Meade Polaris User Manual
www.meade.com
MEADE INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Polaris Series German Equatorial Telescopes
POLARIS SERIES
WARNING!
Never use a Meade
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 at or near the Sun. Do not look through the
telescope or viewfinder as it is moving. Children should
always have adult supervision while observing.
®
Telescope to look at the Sun!
INTRODUCTION
Your telescope is an excellent beginner’s
instrument, and is designed to observe
objects in the sky. It can be your personal
window to the universe allowing you to see
bright galaxies, planets, stars and more.
The telescope is shipped with the following
parts:
• Optical tube
• German equatorial mount
• Stainless-steel tripod with accessory tray
• Three 1.25” eyepieces:
MA25mm, MA9mm, MA6.3mm
• Red dot viewfinder with bracket
• Slow-motion control cables
• 90 degree erect-image diagonal prism
(Refractors only)
The Polaris Series of telescope includes
optical tubes of different sizes and design.
Some optical tubes use lenses to focus the
incoming light and are called refractors. Other
optical tubes use mirrors to bring the incoming
light to focus and are called reflectors.
The lens or mirror diameter of the telescope
is one of the most important pieces of
information about the telescope. The size of
the lens or mirror, also known as “aperture”,
determines how much detail you will be able
to see in your telescope. The optical tubes
focal length information is also important
and will help later on to calculate the viewing
magnification.
Setting up your telescope involves these
simple steps:
•Setup your tripod
•Attach the accessory tray
•Attach the mount
•Attach the counterweight shaft and
counterweight
•Prepare the mount
•Attach the optical tube to the mount
•Attach the red dot viewfinder
•Attach the eyepiece
Study the picture on the next page(s)
and become acquainted with the parts
of your telescope. Figure 1A shows
a typical reflector telescope whereas
Figure 1B shows a refractor. Then
proceed to “Setup your Tripod.”
1
FIGURE 1A
2
1. Tripod legs
2. Large Equatorial Mount
3. Right Ascension control cable
4. Declination control cable
5. Counterweight(s)
6. Counterweight shaft
7. Counterweight lock knobs
8. Counterweight safety knob
9. Latitude adjustment lock (see Fig. 3)
10. Polar axis (see Fig. 3)
11. Latitude adjustment knob
12. Main optical tube (OTA)
13. Optical tube saddle plate (see Fig. 3)
14. Cradle rings
15. Cradle ring lock knobs
16. Red dot viewfinder bracket mounting
thumbscrews (see Fig 4/5)
17. Focuser
18. Focuser thumbscrew
19. Eyepiece
20. Red dot viewfinder On/Off switch
(see Inset B)
21. Declination axis (see Fig. 3)
22. Right Ascension lock (see Fig. 3)
23. Declination lock (see Fig. 3)
24. Red dot viewfinder
25. Front dust cover (not shown)
Figure 1A: Meade Polaris Reflecting Telescope
Inset A: Accessory Tray
Inset B: Red Dot Viewfinder Assembly.
Inset C: Tripod Leg
26. Eyepiece holder slots (see Inset A)
27. Right Ascension setting circle
28. Declination setting circle
29. Latitude dial (see Fig. 3)
30. Azimuth lock
31. Focus knobs
32. Azimuth base (see Fig. 3)
33. Accessory tray (see Inset A)
34. Red dot viewfinder alignment
screws (see Inset B)
35. Leg brace support (see Inset A)
36. Tripod leg lock knob (see Inset C)
37. Sliding leg extension
(see Inset C)
38. OTA saddle plate lock knob(s) (not
visible)
39. Primary Mirror collimation adjustments (not visible)
40. Camera adapter mounting screw
41. Secondary Mirror collimation adjustments
42. Optional motor drive gear (Large EQ
mount only)
Inset A
Inset B
Inset C
FIGURE 1B
1. Tripod legs
2. Small Equatorial Mount
3. Right Ascension control cable
4. Declination control cable
5. Counterweight(s)
6. Counterweight shaft
7. Counterweight lock knobs
8. Counterweight safety knob
9. Latitude adjustment lock (not visible)
10. Polar axis (see Fig. 3)
11. Latitude adjustment knob
12. Main optical tube (OTA)
13. Optical tube saddle plate (see Fig. 3)
14. 90 Degree Erect-Image Prism
15. 90 Degree Prism Thumb screws
16. Red dot viewfinder bracket mounting
thumbscrews (see Fig 4/5)
17. Focuser
18. Focuser thumbscrew
19. Eyepiece
20. Red dot viewfinder On/Off switch
(see Inset B)
21. Declination axis (see Fig. 3)
22. Right Ascension lock (see Fig. 3)
23. Declination lock (see Fig. 3)
24. Red dot viewfinder
25. Front dust cover (not shown)
Figure 1B: Meade Polaris Refracting Telescope
Inset A: Accessory Tray
Inset B: Red Dot Viewfinder Assembly.
