Instruction Manual

7" LX200 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope

8", 10", and 12" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes

Meade Instruments Corporation

 NOTE: Instructions for the use of optional accessories
are not included in this manual. For details in this regard,
see the Meade General Catalog.

(2) (1)
(1) (2)
Ray (2) 1/2°
Ray (1)
8.218"
(2)
8.016"
(1) 8.0"
Secondary
8.0" Mirror
Focal
Plane Secondary
Primary Baffle Tube Baffle
Field Stops
Correcting
Primary Mirror Plate

The Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain Optical System (Diagram not to scale)

In the Schmidt-Cassegrain design of the Meade 8", 10", and 12" models, light enters from the right, passes through a thin lens with
2-sided aspheric correction (“correcting plate”), proceeds to a spherical primary mirror, and then to a convex aspheric secondary
mirror. The convex secondary mirror multiplies the effective focal length of the primary mirror and results in a focus at the focal plane,
with light passing through a central perforation in the primary mirror.
The 8", 10", and 12" models include oversize 8.25", 10.375" and 12.375" primary mirrors, respectively, yielding fully illuminated fields-
of-view significantly wider than is possible with standard-size primary mirrors. Note that light ray (2) in the figure would be lost entirely,
except for the oversize primary. It is this phenomenon which results in Meade 8", 10", and 12" Schmidt-Cassegrains having off-axis
field illuminations 10% greater, aperture-for-aperture, than other Schmidt-Cassegrains utilizing standard-size primary mirrors. The
optical design of the 4" Model 2045D is almost identical but does not include an oversize primary, since the effect in this case is small.
LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes now feature new baffle tube designs. These computer-optimized designs incorporate a series
of 7 to 11 (depending on the focal ratio and size of the LX200) internal field-stops to eliminate almost all internal reflections, yielding
the best image contrast available in any Schmidt-Cassegrain available today.

Field Stops

8.25" 7"

Focal
Plane
Primary Baffle Tube
Secondary Baffle

Primary Mirror (f/2.5)

The Meade 7” Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical System (Diagram not to scale)

The Meade 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain design optimizes imaging performance by utilizing a combination of two-sided spherical
meniscus lens (right), a strongly aspheric f/2.5 primary mirror, and a spherical secondary mirror. The convex secondary mirror
multiplies the effective focal length of the primary by a factor of six, resulting in an overall f/15 system at the Cassegrain focus.

The oversize 8.25" primary mirror results in a fully-illuminated (unvignetted) field of view significantly wider than can be obtained with
Maksutov optics incorporating primary mirrors of the same aperture as their meniscus correcting lenses. Computer-optimized primary
and secondary mirror baffles, as well as a sequence of field stops internal to the primary mirror baffle, yield lunar, planetary, stellar,
and deep-space images of uncommonly high contrast and resolution.
 -3-

✵ WARNING! ✵
Never use the LX200 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 damage 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 telescope or its viewfinder as it is moving. Children
should always have adult supervision while observing.

1 18 2

14

3
13

4 6 5

12

10

11
15

16

17

Fig. 1: 8” LX200 Telescope.

Captions for Figure 1

1. Viewfinder Dew Shield 10. Right Ascension Setting Circle
2. Viewfinder Collimation Screws 11. Power Panel
3. Declination (Dec) Setting Circle 12. Keypad Hand Controller
4. Declination Pointer 13. Diagonal Mirror
5. Focus Knob 14. Eyepiece
6. Eyepiece Holder 15. Bubble Level
7. Right Ascension (R.A) Lock 16. Hour Angel (HA) Pointer
8. Right Ascension Slow-Motion Controls 17. Drive Base
9. Right Ascension Vernier Pointer 18. Viewfinder Focus Lock Ring
 -4-
Contents
7" LX200 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
8”, 10”, & 12" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Mode Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

1. What is the LX200? An Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1. Mode 1: Telescope/Object Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
a. Heavy-Duty Mounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 a. Telescope Menu File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
b. Built-In 64,359 Object Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 b. Object Library Menu File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
c. Altazimuth Mode Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2. Mode 2: Coordinates/GO TO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
d. Terrestrial Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 a. Coordinates Menu File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
e. Keypad and Power Panel Functions . . . . . . . . . . . 5 b. GO TO Menu Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2. Standard Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 3. Mode 3: Clock/Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Unpacking and Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4. Mode 4: TIMER/FREQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
1. What You Should Have . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 a. TIMER = Menu Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2. Please Look Everything Over. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 b. FREQ = Menu Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3. Inspecting the Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 5. Mode 5: Keypad Off/Brightness Adjust . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4. Caution: All LX200 Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Magnification and Field of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5. Caution: 10” and 12” LX200 Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1. Magnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6. Keypad Version Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2. Apparent Field and Actual Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Telescope Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Appendix A: Equatorial Wedge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1. The Field Tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1. 8” Equatorial Wedge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
2. Mounting the Viewfinder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 a. Azimuth Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
a. Attaching the Viewfinder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 b. Deluxe Latitude Adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
b. Focusing the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2. Superwedge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
c. Collimating the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3. Mounting the Telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3. Attaching the Diagonal Mirror and Eyepiece . . . . . . . . 8 4. Magnetic Compass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4. Collimation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 a. Setting Magnetic Declination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5. 12” Tube Swing-Through Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 b. Compass Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6. 7” Tube Swing-Through Limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 c. Finding True North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7. Maksutov Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Appendix B: Equatorial Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1. Celestial Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
1. Using the LX200 Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2. Lining Up with the Celestial Pole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2. Using the LX200 in LAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3. Precise Polar Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3. Using the LX200 in ALTAZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Appendix C: Star Library and Star Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
a. Entering Basic Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 1. Alignment Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
b. Location of the Observing Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2. Star Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
c. Local Time and Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
d. Setting Up the Telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Appendix D: Object Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
e. Using the MODE key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 1. The LX200 64,359 Object Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
f. Library Object Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 a. SAO Catalog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4. Star Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 b. UGC Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
a. 1-Star with Known SITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 c. CNGC Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
b. 2-Star with Known SITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 d. IC Catalog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
c. Unknown SITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 e. GCVS Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
d. Which Alignment Method to Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 f. Star Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
g. M (Messier) Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
The LX200 Keypad Hand Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 h. Planet Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
1. ENTER Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2. CNGC Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2. MODE Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3. STAR Catalog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
3. GO TO Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 4. M (Messier) Catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4. Direction Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5. Speed Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Appendix E: Maintaining Your LX200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
6. RET Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 1. Keeping Your Telescope Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
7. FOCUS Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 2. Collimation of the Optical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
8. MAP Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 3. Right Ascension Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
9. Object Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 4. Behind the Power Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.PREV and NEXT Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 5. Factory Servicing and Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

The LX200 Power Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Appendix F: Personal Computer Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

