 IMPORTANT NOTICE! Never use a telescope or spotting scope to look at the Sun! Observing the Sun, even for the shortest fraction of a second, will cause irreversible damage to your eye as well as physical damage to the telescope or spotting scope itself. |
There are two equatorial wedges used on Meade LX200 telescopes. Please read
the section, below, that applies to your telescope.
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1. 8" Equatorial Wedge (For 7" and 8" LX200)
The Equatorial Wedge permits use of the 8" LX200 telescope in an astronomical,
or "equatorial," mode. The wedge fits onto the field tripod, described
below, and accepts the base of the 7" or 8" LX200 fork mount.
See Fig. 8.
NOTE: The Meade equatorial wedge is designed solely for use in conjunction
with the Meade field tripod. The wedge should never be used without
the field tripod, e.g. by placing the wedge alone on a table top and then
mounting the telescope on the wedge. The 7" or 8" LX200, placed
onto the equatorial wedge alone without the field tripod attached to the
wedge may become seriously imbalanced, to the point where the telescope
may actually tip over.
The equatorial wedge for the 7" and 8" LX200 telescope is of modern
design, with several important features incorporated to simplify and facilitate
telescope operation. After using the wedge, you will find that the functional
design features included are of very significant value in routine telescope
operations. Features included are:
1. Attachment of the wedge to the field tripod by means of only one manual
knob.
2. Quick azimuth adjustment by loosening the manual knob as described above.
3. Bubble level for rapid tripod/wedge leveling.
4. Etched latitude scale for fast adjustment of the latitude angle.
Figure 8: Equatorial Wedge for 7" and 8" LX200 Telescope
To assemble the equatorial wedge, follow this procedure (note that all required
wedge hardware and manual knobs are shipped within the wedge carton):
1. The wedge consists of two basic parts: the wedge body and the tilt-plate,
as shown in Fig. 8. Attach the tilt-plate to the wedge body by threading
in the four knobs provided. Two knobs, with washers, should be used on each
side of the wedge body so that a total of 4 knobs attach the tilt plate
to the wedge body.
2. Place the wedge onto the field tripod with the central threaded rod of
the tripod fitting through the center hole in the floor of the wedge. Thread
the 2-1/2" diameter manual knob onto the threaded rod of the tripod
and firmly tighten the manual knob.
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a. Azimuth Control
The Azimuth Control for the Meade Equatorial Wedge and Field Tripod is shipped
in a plastic bag and includes the following parts:
1. Azimuth Base (large U shaped piece of aluminum)
2. Azimuth Arm (small T shaped piece of aluminum)
3. 2 - Azimuth Knobs
4. 2 - 8-32 x 1/2" flat-head machine screws
5. 2 - 8-32 x 1" round-head machine screws
To attach the Azimuth Control to your wedge and tripod, follow these steps:
1. Remove the 4 set screws from the wedge and field tripod (which plug the
attachment holes) using a screwdriver.
2. Attach the Azimuth Arm to the Equatorial Wedge using the 2 ea. 8-32 x
1/2" flat-head machine screws.
3. Attach the Azimuth Base to the Field Tripod using the 2 ea. 8-32 x 1"
round-head machine screws.
4. Thread the two Azimuth Adjustment Knobs into the Azimuth Base, until
they just touch the Azimuth Arm.
The Azimuth control is now ready to use. To adjust in Azimuth, loosen the
3" central wedge knob. Rotate the wedge by using the two Azimuth knobs
in a push-pull manner. After positioning the wedge, tighten the central
wedge knob.
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b. Deluxe Latitude Adjuster
The Deluxe Latitude Adjuster (DLA) attaches directly to the Equatorial Wedge
and permits very precise adjustments in latitude angle by the simple turning
of one knob.
The Equatorial Wedge for Meade 7" or 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
is shipped with the main crossbar of the DLA already installed. Loosen the
two socket-head screws that lock the main crossbar in place, to allow the
crossbar to rotate slightly if needed. Thread the long adjustment knob (3,
Fig. 14) into the main crossbar and position
the end of the adjustment knob into the cavity on the underside of the Equatorial
Wedge Tilt-Plate. Tighten the two socket-head screws locking the main crossbar
into place.
