Meade DS-2000 Instruction Manual
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Meade DS-2000 Instruction Manual

Meade DS-2000 Instruction Manual

Ds-2000 series reflecting and refracting telescopes
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Instruction Manual
DS-2000 Series
Reflecting and Refracting Telescopes
Meade Instruments Corporation
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Summary of Contents for Meade DS-2000

  • Page 1 Instruction Manual DS-2000 Series Reflecting and Refracting Telescopes Meade Instruments Corporation...
  • Page 2 Refracting Telescopes use a large objective lens as their primary light-collecting element. Meade refractors, in all models and apertures, include achromatic (2-element) objective lenses in order to reduce or virtually eliminate the false color (chromatic aberration) that results in the telescopic image when light passes through a lens.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    DS-2000EC users may obtain the #494 Autostar handbox as an optional accessory. See page 40 for more information. ® The name “Meade” and the Meade logo are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent Office and in principal countries throughout the world. All rights reserved.

  • Page 4: Quick-Start Guide

    QUICK-START GUIDE Open the tripod: Remove the tripod from the gift- box 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.
  • Page 5 If you wish to attach the viewfinder, see page 12. If you wish to initialize Autostar, see page 17. If you wish to align the telescope, go to page 19. If you wish to use Autostar to automatically view objects, go to page 20 for some examples.
  • Page 6 Features of the DS-2000 Series telescopes are virtually identical. Certain features of your telescope may look different than, or be positioned slightly different than the one pictured here, but the functionality of the features is the same. (not visible) Fig. 1: DS-2000 Series Telescope.

  • Page 7: Telescope Features

    TELESCOPE FEATURES An important array of features and manual controls facilitates operation of a DS-2000 tele- scope. Be sure to become acquainted with all of these controls before attempting observations through the telescope. Focus Knob - Moves the telescope’s focus drawtube in a finely-controlled motion to achieve precise image focus.
  • Page 8 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. Accessory Tray - Conveniently holds extra eyepieces, Autostar handbox, and other acces- sories when not in use.

  • Page 9: Autostar Features

    Control of the DS-2000AT Series Telescopes is through the operation of the #494 Autostar NOTE: handbox. Nearly all functions of the telescope are accomplished with just a few pushes of DS-2000EC users, Autostar’s buttons. Some of the major features of Autostar are:...
  • Page 10 The GO TO key also allows you to perform a "spiral search." A spiral search is useful many methods used by when the telescope slews to an object, but that object is not visible in the eyepiece after amateur astronomers to help locate stars in the telescope finishes its search.

  • Page 11: Getting Started

    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 Declination (ver- tical) and Right Ascension (horizontal) axes in the astronomical observing mode.

  • Page 12: The Viewfinder

    Improperly installed batteries Fig. 10: Insert eight AA-size void your Meade warranty. Always remove the batteries if they are not to be used batteries inside the battery for a long period of time.

  • Page 13: Aligning The Viewfinder

    During terrestrial observing, where a fully-correctly-oriented image (right-side up and correct left-for-right) is desirable, an optional Meade 45° Erecting Prism (available in either 0.965" or 1.25" format to suit the appropriate Meade tele- scope model) is available. See the "Optional Accessories," page 29, or consult the Meade Telescope Catalog.

  • Page 14: Choosing An Eyepiece

    For example, you may wish to use a 25mm piece's (or a eyepiece with the DS-2000 model DS-2114S. Look up the focal length of the DS-2114S under Barlow's) power or "Specifications: DS-2114S," page 33. The focal length is listed as 1000mm.

  • Page 15: Observing

    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. Loosen the telescope’s tripod base lock knob (26, Fig. 1) and Dec. lock (6, Fig. 1). Move your telescope to observe distant street signs, mountains, trees, and other struc- tures.

  • Page 16: Slew Speeds

    As the Earth rotates beneath the night sky, the stars appear to move from East to West. The speed at which the stars move is called the sidereal rate. You can setup your telescope to move at the sidereal rate so that it automatically "tracks" the stars and other objects in the night sky.

  • Page 17: Alt/Az Home Position

    North Tighten the Dec. lock (Fig. 17) to a firm feel only. Loosen the tripod base lock knob (26, Fig. 1) and turn the telescope horizontally until it points North. See Tighten the tripod base lock knob (26, Fig. 1). Press ENTER.