1. ON/OFF Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 1. The RS-232 Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
2. N/S Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 2. LX200 Test Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
3. Ammeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 3. LX200 Command Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4. DEC Motor Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 a. Command Set Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
5. CCD Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 b. General Telescope Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
6. Power 12vDC Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 c. Telescope Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
7. Keypad Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 d. Home Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
8. Reticle Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 e. Library/Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
9. Focuser Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 f. Miscellaneous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
10.RS-232 Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 4. LX200 Demo Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
11. Aux Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Appendix G: LX200 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
 -5-
INTRODUCTION one of 351 alignment stars or any one of 56,050 SAO, UGC, IC
As a new LX200 owner, you are preparing for a journey into the or GCVS objects, press GO TO, and the telescope
universe with the most advanced amateur telescope ever automatically slews, or moves, to the object at up to 8° per sec.,
produced. The advent of this instrument is the culmination of centering it in the main telescope field.
twenty years of innovation and design at Meade Instruments; c. Altazimuth Mode Operation
never before have the features you have in your hands been For all visual observing applications, and for lunar and
available to amateur astronomers: from robotic object location planetary photography, Meade LX200’s may be set up in the
to the revolutionary Smart Drive and the most stable mounting Altazimuth mode. Just attach the telescope’s drive base
structure ever. Your telescope comes to you ready for directly to the tripod, use the fast 1-star alignment procedure,
adventure; it will be your tour guide and traveling companion in and the telescope’s computer actuates 2-axis tracking that
a universe of planets, galaxies, and stars. keeps objects precisely centered in the field, even at high
Meade 8", 10", and 12" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain and 7" powers, during the entire observing session.
Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes are instruments of advanced d. Terrestrial Operation
mirror-lens design for astronomical and terrestrial applications. Meade LX200’s make incredible land-view telescopes. Set the
Optically and mechanically, the 7", 8", 10", and 12" telescope telescope up in the Altazimuth format, activate the Land menu
models are perhaps the most sophisticated and precisely option on the telescope’s computer, and use the keypad to
manufactured telescopes ever made available to the serious track land objects on both axes at any of the same 4 drive
amateur. These telescopes enable the visual astronomer to speeds!
reach out for detailed observations of the Solar System (the
planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Mars) and beyond to distant nebulae, e. Keypad and Power Panel Functions
star clusters, and galaxies. The astrophotographer will find a The multifunction capability of LX200’s includes direct
virtually limitless range of possibilities since, with the precision connection of popular CCD autoguider/imagers; RS- 232 serial
Meade worm-gear motor drive system, long exposure guided interface with a personal computer (PC), allowing the user to
photography becomes not a distant goal, but an achievable perform all of the keypad functions through, or write custom
reality. The capabilities of the instrument are essentially limited telescope software for a PC; brightness level control of an
not by the telescope, but by the acquired skills of the observer illuminated reticle eyepiece from the keypad and including
and photographer. special pulse-mode reticle operation.

