How to Change the Slew Speed on a Meade LX90GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

The Autostar controller has nine slew speeds that are directly proportional to the sidereal rate and have been calculated to accomplish specific functions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Meade LX90GPS telescope
• Autostar controller

Adjust Slew Speed

1. Make sure that the declination and right-acsension locks are secured.
2. Verify that Autostar is properly connected to the telescope.
3. Flip the telescope's power switch to the "On" position. The Autostar screen activates and a copyright message displays briefly, followed by a short beep. Autostar then takes a few moments to start up the system.
4. Read the "sun warning" announcement. Press the prompted key to acknowledge that you have seen and understood the message. The arrow keys will then be activated.
5. Use the arrow keys to slew (move) the telescope up, down, right or left.
6. Press a numerical key to change the slew speed.

Tips & Warnings

• There are nine available speeds, which correspond to the Autostar's numerical keys: Key 1 = 1x = 1 x sidereal (0.25 arc-min/sec or 0.004 deg/sec) Key 2 = 2x = 2 x sidereal (0.5 arc-min/sec or 0.008 deg/sec) Key 3 = 8x = 8 x sidereal (2 arc-min/sec or 0.033 deg/sec) Key 4 = 16x = 16 x sidereal (4 arc-min/sec or 0.067 deg/sec) Key 5 = 64x = 64 x sidereal (16 arc-min/sec or 0.27 deg/sec) Key 6 = 128x = 32 arc-min/sec or 0.5 deg/sec Key 7 = 1.5 deg = 90 arc-min/sec or 1.5 deg/sec Key 8 = 3 deg = 180 arc-min/sec or 3 deg/sec Key 9 = Max = 390 arc-min/sec or 6.5 deg/sec
• Speeds 1, 2 and 3 are best used for fine-centering an object in the field of view with a higher-power (9 mm or 12 mm) eyepiece.
• Speeds 4, 5 and 6 allow for centering an object in the field of a low-to-moderate-power eyepiece, such as the standard Super Plössl 26 mm.
• Speeds 7 and 8 are best used for rough centering of an object in the eyepiece.
• Speed 9 moves the telescope quickly from one point in the sky to another.
• Never point the telescope directly into the sun or look at the sun through the telescope.

Who Can Help:

• Find Electrical Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.