Optics
Click on photos to view full size versions
This is my Meade LXD-55 AR-5 (5" lens) with a
90mm guide scope on top. The guide scope is
used to confirm and adjust the tracking during long
exposures. Some objects are so faint that one
must use a nearby star for guiding. Notice the
open ring design. This allows the guide scope to
be adjusted in other directions.
90mm guide scope on top. The guide scope is
used to confirm and adjust the tracking during long
exposures. Some objects are so faint that one
must use a nearby star for guiding. Notice the
open ring design. This allows the guide scope to
be adjusted in other directions.
The lens of a telescope is
expensive, so protect it at all
costs. And believe me, it costs.
expensive, so protect it at all
costs. And believe me, it costs.
On the far left is the eyepiece for the main
127mm scope, and in the center is the guiding
reticle for the 90mm. At the top is a 50mm
RIGHT Angle Correct Image (Also know as RACI)
finder scope, and at bottom right is a 50mm
finder scope for the 90mm.
127mm scope, and in the center is the guiding
reticle for the 90mm. At the top is a 50mm
RIGHT Angle Correct Image (Also know as RACI)
finder scope, and at bottom right is a 50mm
finder scope for the 90mm.
Extra long dew shields and electric dew
heater straps ward off moisture on the lens
that can cut your night short.
So why not take a rag and wipe it off?
Answer: See photo "Why telescopes are so
expensive."
heater straps ward off moisture on the lens
that can cut your night short.
So why not take a rag and wipe it off?
Answer: See photo "Why telescopes are so
expensive."
The guiding eyepiece (reticle) has etched cross-
hairs lit with an LED light. The chrome knob at
lower right contains the light, batteries, off and on
switch, and dimmer control. Adjustments in
guiding are made to the mount with the hand
controller. Click on the inset box to see a
photograph of the reticle.
hairs lit with an LED light. The chrome knob at
lower right contains the light, batteries, off and on
switch, and dimmer control. Adjustments in
guiding are made to the mount with the hand
controller. Click on the inset box to see a
photograph of the reticle.
The mount has a scope built into it to help
attain correct polar alignment. Polar alignment
is critical to Astro-photography and arugably
one of the most difficult and time consuming
procedures. Click the inset box to see the polar
scope reticle.
attain correct polar alignment. Polar alignment
is critical to Astro-photography and arugably
one of the most difficult and time consuming
procedures. Click the inset box to see the polar
scope reticle.
Using millimeters to calculate magnification,
divide the telescope focal length by the eyepiece
focal length.
divide the telescope focal length by the eyepiece
focal length.
Eyepieces and their magnification
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Changing telescope magnifications is a
simple matter of swapping out eyepieces of
different focal lengths. Eyepiece focal lengths
are measured in millimeters, yet the barrel
diameter is measured in inches. ( This
mismatch is one of the greatest mysteries in
the astronomy world. ) To the right is my
eyepiece collection, plus my color filter set
that I mainly use for planetary enhancement.
simple matter of swapping out eyepieces of
different focal lengths. Eyepiece focal lengths
are measured in millimeters, yet the barrel
diameter is measured in inches. ( This
mismatch is one of the greatest mysteries in
the astronomy world. ) To the right is my
eyepiece collection, plus my color filter set
that I mainly use for planetary enhancement.
click photo
click photo
10" Reflecting telescope