The 7", 8", 10", and 12" LX200 are, with the exception of a few 2. Standard Equipment
assembly operations and features, almost identical
a. 7" Model LX200
operationally. Most standard and optional accessories are
lncludes 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube assembly with
interchangeable between the three telescopes. The
EMC super multi-coatings (D = 178mm,
instructions in this manual generally apply to all three
F = 2670mm-f/15); heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-dia. sealed
telescopes; when exceptions to this rule occur, they are clearly
polar ball bearing, quartz-microprocessor-controlled 5.75"
pointed out.
worm gears on both axes; setting circles in RA and Dec;
Important Note: If you are anxious to use your Meade LX200 handheld keypad Electronic Command Center with digital
Telescope for the first time, at the very least be sure to read readout display, permanently-programmable Smart Drive, 9-
TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY (page 7), and QUICK START (page9) speed drive control on both axes, GO TO controller, High-
sections of this manual. Thereafter, we urge you to read the Precision Pointing, and 64,340-object onboard celestial
balance of this manual thoroughly at your leisure, in order that software library; internal tube-cooling fan for rapid image
you may fully enjoy the many features offered by the stabilization; 25 ft. power cord and adapter for telescope
instrument. operation from 115v.AC; 8 x 50mm viewfinder; eyepiece-holder
and diagonal prism (1.25"); Series 4000 SP26mm eyepiece;
1. What Is the LX200? An Overview variable-height field tripod; operating instructions.
Meade LX200 SCT’s mark a new era in telescope technology
for the amateur astronomer, whether beginner or seasoned b. 8" Model LX200
veteran. For the beginner LX200 electronics permit the location lncludes 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly with
and observation of the major planets as well as hundreds of EMC super multi-coatings (D = 203mm, F = 1280mm-f/6.3 or
deep-sky objects the very first night you use the telescope. For 2000mm-f/10); heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-dia. sealed polar
the experienced amateur the telescopes’ pushbutton electric ball bearing, quartz-microprocessor-controlled 5.75" worm
slewing, digital readouts, Smart Drive, and much more open up gears on both axes, and multi-function power panel display on
visual and photographic capabilities heretofore undreamed of. the drive base; manual and electric slow-motion controls on
both axes; setting circles in RA and Dec; handheld keypad
a. Heavy-Duty Mounts Electronic Command Center with digital readout display, PPEC
with 9-speed Dual-Axis Electronics Smart Drive, 9-speed drive control on both axes, GO TO
DC-servo-motor-controlled worm gear drives on both telescope controller, High-Precision Pointing, and 64,340-object onboard
axes permit observatory-level precision in tracking, guiding, celestial software library; 25 ft. power cord and adapter for
and slewing. The 9-speed dual-axis drives cover every possible telescope operation from 115v.AC; 8 x 50mm viewfinder;
contingency of telescope positioning: Press the SLEW button eyepiece-holder and diagonal prism (1.25"); Series 4000
on the keypad controller for rapid motion of the telescope SP26mm eyepiece; variable-height field tripod; operating
across the skies at up to 8 degrees per sec. (6 degrees per sec. instructions.
for the 12" LX200) on both axes simultaneously; once near the
c. 10" Model LX200
target, switch instantly to the FIND speed for centering in the
lncludes 10" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly with
viewfinder at 2 degrees per sec. Observing the object in the
EMC super multi-coatings (D = 254mm, F = 1600mm-f/6.3 or
main telescope, use the CNTR speed (32x sidereal) to place
2500mm-f/10); heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-dia. sealed polar
the object in the center of the field. During long-exposure
ball bearing, quartz-microprocessor-controlled 5.75" worm
astrophotography press the GUIDE button for precise
gears on both axes, and multi-function power panel display on
corrections at 2x sidereal speed.
the drive base; manual and electric slow-motion controls on
b. Built-in 64,359-Object Library both axes; setting circles in RA and Dec; handheld keypad
Enter into the keypad any of the 110 Messier objects, 7,840 of Electronic Command Center with digital readout display, PPEC
the finest NGC objects (galaxies, diffuse or planetary nebulae, Smart Drive, 9-speed drive control on both axes, GO TO
star clusters), one of the 8 major planets from Mercury to Pluto, controller, High-Precision Pointing, and 64,340-object onboard
 -6-
celestial software library; 25 ft. power cord and adapter for As the high intensity light passes through the Schmidt corrector
telescope operation from 115v.AC; 8 x 50mm viewfinder; plate, most of it is transmitted through (about 98%+) while the
eyepiece-holder and diagonal prism (1.25"); Series 4000 rest of the light scatters through the glass. As the light hits the
SP26mm eyepiece; variable-height field tripod; operating mirrored surfaces, most of it is reflected back (about 94%) while
instructions. the rest of it scatters across the coatings. The total amount of
scattered light will be significant, and its effects allow you to see
d. 12" Model LX200
microscopic details that are normally invisible to the unaided
lncludes 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly with
eye. These anomalous details are real, but their combined
EMC super multi-coatings (D = 305mm, F = 3048mm-f/10);
effects will in no way impose limits on the optical performance,
heavy-duty fork mount, with 4"-dia. sealed polar ball bearing,
even under the most demanding observing or imaging criteria.
quartz-microprocessor-controlled 5.75" worm gears on both
axes, and multi-function power panel display on the drive base; 4. Caution: All LX200 Owners
manual and electric slow-motion controls on both axes; setting
CAUTION: Serious damage to the drive gears may
circles in RA and Dec; handheld keypad Electronic Command
result from shock in handling, while transporting or
Center with digital readout display, PPEC Smart Drive, 7-speed
commercially shipping the LX200, should the R.A.
drive control on both axes, GO TO controller, High-Precision
lock (7, Fig. 1), and/or the Dec. lock (2, Fig. 4) be left
Pointing, and 64,340-object onboard celestial software library;
engaged. Always release the locks when storing in the
25 ft. power cord and adapter for telescope operation from
case, or when crating for commercial shipment to
115v.AC; 8 x 50mm viewfinder; 2" diagonal mirror with 1.25"
allow the telescope to give, if the case or crate is
adapter; Series 4000 SP26mm eyepiece; giant field tripod;
sharply jarred or dropped.
foam-fitted carrying case; operating instructions.
Also, the optical and mechanical axes of all LX200
UNPACKING AND INSPECTION telescopes have been carefully aligned at the factory
As you begin to unpack your telescope from its cartons, you will to ensure accurate object pointing. Do not loosen or
probably be interested in setting it up right away; we certainly remove the fork arms or optical tube assembly from
understand your excitement but please take a few minutes to the drive base; the resulting misalignment of the axes
read this page before doing so. You should verify that you have will result in inaccurate slewing of the telescope in the
all the proper equipment, and that it has arrived to you GO TO mode.
undamaged.
5. Caution: 10" and 12" LX200 Owners
We strongly recommend that you keep your original packing
materials. If it should ever become necessary for you to return CAUTION: Do not attempt to turn the focuser knob of
your telescope to the Meade factory for servicing, these will the optical tube until you have read this note!
help ensure that no shipping damage will occur.
NOTE: Next to the base of the focuser you will see a red-
Meade LX200 telescopes supplied to countries outside the colored slotted head bolt. This bolt is used only for safety in
U.S.A. are identical to those offered domestically, with the shipment. Remove this bolt before attempting to turn the
exception of the AC wall adapter. focuser knob. In its place, insert the rubber plug provided as a
1. What You Should Have dust protector (this rubber plug is included with your hardware
package).
Carefully unpack and remove all the telescope parts from their
packing material. Compare each part to the Standard Your focuser is now operational.
Equipment. You may wish to place a check next to each item
as you identify it. These Packing Programs represent the WARNING: The 10" and 12" LX200 should never be
original specifications for this instrument. Each telescope has commercially shipped without this red-colored bolt in
been inspected twice at the factory to confirm the inclusion of place. This is essential during commercial transport
every item. where rough handling may occur. For your personal
transport and storage, you will never have to use this
2. Please Look Everything Over bolt again.
Meade Instruments and your shipper have taken precautions to
ensure that no shipping damage will occur, but if your shipment a. Commercial Reshipment
has suffered severe vibration or impact damage (whether or not To commercially re-ship the telescope, be sure to follow this
the shipping cartons show damage) then it is important that you procedure:
retain all the original packing and contact the shipper to 1. Turn the focuser knob clockwise until it stops. This will
arrange a formal inspection of the package or packages. This bring the primary mirror all the way back in the tube.
procedure is required prior to any warranty servicing by Meade
Instruments. 2. Remove the rubber plug and insert the red-headed bolt.
Thread it in to a firm snug feel. Do not overtighten. (If you
3. Inspecting the Optics have misplaced the red-headed bolt, you may use any
Note on the “Flashlight” Test: If a flashlight or other high- other bolt that is 1/4-20x1" long.
intensity light source is pointed down the main telescope tube, 3. When packaging the 10" or 12" LX200, be sure to release
you may at first be shocked at the appearance of the optics. To the R.A. lock (7, Fig. 1), and Dec. lock (2, Fig. 4), to
the uninitiated, the view (depending on your line of sight and prevent shock to the gears in the motor assemblies should
the angle the light is coming from) may reveal what would the package suffer severe handling.
appear to be scratches, dark or bright spots, or just generally
uneven coatings, giving the appearance of poor surface quality. Please note that commercial shipment of the 10" and 12"
These effects are only seen when a high intensity light is LX200 Telescope without the safety bolt in place and packed in
transmitted through lenses or reflected off the mirrors, and can the original factory supplied shipping containers as described
be seen on any high quality optical system, including the giant above is done at the owner’s risk and your warranty may be
research telescopes in use today. It should be pointed out, voided if shipping damage results.
however, that optical quality cannot be judged by this grossly 6. Keypad Version Number
misleading “test”, but through careful star testing. The The current keypad version is 3.20 (see sticker on back of
Flashlight Test causes even the very best optics to look keypad). This does not indicate the telescope software
“terrible”. version—which is displayed on the keypad LED at power-up.
 -7-
TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY Alternately, the field tripod can be used in conjunction with the
Use the following steps to assemble your telescope. appropriate optional equatorial wedge (APPENDIX A, page 25)
for long exposure astrophotography. The equatorial wedge
NOTE: If the section is not applicable to all LX200 models, it is permits alignment of the telescope’s Polar Axis with the
noted at the beginning of each section. Celestial Pole (or North Star).
1. The Field Tripod After removing the field tripod from its shipping carton, stand
The field tripods (Figs. 2 and 3) for Meade 8", 10", and 12" the tripod vertically, with the tripod feet down and with the tripod
LX200 telescopes are supplied as completely assembled units, still fully collapsed (see Fig. 3). Grasp two of the tripod legs
except for the spreader bar (4, Fig. 2) and the 6 lock knobs (2 and, with the full weight of the tripod on the third leg, gently pull
knobs for each of the 3 tripod legs) used to adjust the height of the legs apart to a fully open position.
the tripod. These knobs are packed separately for safety in
Thread in the 6 lock-knobs (2 on each tripod leg) near the foot
shipment.
of each tripod leg (Fig. 2). These lock-knobs are used to fix the
For visual (i.e., non-photographic) observations, the drive base height of the inner, extendible tripod leg sections.
(17, Fig. 1) of the telescope’s fork mount is attached directly to
NOTE: “Firm feel” tightening is sufficient; over-tightening may
the field tripod. The telescope in this way is mounted in an
result in stripping of the knob threads or damage to the tripod
“Altazimuth” (“Altitude-Azimuth,” or “vertical-horizontal”) format.
legs and results in no additional strength.
The telescope in this configuration moves along vertical and
horizontal axes, corresponding respectively to the Declination The spreader bar (4, Fig. 2) has been removed for shipment.
and Right Ascension axes (explained later in this manual) in an To replace, first remove the threaded rod (2, Fig.2) from the
astronomical observing mode. tripod head (1, Fig. 2); a small piece of plastic holds the
threaded rod in place. Remove the small plastic bag that is
stapled to the threaded rod. This bag contains the “C” clip
1
2 retainer (used below) and an extra clip.
Slide the spreader bar onto the threaded rod (note the correct
orientation as shown in Fig. 2) and position the threaded rod
back through the tripod head. Place the clip retainer ( a “C” clip)
into the slot in the threaded rod. This clip holds the threaded
rod in place. See Fig. 3.
4 5 Position the spreader bar so that the 3 arms of the spreader bar
3 are lined up with the 3 tripod legs.
Place the entire telescope onto the top of the tripod head, and
thread the threaded rod into the central threaded hole in the
bottom of the drive base of the telescope. Tighten the tension
knob (3, Fig. 2); firm tightening of the tension knob is sufficient
to result in rigid positioning of the tripod legs.
7 6 To vary the tripod height, loosen the 6 lock-knobs, slide the 3
inner tripod leg sections out to the desired height, and firmly re-
tighten (but do not overtighten) the 6 lock-knobs.
To collapse the tripod (after removing the telescope and
equatorial wedge, if applicable) for storage follow these steps:
• Rotate the spreader bar 60° from its assembled position,
Fig. 2: LX200 Field Tripod. (1) Tripod Head; (2) Threaded so that one spreader bar arm is located between each
Rod; (3) Tension Knob; (4) Spreader Bar; (5) Lock Knobs; adjacent pair of tripod legs.
(6) Extension Strut; (7) Tension Hub. • At the base of the tripod is a 3-vane extension strut
system, with a circular hub at its center (7, Fig. 2). Grasp
the tripod head (1, Fig. 2) with one hand and, with the
“C” Clip other hand, pull directly “up” on the central hub of the
extension strut system. This operation will cause the
tripod legs to move inward to a collapsed position.

PRECAUTIONARY NOTES
• If the tripod does not seem to extend or
collapse easily, do not force the tripod legs in
or out. By following the instructions above,
the tripod will function properly, but if you are
unclear on the proper procedure, forcing the
tripod into an incorrect position may damage
the extension strut system.
• Do not overtighten the 6 lock-knobs used to
fix the inner tripod leg sections at various
heights. “Firm feel” tightening is sufficient.
• Be sure the spreader bar (4, Fig. 2) is not
upside-down on the threaded rod.

Fig. 3: Field Tripod (collapsed).

