Meade Instruments LX200 - Manual (Page 27)

Meade Instruments Corporation - Meade LX200 Instruction Manuals
[ toc ] 2) Library Object Keys
While in any of the 5 main Keypad displays, you can directly access the library objects by using the M,
STAR, or CNGC keys (see Appendix D of this manual for a listing of the 64,359 Object Library). Simply
press an object key, and type in the number of the object desired, followed by ENTER. For example, a
good first object for the first part of the year is M42–the Great Orion Nebula. Press: the M key, the 4 key,
the 2 key, and finally the ENTER key. The display will show data on the object (name, rating, object type,
brightness, and size). Now press GO TO. The telescope will automatically slew to M42.
If the object entered is not above the horizon, the Keypad Hand Controller will display the message
"OBJECT BELOW HORIZON."
Other good first objects (if above the horizon) are any of the M objects, from M1 to M 110, and the planets.
To find a planet enter:
OBJECT LIBRARY PLANET LEGEND
PLANET MERCURY VENUS MARS JUPITER SATURN URANUS NEPTUNE PLUTO
STAR # 901 902 904 905 906 907 908 909
If the planet is too close to the Sun for safe viewing (closer than 15°) the Keypad will display a message to
that effect.
[ toc ] 3) Daytime Slewing
Some amateurs may want to use the slewing feature of the LX200 to locate the planets or other
astronomical objects during the daytime. If not done correctly, this can be very dangerous.
The LX200 "knows" where the planets are in relation to the Sun, but the telescope does not "know" where
the Sun actually is. When the GO TO button is pushed, the telescope will slew to the object by the most
direct route, which may move directly over the Sun. Use extreme caution before using the GO TO feature
of the telescope to locate objects in the daytime! Looking into the telescope or viewfinder, even for the
shortest fraction of a second, with sunlight entering the optics, will cause instant and irreversible eye
damage. The telescope itself may also suffer serious damage if it is pointed at or near the Sun.
A responsible adult should supervise every aspect of telescope operation when children are observing in
the daytime.
Use the following procedure to safely locate objects during the daytime, whether by manual slewing, using
the N,E,W,S keys, or using the GO TO key:
1. Before allowing the telescope to move, place the dust covers on the main telescope and
viewfinder (or remove the viewfinder from the telescope completely). This will keep the Sun's damaging
light out of the telescope should it move across the Sun.
2. Press the GO TO button or manually move the telescope.
3. After the telescope has stopped moving, visually check the telescope's position to be sure it is not
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