The DLA is now ready to use. To make fine latitude adjustments, follow this
procedure:
1. Slightly loosen the knobs (5, Fig. 8),
on each side of the wedge.
2. Turn the DLA's adjustment knob (pressing against the bottom of the tilt-plate),
so that the tilt-plate moves in latitude angle.
3. Re-tighten the two knobs, which were loosened in step 1, above.
NOTE: When installing the tilt-plate to the wedge, note that it is a tight
fit and the sides must generally spread slightly to accept the tilt-plate.
If the main crossbar of the DLA is already tightened into place this will
inhibit your installation of the tilt-plate. You will therefore see that
by releasing the screws on the ends of the DLA crossbar your installation
of the wedge tilt-plate will be facilitated.
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2. SUPERWEDGE (For 10" and 12"LX200)
The Superwedge permits use of the 10" and 12" LX200 telescope
in an astronomical, or "equatorial," mode. The wedge fits onto
the field tripod, described below, and accepts the base of the 10"
and 12" LX200 fork mount. See Fig. 10.
NOTE: The Meade Superwedge is designed solely for use in conjunction
with the Meade field tripod. The Superwedge should never be used without
the field tripod, e.g. by placing the Superwedge alone on a table top and
then mounting the telescope on the wedge. The 10" and 12" LX200,
placed onto the Superwedge alone without the field tripod attached to the
wedge may become seriously imbalanced, to the point where the telescope
may actually tip over.
The Superwedge for the 10" and 12" LX200 telescope is of modern
design, with several important features incorporated to simplify and facilitate
telescope operation. After using the Superwedge for your telescope, you
will find that the functional design features included are of very significant
value in routine telescope operations. Some of these features include:
1. Attachment of the Superwedge to the field tripod by means of only one
manual knob. (For photographic applications with the telescope where extreme
steadiness is required, 3 additional hex-head screws are provided).
2. Quick Azimuth adjustment by loosening the manual knob as described above.
3. Bubble level for rapid tripod/wedge leveling.
4. Etched latitude scale for fast adjustment of the latitude angle.
5. Built-in latitude adjustment control.
Figure 11a: Mounting Superwedge, Figure 11b: Latitude Range Holes
To assemble the Superwedge, follow this procedure (note that all required
wedge hardware and manual knobs are shipped within the wedge carton):
1. Locate the two 8-32 nylon set screws on the rim of the tripod head and
remove them. Attach the tangent arm to the tripod using the supplied 8-32
X 1/2" socket cap screws. (See Fig. 11a.)
2. Push the field tripod threaded rod up so that the threaded rod extends
above the top of the tripod head.
3. Holding the threaded rod in position, place the Superwedge on top of
the tripod head so that the threaded stud extending from the tripod head
passes through the center hole on the wedge floor. Make sure the pin extending
from the bottom of the azimuth thrust bar is positioned in the slot on the
tangent arm (see Fig. 11a).
4. Install the large hand knob/compass onto the threaded stud. Pass the
three 5\16-18 X 1-1/4" button head screws through the clearance slots
on the wedge floor and thread them into the tripod head.
5. The lower tilt plate locking screws (see "A", Fig. 11b) are
installed in the factory to allow the tilt plate to be adjusted for any
latitude greater than 25 degrees and less than 55 degrees. If viewing in
a region with a latitude greater than 55 degrees, move the locking bolts
to the lower mounting holes (see "B", Fig. 11b).
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3. Mounting the Telescope On the Wedge (7", 8", 10", and
12" LX200 Models)
With 7" or 8" LX200 telescopes, three knobs are supplied for mounting
the telescope's drive base to the tilt-plate of the equatorial wedge. With
the 10" and 12" LX200, three socket screws are provided for this
purpose.