 -8-
2. Mounting the Viewfinder 4. Checking the Collimation of the Optics
Each 7", 8", 10", and 12" LX200 telescope is supplied as The optical systems of all Meade Schmidt-Cassegrains are
standard equipment with an 8x50mm straight-through precisely collimated, or aligned, before leaving the factory.
viewfinder. The bracket for this viewfinder is packed separately However, if the telescope has received a severe jolt in
from the finder itself, and 6 black nylon thumbscrews for shipment the optics can become de-collimated, a situation
collimation are pre-threaded into the viewfinder bracket. The which may result in serious image degradation. Recollimating
viewfinder bracket mounts onto the telescope with a quick- the optics is, however, a simple procedure which is easily
release mount. See Fig. 1. performed by the telescope user. We urge all LX200 owners to
a. Attaching the Viewfinder confirm the collimation of their telescope, and to recollimate the
optics if necessary. For details in this regard, see page 82.
The viewfinder is shipped separately from the bracket and must
be installed into the bracket. Slide the viewfinder into the NOTE: There is no collimation procedure required for the
bracket and lightly tighten the 6 collimation (alignment) screws Meade 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope. Factory alignment
(2, Fig. 1). assures optimal viewing accuracies.
The quick-release mount allows the viewfinder to be easily
5. 12" Tube Swing-Through Limit
attached or removed from the telescope. To attach the unit,
The length of the 12" LX200 optical tube prohibits the
simply slide the viewfinder with bracket into the mating base on
correcting plate end of the tube from swinging through the fork
the telescope and tighten the two thumbscrews.
arms — the tube will hit the mount. When the telescope is
b. Focusing the Viewfinder aligned, the software will stop the telescope from moving into
The viewfinder has been pre-focused at the factory. However, the mount. If the telescope is not aligned, there are also
should it become necessary to adjust the focus, follow these mechanical stops.
steps:
When in LAND or ALTAZ modes, this limit does not restrict any
1. Loosen the focus lock ring (18, Fig. 1). sections of the sky, since the limit is set at 45° from straight
2. While looking at a star, rotate the Dew Shield (1, Fig. 1) down. When in the POLAR mode, some parts of the sky might
until the star is in focus. (This refocuses the objective be restricted, depending on the latitude of the observing site.
lens.) Observing sites with latitudes higher than 45° will not have any
CAUTION: Take care when rotating counter clockwise. restrictions. Latitudes below 45° will have the southern horizon
You are unthreading the dew shield and it may fall off restricted somewhat. To determine the amount of sky not
if rotated too far. Refocusing the objective lens will available, subtract the latitude of the observing site from 45.
only require a few turns of the Dew Shield at most. This will give the number of degrees of southern horizon that
the 12" LX200 will not move to. For example, if the latitude of
3. When the Dew Shield is rotated to the sharpest focus for the observing site is 35°, then 10° (45-35) of southern sky is
your eye, tighten the focus lock ring against the Dew unavailable for observations.
Shield to fix its position.
c. Collimating the Viewfinder 6. 7" Tube Swing-Through Limit
The viewfinder will require alignment, or collimation, with the The length of the 7" LX200 optical tube prohibits the correcting
main telescope. Using the 26mm eyepiece, point the main plate end of the tube from swinging through the fork arms —
telescope at some easy to find land object (e.g., the top of a the tube will hit the mount. When the telescope is aligned, the
telephone pole or corner of a building) at least 200 yards software will stop the telescope from moving into the mount. If
distant. Center a well-defined object in the main telescope. the telescope is not aligned, there are also mechanical stops
Then, simply turn the 6 nylon collimation thumbscrews and some parts of the sky might be restricted if using a wedge,
(2, Fig. 1) until the crosshairs of the viewfinder are precisely depending on the latitude of the observing site.
centered on the object already centered in the main telescope. Observing sites with latitudes higher than 45° will not have any
With this collimation accomplished, objects located first in the restrictions. Latitudes below 45° will have the southern horizon
wide-field viewfinder will then be centered in the main somewhat restricted when using a wedge and polar aligning. To
telescope’s field of view. determine the amount of sky not available, subtract the latitude
3. Attaching the Diagonal Mirror and Eyepiece of the observing site from 45, this will give the number of
degrees of the southern horizon that the 7" LX50 will not reach.
The eyepiece holder (6, Fig. 1) threads directly onto the rear-
For example, if the latitude of the observing site is 35°, then 10°
cell thread of the 8" and 10" telescopes. The diagonal prism
(45 – 35) of southern sky is unavailable for observations. No
(13, Fig. 1) slides into the eyepiece holder of the 7", 8" and 10"
restrictions of observable sky occur in the altaz mode of
telescopes, while the 2" diagonal mirror threads directly into the
alignment and operation.
rear-cell thread of the 12" telescope. In turn, both the diagonal
prism and diagonal mirror accept the supplied 1-1/4" O.D. 7. Maksutov Fan
eyepiece. The Maksutov optics are equipped with a fan which will assist
For astronomical observations, the diagonal prism or mirror in the stabilization of the temperature of these optics. The fan
generally provides a more comfortable right-angle viewing will operate when a special power cord (supplied in the
position. Alternately, in the 8" and 10" telescopes, an eyepiece accessory box) is plugged into the fan and the LX50 panel plug
may be inserted directly into the eyepiece holder for straight- marked “Aux” with the power switch in the “ON” position. The
through observations, the 12" telescope requires the accessory amount of time required to stabilize the temperature will be
eyepiece holder. Note in this case, however, that the image will dependent upon ambient conditions including the observation
appear inverted and reversed left-for-right. With the diagonal site and preexisting condition of the telescope. The fan should
prism and mirror, telescopic images appear correctly oriented be activated at the beginning of the observation session to
up-and-down, but still reversed left-for-right. For terrestrial accelerate the temperature stabilization. As soon as the optics
applications, where a fully corrected image orientation is have reached an equilibrium with the environment the fan
desired, both up-and-down and left-for-right, the optional #924 should be turned off by unplugging the fan power cord. Fan
Erecting Prism* or #928 45° Erect-Image Diagonal Prism operation time should range between 5 and 25 minutes. While
should be ordered separately. Eyepieces and the diagonal it is permissible to run the fan continuously it is not
prism are held in their respective places on the telescope by a recommended because the very slight vibration of the fan may
moderate tightening of the thumbscrews on the diagonal prism cause noticeable movement of the objects observed in the
and eyepiece holder. sensitive optics.
 -9-
QUICK START To use the Declination fine-adjust, or manual slow-motion knob,
To utilize all the features of the telescope, it is necessary to lock the telescope in Declination using the Declination lock
enter some information into the telescope’s computer memory, knob (2, Fig. 4), and turn the Declination slow-motion knob
and learn the menu structure of the keypad hand controller, (1, Fig. 4).
which is described in the rest of this manual. As advanced as With the above mechanical operations in mind, select an easy
LX200 electronics are, the telescope is very straightforward to to find terrestrial object as your first telescope subject — for
operate — even if you have no experience whatsoever in using example, a house or building perhaps one-half mile distant.
a personal computer.
Unlock the Declination lock knob (2, Fig. 4), and R.A. lock
If you are reading this manual for the first time and are anxious (7, Fig. 1), center the object in the telescopic field of view and
to “look through the telescope”, this section will describe how to then re-lock the Dec. and R.A. locks. Precise image centering
use the telescope without going through the rest of the manual. is accomplished by using the Dec. and R.A. slow-motion
But be sure to come back and read the details, for most of the controls.
telescope’s features can not be accessed without a full
The focus knob (5, Fig. 1) is located at the “4 o’clock” position
knowledge of these details.
as you face the rear cell of the telescope. Focusing is
1. Using the LX200 Manually accomplished internally by a precise motion of the telescope
primary mirror so that, as you turn the focus knob, there are no
The easiest way to use the telescope is to simply operate it
externally moving parts. You will find that if you turn the focus
manually. With the telescope mounted on the field tripod (see
knob counter-clockwise you are focusing towards the infinity
The Field Tripod, page 7), and with the diagonal prism and
setting, and turning clockwise is for close distance. There are
eyepiece in place, you are ready to make observations through
about 45 complete turns to go from one end of focus to the
the telescope. Even without the viewfinder (if not yet installed),
other, and it is possible to focus past infinity. Be patient during
terrestrial objects will be fairly easy to locate and center in the
focusing as images quickly go in and out of focus with only a
telescope’s field of view with a low power eyepiece, simply by
slight amount of turning of the focus knob.
“gun sighting” along the side of the main telescope tube.
By unlocking the R.A. lock (7, Fig. 1), the telescope may be 2. Using the LX200 In LAND
turned rapidly through wide angles in Right Ascension (R.A.). The 7", 8", 10", and 12" LX200 telescopes are shipped with the
The reason for the terminology Right Ascension and its microprocessor set to LAND, the align menu option you will
complementary term, Declination will be made clear later in this wish to use to view terrestrial objects. In this menu option 4
manual. For now, Right Ascension simply means “horizontal” different motion speeds are active, allowing the telescope to be
and Declination means “vertical”. Fine adjustments in R.A. are moved electronically by means of the keypad. To use the
made by turning the R.A. slow-motion control knob (8, Fig. 1), telescope in Land, follow these steps.
while the R.A. lock is in the “unlocked” position.
a. Loosen the Dec. lock knob (2, Fig. 4) and position the
CAUTION: Do not attempt to move the telescope optical tube approximately level, so that the Dec. setting
manually in a horizontal direction when the R.A. lock circle (3, Fig. 1) reads 0°. Retighten the Dec. lock knob.
is in the “locked” position. b. Loosen the R.A. lock (7, Fig. 1) and rotate the telescope
so that the R.A. pointer (9, Fig. 1) and the HA pointer
The R.A. slow-motion control knob may be turned, if desired, (16, Fig. 1) are approximately in line with each other. This
with the R.A. lock in a “partially locked” position. In this way, a will position the fork arms so that they are parallel to the
comfortable “drag” in R.A. is created. But do not attempt to power panel (11, Fig. 1). Tighten the R.A. lock
operate the R.A. slow-motion control knob with the telescope
fully locked in R.A., as such operation may result in damage to The above two steps are not necessary for the telescope to
the internal gear system. work, so don’t worry about having to get it exactly right. The
telescope has some “illegal” positions, places where the
Releasing the Declination lock knob (2, Fig. 4), permits telescope will not go and these two steps insure proper
sweeping the telescope rapidly through wide angles in operation.
Declination.
c. After setting up the telescope, plug in both coil cords with
the keypad, one of the supplied power sources, either the
AC Wall Adapter Power Converter (for AC current wall
outlets), or the optional DC Cigarette Lighter Power Cord
(used in an automobiles cigarette lighter outlet, with the
ignition turned on only to allow the electric power on from
the car battery).
d. Turn on the power switch on the power panel of the
LX200. The keypad display (1, Fig. 5) will show “MEADE”
for several seconds as the microprocessor does a self-
2 diagnostic test. When the self-diagnostic test is complete,
the display will show “TELESCOPE” on the top line,
“OBJECT LIBRARY” on the lower line, and the red LED
light next to the “SLEW” button will light up.
1 e. At this point, the LX200 is ready to use. Select the speed
at which you want to move the telescope by pressing the
appropriate Speed Selection Key (4, Fig 5). Note that you
will be able to “see” the telescope move only in the SLEW
3 and FIND modes; CNTR (center) and GUIDE motions can
only be seen while looking through the telescope. The red
LED next to that key (3, Fig. 5) will light, indicating the
speed selected. Then press one of the four direction keys
Fig. 4: LX200 Declination (Vertical) System. (1) Manual (2, Fig. 5) to move the telescope in that direction at the
Slow-Motion Control Knob; (2) Declination Lock Knob; selected speed.
(3) Declination Worm Gear Cover.
 - 10 -
Method to Use?, page 13). Follow steps 4 through 8 in Setting
Up the Telescope, page 11, to change the telescope’s operation
to Altazimuth (ALTAZ) mode before proceeding.
1 You should find the position of your observing site to within 1 or
2 minutes of arc in both latitude and longitude. Many
automobile, pilot, and topographical maps, as well as most
atlases show latitude and longitude in 15 minute increments or
better. The accuracy of the LX200 will depend on how close
you get, so take a little time to get as accurate as you can.
2
Once the above information is determined, it can be entered
into the telescope. It is easiest to enter the data with the
telescope sitting on a table indoors—do not try to do it outside
at night.
Each step below is given without any details or explanations to
4 keep the process as simple and fast as possible. Next to each
3 step will also be a sample of what the keypad hand controller
display (1, Fig. 6) should look like after each step.
As an example, we will enter the data for Irvine, CA (LAT =
33°35', LONG = 117°42'). If at any time you get “lost,” simply
turn off the telescope and restart this procedure.
1. Turn the telescope power on. After a few seconds (after
Fig. 5: Keypad Hand Controller. (1) Display); (2) Direction the self-diagnostic test is complete), the display will look
Keys; (3) Speed Indicator LEDs; (4) Speed Selection Keys. like Display 1.