Inset C: Tripod Leg
26. Eyepiece holder slots (see Inset A)
27. Right Ascension setting circle
28. Declination setting circle
29. Latitude dial (see Fig. 3)
30. Azimuth lock
31. Focus knobs
32. Azimuth base (see Fig. 3)
33. Accessory tray
34. Red dot viewfinder alignment
screws (see Inset B)
35. Leg brace support (see Inset A)
36. Tripod leg lock knob (see Inset C)
37. Sliding leg extension
(see Inset C)
38. OTA saddle plate lock knob(s) (not
visible)
39. Dew Shield
Inset A
3
Inset B
Inset C
SETUP YOUR TRIPOD
4
The tripod is the basic support for your
telescope. Its height may be adjusted so that
you can view comfortably. Note: Number in
brackets, e.g., (3), refer to Fig. 1A and 1B
unless noted otherwise. The tripod is shipped
from the factory pre-assembled and needs
only the mount and accessory tray attached.
The accessory tray attaches at the center of
1.Spread the tripod legs out evenly apart.
2. Set the height of your tripod:
a. Rotate and loosen the tripod leg lock
thumbscrew (36) to unlock the sliding leg
extension (37).
b. Slide the inner portion of the leg (37) in or
out to the desired length.
c. Rotate and tighten the leg lock thumbscrew
the tripod legs and is a convenient place to
hold eyepieces and other Meade accessories
while observing, such as the Barlow lens.
To attach, place the hole in the center of the
accessory tray over the attachment point as
shown in Fig 2. Then rotate the tray until the
wings of the tray snap into place on the tripod
leg brace supports.
To remove the tray, rotate the tray so it
unlocks, then remove.
(36) to re-lock the inner tripod leg.
d. Repeat for the other two legs so when
complete, the top of the tripod is level.
ATTACH THE MOUNT
Next, attach the mount body (2) to the tripod
by placing the base of the mount on top of the
ATTACH THE ACCESSORY TRAY
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
tripod. Next, secure the mount to the tripod
Fig. 2
using the large azimuth lock knob (30) at the
top of the tripod. Tighten to a firm feel.
ATTACH THE COUNTERWEIGHT SHAFT
AND COUNTERWEIGHT
1. Thread the counterweight shaft (6) into
the mounts declination axis (21, Fig. 3) until
it stops.
2. Remove the safety knob (8) and set aside.
3. Hold the counterweight (5) firmly in one
hand and slide the counterweight onto the
counterweight shaft (6) so it is about 2” from
the bottom of the shaft.
4. Secure in place by tightening the
counterweight lock knob (7).
5. Thread the safety nut (8) into the
counterweight shaft until tight.
Note: Make sure the safety knob (8) always
remains in place on the shaft. This safety
feature prevents the counterweight from
accidentally falling off the shaft.
PREPARE THE MOUNT
1. Attach the flexible cables (3) and (4).
These cables are secured in place with
a firm tightening of the thumbscrews
located at the attachment ends of each
cable.
2. Tilt the polar axis of the telescope to
roughly a 45° angle with the horizon:
Loosen the latitude adjustment lock (9) so
you can move the mount to the desired
position.
3. Turn the latitude adjusting screw (11)
clockwise until the latitude scale (29) on
the side of the mount reads approximately
45°.
4.Re-tighten the latitude adjustment lock
(9) to secure the mount in place.
ATTACH THE RED DOT VIEWFINDER
An eyepiece (19) has a narrow field of
view. The red dot viewfinder (24) has
a wider field of view, which makes it
easier to locate objects. Once the red
dot viewfinder is aligned to the optical
tube, the red dot can be used to locate
and place objects more easily in the
telescopes eyepiece.