Thread one of these knobs (or screws, as appropriate) partially into
the hole on the underside of the drive base, located at the curved-end of
the drive base. See 4, Fig. 12. This knob
or screw should be threaded in about 3 full turns, not fully threaded into
the hole.
Check that the knobs or bolts at the side of the wedge, (5, Fig.
8 or 5, Fig. 10), are firmly tightened
before placing the telescope onto the wedge.
Figure 13: Underside of the Drive Base
Grasping the 2 fork arms of the telescope firmly, with the power panel
towards you, place the telescope onto the tilt plate of the wedge by sliding
the knob (7" and 8" LX200) or screw (10" and 12" LX200)
into the slot at the top of the curved-end of the wedge tilt-plate.
Insert the 2 remaining knobs for the 7" and 8" LX200, or socket
screws for the 10" and 12" LX200, through the underside of the
tilt plate and into the underside of the drive base. Tighten down all 3
knobs or screws to a firm feel. Extreme force is not necessary in
this regard.
The telescope is now fully mounted onto the wedge and field tripod. Adjustments
in wedge latitude angle and/or azimuth orientation may be made with the
telescope in place. Further details on telescope polar alignment see Appendix
B: Equatorial Use.
Figure 14: Telescope on Wedge
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4. Magnetic Compass (for 7", 8" Equatorial Wedge and 10",
12" Superwedge)
The magnetic compass helps the observer to set-up the telescope without
actually seeing the pole star Polaris. This allows setting up before dark
or in locations where the view of Polaris is obstructed. The magnetic compass
has an adjustment to compensate for the local angle of Magnetic Declination.
Note: Magnetic Declination is the difference between Magnetic North (which
the compass shows) and true north (where the telescope should be pointed).
Magnetic Declination should not be confused with the astronomical term "Declination,"
which, when used with "Right Ascension," describes the celestial
coordinate system.
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a. Setting Magnetic Declination
In order to obtain an accurate reading using the compass, you must first
adjust for the Magnetic Declination for your location.
1. First, determine the Magnetic Declination in your area using the Isogonic
Chart (Fig. 15)
2. Squeeze the clear central vial with thumb and index finger of the left
hand.
3. With the right hand, rotate the outer dial until the orienting arrow
(the black arrow painted on the inside clear surface) is lined up with the
desired Magnetic Declination angle on the declination scale. Notice that
East Magnetic Declination is to the right of the "North" position
and West Magnetic Declination is left of the "North" position.
As an example, Fig. 16. shows the correct setting for 16 degrees West Declination,
which covers Providence, Rhode Island.
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b. Compass Installation
The Magnetic Compass is now set for the correct declination angle. To attach
to the Equatorial Wedge, follow these steps:
1. Snap the Magnetic Compass into the 3" diameter wedge attachment
knob (after setting the Magnetic Declination as described above). Position
the compass into the knob so that the 360 degree location on the direction
scale (the "North" position) lines up with one of the nine points
of the knobs. (See Fig. 16.) Press
the compass firmly into the knob.
2. Assemble the Equatorial Wedge onto the Field Tripod as described in the
Instruction Manual using the knob/compass combination to attach the wedge
to the tripod.
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c. Finding True North
The Magnetic Compass is now ready to use. Just follow these simple steps
for a quick and easy azimuth alignment:
1. Loosen the knob/compass slightly. This allows for rotation of the Equatorial
Wedge under the knob/compass (Fig. 17).
The magnetic pointing arrow will point to magnetic north.
2. Rotate the knob/compass so that the magnetic pointing arrow lies directly
over the painted black alignment arrow (painted on the bottom surface of
the compass, Fig. 18). The "North"
position on the direction scale (and the point on the knob/compass) now
point directly north.
3. Rotate the Equatorial Wedge in azimuth (without moving the knob/compass)
until the centerline of the wedge lines up with the point of the knob/compass
(Fig. 19). The centerline of the Equatorial
Wedge now falls directly on the true north line.
4. Tighten the knob/compass, locking the Equatorial Wedge into place.
The Field Tripod and Equatorial Wedge are now pointed directly toward celestial
north, without ever having seen the North Star.
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