Motion Speeds Display 1

→TELESCOPE
OBJECT LIBRARY
SLEW (7) = 8°/sec (8”, 10”); 6°/sec (12”)
FIND (4) = 2°/sec 2. Press the ENTER key. This selects the TELESCOPE
CNTR (1) = 480 arcsec/sec functions. The display should now look like Display 2.
GUIDE (0) = 30 arcsec/sec
Display 2 →1) SITE
The LX200 can also be moved manually with the R.A. and Dec.
locks released, or as described above only. The Declination
2) ALIGN
manual slow-motion knob (1, Fig.4) is non-functional when 3. Press the ENTER key. This selects the SITE functions.
power is supplied to the telescope. When the power is “on”, The display should look like Display 3.
only use the N, S, E, and W keys on the keypad hand controller.
Serious damage can occur to the internal gears of the motor →1) A A A ✔
assembly if the Declination manual slow-motion knob is turned Display 3
even a slight amount by hand.
2) A A A
3. Using the LX200 In ALTAZ (Altazimuth ) 4. Press and Hold the ENTER key until the keypad hand
The two quick start methods described above allow you to use controller beeps. This selects the first site for editing. The
the telescope, but do not make use of any of the computer display should look like Display 4, with the first “A”
features available, including finding objects from the Object flashing.
Library and automatic tracking of stars. In order for these
features to work, the telescope’s power needs to be “on,” and Display 4
→1) A A A ✔
the computer needs some basic information, which is entered 2) A A A
through the keypad. Once entered, the information is
permanently remembered by the telescope’s computer and 5. Press the ENTER key. The display should now look like
need never be entered again, even if the telescope is turned Display 5.
“on” and “off” many times.
This section will explain what keys to push to get the minimum Display 5
→LAT = +00° 00’
data required into the computer, without any detailed LONG = 000° 00’
explanation (see MODE FUNCTIONS, page 16, for detailed
instructions). The steps detailed here only take a few minutes 6. Use the number keys to enter your latitude. The underline
and allow you to begin making use of all the LX200 features. designates the current cursor position. Mistakes can be
corrected by moving back (using the “E” and “W” keys). A
a. Entering Basic Information
negative latitude can be entered by positioning the cursor
In order for the LX200 to make the conversions between the under the “+” and hitting the “NEXT” key (lower right-hand
stellar coordinate system (R.A. and Declination) and the key). When the latitude is correct, press ENTER. The
Altazimuth coordinate system (altitude and azimuth), it needs display will look like Display 6.
to know three pieces of information. This information only
needs to be entered one time — the LX200 remembers data
even when the power is off. Note, however, that the time should Display 6 →LAT = +33° 35’
be checked and reset, if necessary, on each observing session. LONG = 000° 00’
b. Location of the Observing Site 7. Use the number keys to enter your Longitude as above.
NOTE: The SITE information cannot be entered if the telescope When complete, the display will look like Display 7.
is in LAND mode.
If the telescope is in LAND mode, the SITE menu option (Display →LAT = +33° 35’
Display 7
2) will appear in lower case letters (see Which Alignment LONG = 117° 42’
 - 11 -
8. Press ENTER to complete the site information input. The
U.S.A. TIME ZONES
display will go back to Display 3.
TIME STANDARD DAYLIGHT
9. Press MODE to go back to Display 2.
ZONE TIME TIME
10. Press MODE again to go back to Display 1.
HAWAII +10 Hours +9 Hours
It is important to note that the longitude standard used in the
PACIFIC +8 Hours +7 Hours
LX200 starts at 0 degrees in Greenwich U.K. and increases
Westerly only to 359 degrees 59 minutes. Many maps will show MOUNTAIN +7 Hours +6 Hours
Easterly longitudes which cannot be entered into the keypad CENTRAL +6 Hours +5 Hours
display. As an example, if your map indicates that you are at an
EASTERN +5 Hours + 4 Hours
Easterly longitude of 18 degrees 27 minutes, then you would
enter 341 degrees 33 minutes. ATLANTIC +4 Hours +3 Hours
Do not concern yourself with differences in longitude and For example: You live in the Pacific Time Zone and you are on
latitude as they pertain to different map spheroid projections, Daylight Time. The GMT time shift is +7 hours.
those minor differences are too small to adversely affect the
6. Use the number keys to enter the GMT time zone shift
longitude and latitude data input.
determined from the table above. Press ENTER when
c. Local Time and Date. done; the display will go back to Display 8. If you are using
NOTE: The Time function on the 16” LX200 telescope is a the LX200 East of Greenwich U.K., then you must enter a
standard quartz clock. Like nearly any timepiece, the internal - (minus) GMT time zone shift by moving the blinking
clock of the telescope should be periodically checked and cursor backwards in the display with the W key and then
updated to keep it as accurate as possible. pressing the NEXT key. The + (plus) sign will change to -
(minus). Use the number keys to enter the Westerly (+)
The local time should be set as accurately as possible, using GMT time zone shift determined from the table above or
the 24 hour format. The local time and date are used to your calculated Easterly (-) time zone shift.
determine sidereal time (star time) and the pointing accuracy of
the telescope will depend on the accuracy of the time entered. 7. Press the ENTER key. This will select the DATE display
Choose a reliable source as a reference for accurate time such (Display 12), with a random date showing.
as your local airport, or telephone company. In the U.S.A. you
can double check the accuracy of the exact minutes by dialing Display 12 DATE = 0 7 / 11 / 9 1
WWV for the universal coordinated time at (303) 499-7111 (be
sure to enter your local time hour information, not the U.T.
hour). For the example, we will use 2:40:00 P.M. on August 5, 8. Press and Hold the ENTER key until the keypad hand
1998. controller beeps. The display will look like Display 13, with
the blinking cursor over the first number.
1. The display should look like Display 1. If it does not, press
the MODE key until it does.
2. Press the MODE key twice. The display will look like Display 13 DATE = 0 7 / 11 / 9 1
Display 8, but with a random LOCAL and SIDE times.
9. Use the number keys to enter the current date. The
Display 8
→LOCAL = 11:24:30 display should look like Display 14. Use the W and E keys
SIDE = 21:38:02 to move the blinking cursor left and right to correct any
mistakes.
3. Press and HOLD the ENTER key until the keypad hand
controller beeps (display like Display 9). DATE = 0 8 / 0 5 / 9 8
Display 14