  • Page 18: Observe A Star Using Automatic Tracking

    Autostar slews the telescope to a first alignment star. The user is asked to ver- ify that the telescope is pointed at the chosen star and then prompted to center the star in the eyepiece. The process is repeated with a second star to complete the alignment.
  • Page 19 Alignment Option Screen - “Setup: Align” displays. Press ENTER. Select Alignment - “Align: Easy” displays. Press ENTER. Set Alt/Az Home Position - Autostar then prompts you to set the telescope in the Alt/Az Alignment home position. To set your telescope in the "Alt/Az" home position (Fig. 16): •...

  • Page 20: Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment

    Earth is rotating beneath the stars. IMPORTANT NOTE telescope. Do not loosen the telescope locks (10 and 26, Fig. 1), or move the base manually, or alignment will be lost. This exercise shows how to select a celestial object (Saturn) for viewing from Autostar’s database.

  • Page 21: Basic Autostar Operation

    SETUP MENU Select Item: Quick, easy alignment Object permits all telescope operations with only a 2-minute setup. Select Item: Setup MEADE MEADE The Universe of Autostar Select Item: Utilities GLOSSARY Select Item: Glossary , page 17, before proceeding with this exercise.

  • Page 22: Entering Numbers And Text Into Autostar

    To Calculate Sunset time: Press the MODE key several times, until “Select Item: Object” is displayed. Press the Scroll Down key once to display the “Event” option in the “Select Item” menu. Press the ENTER key to choose the "Event" option and move down a level. "Event: Sunrise"...

  • Page 23: Menus And Menu Options

    GO TO once to change the second line to the name of the brightest star in the constel- lation. Press GO TO a second time to slew the telescope to that star. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the list of stars in the constellation, from brightest to dimmest.

  • Page 24: Event Menu

    Identify is an exciting feature for an observer who wants to scan the night sky and start explor- ing. After the telescope has been properly aligned, use the Autostar Arrow keys to move about in the sky. Then follow this procedure: IMPORTANT NOTE: Only use the Arrow keys to move the telescope during the Identify procedure.

  • Page 25: Glossary Menu

    Magnification: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is selected, the magnification is calculated. , page 37. To use the Timer, press ENTER, DS-2000 TIPS Observing Considerations • Try to pick an observing site away from street and house lights, and car head- lights.

  • Page 26: Setup Menu

    Park Scope is designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. Next time it is powered up, enter the correct date and time – no alignment is required. Pressing ENTER causes the tele- scope to move to its pre-determined Park position.
  • Page 27 “APPENDIX D: TRAINING THE DRIVE,” page 38, to insure accurate pointing and tracking. Tracking Rate: Changes the speed at which the telescope tracks targets in the sky. Sidereal: The default setting for Autostar; sidereal rate is the standard rate at which stars move from East to West across the sky due to the rotation of the Earth.
  • Page 28 be stored). Scroll through the list of Countries/States. Press ENTER when the site you wish to add displays. Then choose the desired city in the same manner. Delete: Deletes a stored site from the database. Edit: Edits a selected site, including: the name, latitude, longitude, and time zone. Time Zone refers to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time zone shift.

  • Page 29: Optional Accessories

    50mm eyepiece is a highly desirable accessory for all DS-2000 Series Telescopes (except for the DS-2060mm models, which cannot accept large-barrel eyepieces). On the DS-2070, for example, the MH 50mm ocular yields an actual field of view of 2.5° at 14X. On DS-2000 refrac- tors, use with the #937 Diagonal Mirror.

  • Page 30: Caring For Your Telescope

    CARING FOR YOUR TELESCOPE Your DS-2000 telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime of reward- ing observations. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, your telescope will rarely, if ever, require factory servicing. Maintenance guidelines include: Avoid cleaning the telescope’s optics: a little dust on the front surface of the telescope’s...
  • Page 31 Fig. 23. Fig. 24. Fig. 26. Fig. 28. Fig. 25. Fig. 27. Fig. 29.

  • Page 32: Meade Customer Service

    Customer Service hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. In the unlikely event that your DS-2000 telescope requires factory servicing or repairs, write or call the Meade Customer Service Department first, before returning the telescope to the factory, giving full particulars as to the nature of the problem, as well as your name, address, and day- time telephone number.

