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Focusing your Telescope.........................Inside front cover
Quic
k-Start Guide .......................................................... 4
Telescope Features ...................................................... 8
Autostar II Features........................................................13
Getting Started ..............................................................16
P
arts Listing, How to Attach the Tripod ....................16
How to Assemble the Tripod ....................................16
How to Assemble Your Telescope ............................16
To Attach the Mount..............................................16
To Install the Batteries ..........................................16
To Connect Autostar II and Attach the Holder......17
To Attach the Diagonal and Eyepiece ..................17
Mounting and Focusing the Viewfinder ....................18
Observing ......................................................................16
Choosing an Eyepiece..............................................19
F
ocusing the Telescope ............................................19
Observing by Moving the Telescope Manually..........20
Terrestrial Observing ................................................21
Observing Using Arrow Keys....................................21
Slew Speeds ............................................................21
Observe the Moon, Astronomical Observing ..........22
To Track an Object Automatically ..............................22
Moving Through Autostar II’s Menus ........................22
Automatic Alignment ................................................22
Observe a Star Using Automatic Tracking ................24
Go To Saturn, Using the Guided Tour ......................24
Basic Autostar II Operation ............................................26
Autostar II Menu Exercises ......................................26
Navigating Autostar II................................................27
Autostar II Menus ........................................................28
Menu Tree ................................................................28
Objects Menu............................................................29
Event Menu ..............................................................30
Glossary Menu, Utilities Menu..................................31
Setup Menu ..............................................................32
Hot Button Menus ....................................................36
Advanced Autostar II Features ......................................37
Adding Observing Sites ............................................37
Creating User Objects
..............................................
38
Observing Satellites, Landmarks..............................39
Identify ......................................................................40
Browse ......................................................................41
Alternate Alt/Az Alignment Methods ........................42
To Download the Latest Autostar II Software............43
P
eriodic Error Correction ..........................................44
Photography ..................................................................45
Optional Accessories......................................................48
Maintenance
..................................................................
51
Collimation ....................................................................51
Specifications ................................................................54
Appendix A: Equatorial (Polar) Alignment ......................57
Appendix B:
Latitude Char
t ............................................62
Appendix C: How to Create Your Own Guided Tour ......63
Appendix D: Training the Drive ......................................67
Appendix E: The Moon Menu ........................................68
Appendix F: Smart Mount ..............................................69
Appendix G:
Basic Astronom
y
........................................
71
CONTENTS
WARNING!
Never use a Meade
®
RCX400 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 dam-
age 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 tele-
scope or its viewfinder as it is moving.
Children should always have adult supervi-
sion while observing.
Caution: Use care to install batteries in the
orientation indicated by illustration in the bat-
tery slots of the battery holder. 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 batteries void your Meade warranty.
® The name "Meade" and the Meade logo are trademarks
registered with the U.S. Patent Office and in principal coun-
tries throughout the world. "RCX400 " and "AutoStar II" are
tr
ademar
ks of Meade Instruments Corporation.
P
atents:
US 6,304,376
US 6,392,799
US 6,563,636
D 422,610
Patent Pending.
© 2005 Meade Instruments Corporation.