Display 9
→LOCAL = 11:24:30
SIDE = 21:38:02 10. Press the ENTER key when the date is correct.
4. Using the number keys, enter the current local time to After you press the ENTER key, the keypad hand controller will
within 5 seconds. (Remember, 2:40:00 P.M. is 14:40:00 in display “Updating planetary data.” The position of the planets
the 24 hour format.) Corrections can be made by moving depends on the date, so anytime the date is changed, the
the flashing cursor using the W and E keys. The display planet positions are recalculated.
should look like Display 10. (NOTE: The time should be This is all the information the LX200 needs to make use of all
checked and reset about once a month.) features. The next steps actually align the telescope with the
night sky.
Display 10 →LOCAL = 14:40:00 d. Setting Up the Telescope
SIDE = 21:38:02 After the basic information has been entered into the telescope,
5. Press the ENTER key when the time is correct. The the telescope is ready to actually set-up and use. Follow
display will change to Display 11. TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY (page 6) to set-up the telescope
outside, and follow these steps:
1. Using the Bubble Level (14, Fig. 1) located on the
Display 11 Hours from GMT: telescope’s drive base, level the telescope. This is a very
+08 important step because the telescope’s pointing ability
depends on the telescope being level. Make sure the
The next step is to enter the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time
bubble is precisely centered by adjusting the height of the
zone shift (This procedure is a lot easier than it sounds). Simply
three tripod legs.
look up your time zone in the table below to find the GMT time
zone shift. 2. Loosen the Dec. lock knob (18, Fig. 1) and position the
optical tube assembly approximately level (so that the
Dec. Circle (3, Fig. 1) reads 0°. Retighten the Dec. lock
knob.
 - 12 -
3. Loosen the R.A. lock (7, Fig. 1) and rotate the telescope use the next month’s chart. Once you identify the
so that the R.A. pointer (9, Fig. 1) and the HA pointer constellation, pick any of the labeled stars that is not
(16, Fig. 1) are approximately in line with each other. This within a 10 degree radius of overhead, but do not choose
will position the fork arms so that they are parallel to the Polaris, for reasons made clear below. Polaris is also
power panel (11, Fig. 1). lock the R.A. lock. known as the North Star, and is shown for reference only.
Steps 2 and 3 are not required for the telescope to work, so When aligning in ALTAZ, overhead stars can confuse the
don’t worry about getting it exactly right. The telescope has LX200 because of an illegal position that prevents the
some “illegal” positions (places where the telescope will not optical tube assembly from slewing past 90 degrees
go) and these two steps insure proper operation. altitude to protect the viewfinder from hitting the fork arm.
4. Turn the telescope on. After a few seconds (after the self- The LX200 will track an overhead object, but it does so
diagnostic test is complete), the display will look like by moving higher in altitude up to the illegal position, then
Display 15. the drive speeds up and move 180 degrees in azimuth so
that the optical tube assembly can now be lowered in
Display 15
→TELESCOPE altitude to keep up with the overhead object. Confusion
OBJECT LIBRARY arises because the LX200 does not know which side of
180 degrees of azimuth that it is on. Similarly, Polaris
5. Press the ENTER key. This selects the TELESCOPE
presents position problems in ALTAZ alignment because
functions. The display should look like Display 16.
it is so close to the North Celestial Pole. In this region of
→1) SITE the sky, the lines of Right Ascension are so close
Display 16 together that even the LX200’s high-resolution encoders
2) ALIGN can yield ambiguous data.
6. Press the NEXT key. This will move the arrow to the In our example of August 5, we would use the August
lower line (see Display 17). chart, face North and look up about 45 degrees. Cygnus
is probably the easiest constellation to recognize, and we
Display 17
1) SITE will use the star Deneb for our example.
→2) ALIGN Use the PREV and NEXT key to scroll through the list of
7. Press the ENTER key to select the ALIGN function. The alignment stars until the arrow is positioned on Deneb
display will look like Display 18. (If the display looks like (Display 24).
Display 19 — with a checkmark already next to ALTAZ,
go to step 9.)
CASTOR A
Display 24
→DENEB
Display 18
→1) ALTAZ
2) POLAR The TELESCOPE and OBJECT LIBRARY features are
accessed through a series of menus, which are shown on the
8. Press the ENTER key to activate the ALTAZ mode. The keypad hand controller display. You can scroll up or down
keypad hand controller will beep and display a through the list of choices by using the PREV and NEXT keys,
checkmark next to the ALTAZ (see Display 19). and select the indicated menu option with the ENTER key.
Menu choices that are shown in lower case letters are
Display 19 →1) ALTAZ ✔ unavailable in the current operating mode (LAND, ALTAZ, or
2) POLAR POLAR). If you try to select a lower case menu option, the
keypad hand controller will emit three warning beeps. Three
9. Press the ENTER key to use the checked mode (ALTAZ). beeps always indicate an attempt to perform an invalid
The keypad hand controller display will look like Display telescope operation.
20.
14. Press the ENTER key to select Deneb. The keypad hand
1 Star or controller displays a message (Display 25).
Display 20
2 Star Alignment
Display 25
Center DENEB
10. Press “1” to select “Star.” The display screen will now then press ENTER
look like Display 21.
15. Center the alignment star (Deneb in our example) in the
Display 21
Level base, then eyepiece of the telescope. You can manually move the
press ENTER telescope by loosening the Dec. lock knob and R.A. lock
or electrically by using the N, S, W, and E keys. If moving
11. If you have not already leveled the telescope, do so now. the telescope electrically, be sure to use the speed keys,
When the telescope is level, press ENTER. The display SLEW to get close, FIND to center in the viewfinder, and
will look like Display 22. CNTR to center the star in the eyepiece. When the star is
centered, press ENTER.
Display 22
Press ENTER, then
The telescope is now aligned and fully functional, and
pick align star automatically begins to track objects. From this point on, make
12. This message simply reminds you what you should do all telescope movements using of the keypad hand controller.
next. Press ENTER to show a display like Display 23. Manual movements by loosening the Dec. or R.A. locks will
cause the LX200 to “lose” position, requiring realignment.
Display 23
→ACHERNAR
ACRUX A e. Using the MODE Key
The LX200 has 5 basic keypad hand controller displays, and
13. Using the monthly star charts (APPENDIX B, page 29) pick the MODE key is used to move between them. The 5 modes
an alignment star. Look at the chart for the current month are:
and face the direction indicated. The constellations 1. Telescope Functions. The TELESCOPE mode is where
shown are easily found — even in the city. The charts are all telescope functions are changed or activated and the
approximately 90 degrees wide, with the top of the chart OBJECT LIBRARY is where the features of the object
indicating straight up. If the time is after 9:00 PM, then library are accessed.
 - 13 -
2. Telescope Position. The first display shows the RA and 3. Follow the keypad display prompts to choose and center
DEC (telescope position in stellar coordinates) and the the the second alignment star. Be sure to use the keypad
second display (accessed by pressing the ENTER key) to slew to the second star. After pressing the ENTER key
shows the telescope position in ALTAZ coordinates. in the last step, the keypad display should show the
3. Time and Date. The first display shows local and Sidereal TELESCOPE/OBJECT LIBRARY screen.
time and the second display (accessed by pressing the Important Note: Whenever using either of the 2-Star
ENTER key) shows the date. alignment procedures (at a known SITE or at an unknown
4. Timer and Freq. This display is a countdown timer and SITE), choosing the proper two stars will determine the
allows the user to change drive rates. These are pointing accuracy of the telescope. Choose two stars that are
advanced features. not too close together — try to use stars that are at least 90°
5. All Off. This mode simply turns off all displays and apart. Do not use Polaris because RA changes very fast at the
backlighting. You can also adjust the backlighting Pole and minor centering errors translate to large RA pointing
brightness by pressing the ENTER key and using the errors. Also, avoid stars near the zenith (straight up) since