  • Page 33: Specifications

    SPECIFICATIONS DS-2060 Optical design...Refractor Clear aperture ...60mm Focal length ...700mm Focal ratio ...f/11.7 Resolving power...1.9 arc secs Max power ...200X Mounting...Single-arm, motorized Alt-Az Alignment ...Altazimuth Slew Speeds ...1x sidereal to 5.5°/sec in 9 increments Tripod ...Aluminum, full-length; adjustable w/accessory tray Optical Tube Dimensions ...2.5"...
  • Page 34 DS-2114S Optical design...Reflector Clear aperture ...114mm Focal length ...1000mm Focal ratio ...f/8.8 Resolving power...1.0 arc secs Max power ...325X Mounting...Single-arm, motorized Alt-Az Alignment ...Altazimuth Slew Speeds ...1x sidereal to 5.5°/sec in 9 increments Tripod ...Aluminum, full-length; adjustable w/accessory tray Optical Tube Dimensions ...5.5" x 18" Batteries (user-supplied) ...8 x AA DS-2130 Optical design...Reflector...

  • Page 35: Appendix A: Celestial Coordinates

    (Fig. 31). IMPORTANT NOTE: For almost all astro- nomical observing requirements, approxi- mate settings are acceptable. Do not allow undue attention to precise alignment of the telescope to interfere with your basic enjoyment of the instrument. North Celestial +90 Dec.

  • Page 36: Appendix B: To Find Objects Not In The Database

    Check out your local library, computer store, bookstore, navigate through the CD Roms, Internet, or magazines (such as Sky & Telescope or Astronomy), to find coordinates menus, a more direct of celestial objects. The objects/coordinates you enter become part of your own permanent way to enter coordi- database, called "User Objects."...

  • Page 37: Appendix C: Observing Satellites

    Satellite orbits change and new satellites (including the Space Shuttle) are launched. Visit the Meade website (www.meade.com) approximately once a month to get updated information and instructions on how to download this data to Autostar. If orbital parameters are more than one month old, the satellite pass may not happen at the time predicted by Autostar.

  • Page 38: Appendix D: Training The Drive

    APPENDIX D Training the Drive Train the telescope motors using Autostar. Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any pointing accuracy prob- lems. Fig. 32 depicts the complete Drive Training procedure. Use a terrestrial object, such as a telephone pole or lamp post, to train the drive. Complete this NOTE: exercise once every 3 to 6 months to maintain the highest level of telescope pointing accuracy.

  • Page 39: Appendix E: Electronic Controller (Ds-2000Ec Users Only)

    SORIES Telescope Mounting A mount allows a telescope to move on its axes. All DS-2000 telescopes use an Altazimuth mount- ing. The Electronic Controller is factory pre-set to the Alt/Az mode. Altazimuth (Alt/Az) mounting permits movement of the telescope tube in vertical (altitude) and hor- izontal (azimuth) directions, and is ideal for terrestrial applications and for casual astronomical obser- vation.

  • Page 40: Optional #494 Autostar For Ds-2000Ec Users

    Electronic Controller, do a quick telescope alignment, and you are ready to observe any object in the Autostar’s 1400-object database. Best of all, the Meade Autostar is easy to use. Even the most novice observer will locate dozens of fascinating celestial objects the very first night out. Study Saturn and its ring system; the primary cloud belts of Jupiter as well as its four major satellites;...

  • Page 41: Basic Astronomy

    So as you look through your Meade DS-2000 telescope, keep in mind Galileo. To him, a telescope was not merely a machine made of glass and metal, but something far more—a window through which the beat- ing heart of the universe might be observed.
  • Page 42 (Tip: enter a date in the Date menu and you can determine if a planet(s) will be visible during the night of the entered date by checking its rise and set times). Listed below are the best planets for viewing through the DS-2000 Series.
  • Page 44 ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase in the U.S.A. and Canada. Meade will repair or replace a product, or part thereof, found by Meade to be defective, provided the defective part is returned to Meade, freight-prepaid, with proof of purchase.

This manual is also suitable for:

Ds-2060Ds-2114Ds-2130Ds-2070Ds-2076Ds-2114s ... Show all

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