1. Note the two thumbscrews (16, Fig.
4) thread onto two bolts on the optical
tube. Remove the thumbscrews from
the tube.
2. Line up the two holes on the red dot
viewfinder bracket over the two bolts.
Slide the bracket over the bolts with the
viewfinder lens facing the front of the
telescope.
ATTACH THE OPTICAL TUBE TO THE
MOUNT
1. Lay the optical tube saddle plate (13)
onto the top of the mount as shown in
Fig 1.
2. Tighten the ota saddle plate lock
3. Replace the thumbscrews (16) on to
the bolts and tighten to a firm feel.
NOTE: The Polaris 80 and 90 models
use a dovetail to secure the red dot
viewfinder. For these models, slide the
viewfinder bracket into the viewfinder
holder and secure with the single
knob(s) (38) to a firm feel.
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
Fig. 3
5
locking screw (16, Fig 5).
6
Fig. 4
NEVER USE YOUR TELESCOPE
SUN WARNING!
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 TELE-
Fig. 5
SCOPE 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 OB-
SERVING.
to hold the eyepiece securely.
INSERT THE EYEPIECE
(REFLECTOR MODELS ONLY)
1. Slide the MA25mm eyepiece (19) directly
into eyepiece holder on the focuser (17).
2. Tighten the focuser thumbscrew(s) (18)
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
(REFRACTOR MODELS ONLY)
1. First, slide the 90 degree erect image
prism (14, Fig 1B) directly into the focuser
draw tube (17).
2. Tighten the focuser thumbscrew(s) (18) to
hold the 90 degree prism securely.
3. Then, slide the MA25mm eyepiece (19)
directly into 90 degree erect image prism (14,
Fig 1B).
4. Tighten the 90 degree erect image prism
thumbscrew (15, Fig 1B) to hold the eyepiece
securely.
BALANCING THE TELESCOPE
In order for the telescope to move smoothly
on its mechanical axes, it must first be
balanced as follows:
Note: If the counterweight is positioned as
recommended previously then the telescope
is already approximately balanced.
1. Loosen the right ascension lock (22). The
telescope mount will turn freely about the
polar axis. Rotate the telescope about the
polar axis so that the counterweight shaft (6)
is parallel to the ground (horizontal).
2. Loosen the counterweight locking knob
(7) and slide the counterweight (5) along the
shaft (6) until the telescope remains in any
given position without tending to drift up or
down around the polar axis (10).
NOTE: Always re-tighten the counterweight
lock knob (7) before rotating the RA axis
to prevent the counterweight from sliding
unexpectedly. When the telescope is
balanced, proceed to aligning the red dot
viewfinder.
object, such as the Moon or a bright star, and
use the viewfinder’s alignment screws to
make any necessary refinements.
5. When finished, turn off the red dot
viewfinder by rotating the on/off switch(20)
counter-clockwise.
ALIGN THE RED DOT VIEWFINDER
Perform the first part of this procedure
during the daytime and the last step at night.
1. Point the telescope at an easy-to-find land
object such as the top of a telephone pole or
a distant mountain or tower. Look through
the eyepiece and turn the focuser knob (31)
until the image is sharply focused. Center
the object precisely in the eyepiece’s field
of view.
2. Turn on the red dot viewfinder by turning
the on/off switch(20) clockwise.
3. Look through the red dot viewfinder
(24). Turn one or more of the viewfinder’s
alignment screws (34) until the red dot
is precisely over the same object as you
centered in the eyepiece.
4. Check this alignment at night on a celestial
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
UNDERSTANDING CELESTIAL
MOVEMENTS AND COORDINATES
Understanding where to locate celestial
objects and how those objects move across
the sky is the key to enjoying the hobby
of astronomy. Most amateur astronomers
practice “star-hopping” to locate celestial
objects. They use star charts or astronomical
software to identify bright stars and star
patterns as “landmarks” in their search for
Fig. 6
astronomical objects. Another technique
for locating objects is to use the setting
circles that are provided on your
7
telescope.
UNDERSTANDING HOW CELESTIAL
OBJECTS MOVE
Due to the Earth’s rotation, celestial bodies
appear to move from East to West in a curved
path through the skies.
All stars and celestial objects are mapped
onto an imaginary sphere surrounding the
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