PREV and NEXT keys to adjust the brightness. azimuth changes very fast in this area. Generally speaking,
choosing two stars as far apart as possible will yield very
f. Library Object Keys accurate pointing, often within a few arc minutes.
While in any of the 5 main keypad display modes, you can The LX200 calculates the distance between the two stars that
directly access the library objects by using the M, STAR, or you chose in the alignment steps and compares this to the
CNGC keys (see APPENDIX C, page 31, of this manual for more distance that you actually slewed the telescope. This is a check
information on the 64,359 Object Library). Simply press an to be sure you centered the correct stars during the alignment
object key, and type in the number of the object desired, steps. Should the LX200 discover a discrepancy, the keypad
followed by ENTER. For example, a good first object for the will display an “Align Mismatch — Check Stars” message. If
first part of the year is M42 — the Great Orion Nebula. you get this message after aligning the telescope, check that
Press the M key, the 4 key, the 2 key, and finally the ENTER you are using the correct stars and align again.
key. The display will show data on the object (name, rating,
object type, brightness, size). Now press GO TO. The c. Unknown SITE
telescope will automatically slew to M42. To use the LX200 telescope at an unknown location, use the
If the object entered is not above the horizon, the keypad hand following procedure:
controller will display the message “Object Below Horizon.” 1. Select site #5 (UNKNOWN) from the SITE menu.
Other good first objects (if above the horizon) are any of the M NOTE: This site cannot be edited like site numbers 1 to 4 as
objects — from M1 to M 110, and the planets. To find a planet described in Entering Basic Information, page 10.
enter: (NOTE: 903 is the Moon.) 2. Follow the keypad display prompts to select and center
the two alignment stars.
OBJECT LIBRARY PLANET LEGEND
As described above, the LX200 will check the accuracy of the
PLANET STAR # PLANET STAR# two stars and give the “Align Mismatch — Check Stars”
MERCURY 901 SATURN 906 message if it detects an error.
VENUS 902 URANUS 907
d. Which Alignment Method to Use?
MARS 904 NEPTUNE 908 Each of the three method described above has advantages and
JUPITER 905 PLUTO 909 disadvantages. The following table summarizes these
properties.
4. Star Alignment
1-Star 2-Star 2-Star
The 2-Star initialization routines provide three options for
Known Known Unknown
aligning the LX200 telescope when in the ALTAZ mode.
Pointing Level 2-Star 2-Star
NOTE: The 2-Star initialization routines only apply to the ALTAZ
Accuracy of Alignment Alignment
alignment mode (see MODE FUNCTIONS, page 16, for POLAR Determined Telescope
and LAND mode initialization). By:
The first and second options require that entry of the SITE and Atmospheric Yes Yes No
TIME information as described in Entering Basic Information Refraction
(page 10). The third option is used when the SITE information Correction*
is not known or has not been entered into the LX200’s memory.
Atmospheric Level Level Not
a. 1-Star with Known SITE Refraction of of Applicable
The 1-Star alignment routine was explained in detail in Setting Correction Telescope Telescope
Up the Telescope (page 11). Determined
By:
b. 2-Star at Known SITE When Best used Best used Best used
To use the 2-Star alignment procedure at a known site, follow Best when the on a when the
these steps: Used telescope is transportable SITE
1. Select the 2-Star alignment (by pressing the “2” key); the permanently telescope information
keypad display will prompt you to level the base. This mounted with the is not
leveling step requires a rough level only and, unlike the 1- and SITE available
accurately information
Star alignment routine, does not affect the pointing
leveled available
accuracy of the telescope. (See Section d. below for a
summary of the differences in telescope operation when * Atmospheric Refraction Correction: Light from an astronomical
selecting each of the three alignment procedures.) object is “bent,” (refracted) as it passes through the atmosphere.
This bending is more pronounced near the horizon because there is
2. After leveling the base and pressing ENTER, follow the more atmosphere for the light to pass through, and it shifts the
keypad display prompts to select the first alignment star. apparent position of the star. The LX200 calculates this bending and
Slew to that star using the N, S, E, and W keys. compensates for it when slewing to objects near the horizon.
 - 14 -
THE LX200 KEYPAD HAND CONTROLLER 2. MODE Key
Designed to make you a better astronomer, the integration of The MODE key (2, Fig.6) cycles through the five modes of the
optics, mechanics, electronics, and software in the LX200 LX200, and is used to exit from specific menu files.
Maksutov Cassegrain or Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope is
easily mastered. So easy, in fact that the telescope becomes a 3. GO TO Key
natural extension of the observer. The GO TO key (3, Fig. 6) causes the LX200 to automatically
The LX200 gives you virtually every telescope function possible slew to specific library entry coordinates. The GO TO key also
with every control in a compact hand held console. The red produces a blinking cursor in the GO TO menu file of the
LCD backlit keypad has tactile touch buttons (some of which COORDINATES/GO TO mode, to allow new Right Ascension
are brighter than others), designed to have the right feel even and Declination coordinates to be entered.
if you wear gloves. Its red LCD backlit display, key
4. Direction Keys
arrangement, and easy to understand information allow you to
Labeled N, S, E, and W, (4, Fig. 6) these four keys make the
focus the telescope and your mind on the subject at hand.
LX200 move, or slew, in a specific direction, with an option of
The LX200 keypad hand controller is a dual axis drive corrector four different speeds, explained later. During entry to change a
with periodic error control; an information display center for the value, the E and W keys can be used to move the blinking
computerized library; a digital coordinate readout system; a cursor back and forth across the LCD display, so that if an error
pulsing, illuminated reticle eyepiece brightness controller; a two is made during entry, it can be erased and changed.
speed electric focuser controller, and a red LED flashlight!
The remaining 12 keys have multiple functions, there are up
You will find within a few minutes of powering up the LX200 that and down arrow keys, and numbered keys from 0 through 9.
the keypad becomes warm, which is normal for the system. Each one of these keys also has alternate functions listed
The electronics utilize a heat sink as a means to provide the above the arrow symbols and numbers. The ALT LED light is
correct operating environment temperature for the LCD display only visible when entering numerical data. A description of the
even in sub-zero weather. If you are in these colder conditions, individual keys follows:
the display may not be visible until the keypad has transferred
enough heat. This process can take a few minutes upon 5. Speed Keys (SLEW, FIND, CENTER, and GUIDE)
powering up the telescope. While severe cold weather is not These keys (6, Fig. 6) allow you to set the rate of movement
damaging to the electronics, it is advised to keep the keypad in (slew) speed in the drives of the LX200, as activated by the N,
a warmer area to allow immediate proper display performance. S, E, and W keys. The chosen rate is indicated by the speed
indicator illuminated LED beside the rate key that you have
pressed. the speed rates are SLEW (4 degrees per second),
FIND (1 degrees per second), CNTR (16X sidereal rate), and
7 GUIDE (2X sidereal rate).
1 NOTE: All of the slew speeds will drive the LX200 in all four
8 directions, except for GUIDE. The 2X sidereal speed in GUIDE
has one difference in that it will not interrupt the Right
2 Ascension tracking direction to make Easterly (for Northern
9 hemisphere) or Westerly (for Southern hemisphere)
3 adjustments; it will merely slow down the tracking drive to one
half its normal speed. You will find, however, that the slower
drive will move the image opposite of the tracking direction,
4
without disturbing the smooth drive action. This performance is
5 10 absolutely essential when making astrophotographs.
SLEW, FIND, CENTER, and GUIDE keys also have numbers
listed 7, 4, 1, and 0 respectively. When editing a value, the
6 11 multiple function of each of these keys is realized. SLEW and
FIND are also used to set the “fast” focus speed for the electric
focuser accessory option, while CNTR and GUIDE set the
“slow” focus speed. There are other special functions for the
CNTR and GUIDE keys that are discussed in the RET KEY
12 operations.

