

SPEEDS

, page 16, for more information.

7. Use the viewfinder (6, Fig. 1d) to locate an object and practice using the Autostar’s Arrow keys to center the object in the telescope eyepiece's field of view.

8. Use the telescope’s focus knob (1, Fig. 1a) to bring the object into focus.

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