Fig. 6: Keypad Hand Controller. (1) ENTER Key; (2) MODE 6. RET Key
Key; (3) GO TO Key; (4) Direction Keys;(5) RETURN Key; Typically used for guiding the LX200 during an
(6) Speed Keys; (7) Red LED Light; (8) Display; (9) Focus astrophotograph, the RET key (5, Fig. 6) is used to change the
Key; (10) Object Keys; (11) MAP Key; (12) PREVIOUS and brightness and pulse rate of the optional corded style
NEXT Keys. illuminated reticle eyepiece. Pressing either the PREV and
NEXT (up and down arrow) keys while holding down the RET
The LX200 keypad buttons are described as follows: key, alters the reticle brightness level up or down.
1. ENTER Key When guiding on very faint stars, you may find it helpful to
The ENTER key (1, Fig. 6) is used to select a menu file, a file pulse the light from the LED so that the reticle crosshairs blink
option, or to edit a value. To select a file or an option, press and on and off. You will be able to adjust the reticle brightness as
release the ENTER key. The LX200 will give a short beep tone well as adjust the pulse rates. There are three pulse rates that
and perform the action that you have requested. To edit a can be used, all with a one second pulse interval. The
value, press and hold the ENTER key until a double beep tone continuous illumination control and pulse rates are set by
is heard and a blinking cursor appears in the display. There are holding down the RET key and pressing one of the following
some other specific situations where the ENTER key is used. keys; GUIDE (100% on, no pulsing), CNTR (50% on, 50% off),
These are described in detail where necessary. From now on, MAP (25% on, 75% off), CNGC (10% on, 90% off).
the two types of presses will be called ‘press’ and ‘press and
hold.”
 - 15 -
7. FOCUS Key THE LX200 POWER PANEL
The FOCUS key (9, Fig. 6) allows 2 speed electric focus control The power panel incorporates a power switch and LED
of the optional Meade #1206 Electric Focuser (or equivalent indicators showing power on with a current ammeter to show
corded electric focusers such as the Meade Model #1200A). To power draw.
activate, press either the SLEW or FIND key (for fast focusing), The power panel has all of the connectors for the AC or DC
or the CNTR or GUIDE key (for slow focusing), press and hold power input, the DEC Motor, and the keypad. There are
the FOCUS key, and then press and hold the PREV or NEXT connectors designed to accept optional accessories such as a
keys for near and far focus. CCD autoguiding camera, the optional Meade Field De-
Rotator, the Meade #1206 Electric Focuser, and an illuminated
8. MAP Key reticle eyepiece. There is even a connector for RS-232
The Map key (11, Fig. 6) turns on and off the red LED communication that will allow you to perform every function of
‘flashlight’ that is located at the top of the keypad. The deep red the keypad from your personal computer. An illustration and a
LED light will protect your night vision while you search for a description of the 16” LX200 power panel features follows:
particular accessory or examine a star chart.
1. ON/OFF Switch
9. Object Keys (M, STAR, and CNGC)
When the ON/OFF Switch (7, Fig. 7) is moved to the ON
These keys (10, Fig. 6) allow direct access to the LX200’s position, the power light indicator, the Current Ammeter, and
Object Library any time that you are not editing a value or the keypad all light up. You will hear the drive motors rev which
setting a parameter, or selecting a file menu. Use the Object momentarily pegs the Ammeter, then the drive motors shift to a
keys when you are at a “top level” of a mode. After pressing one slower speed which allows the RA worm gear to find its
of these keys, the keypad’s display will give a blinking cursor, centering position for calibrating the Smart Drive, then
allowing you to enter the catalog number for objects listed in resuming to an even slower tracking speed. The keypad
the library (see APPENDIX C, page 31). After entry press the display reads “Meade,” then the version of the software is
ENTER key. To see the entered object press the GO TO key. A indicated briefly before defaulting to the TELESCOPE/OBJECT
brief description of the catalog key symbols are; M (Messier LIBRARY. Within 15 seconds, the planetary orbital calculations
objects), STAR (stars and planets), and CNGC (Computerized with their corresponding apparent sizes and magnitudes, and
New General Catalog). current stellar precession calculations are made. Every
The 16" LX200 has several object libraries which are accessed computer function is checked, and the LX200 diagnostics are
with the STAR and CNGC keys. complete.
When you press the STAR or CNGC keys, the display will show
which object library you are currently in and wait for a number
2. N/S Switch
entry, as described above. The recessed N/S Switch (8, Fig.7) converts the LX200 for
operation in the Northern or Southern hemisphere, making the
To switch to a different library, press the ENTER key instead of drive reverse its’ tracking direction. Before power up, the
entering a number. appropriate N or S switch position should be made, as the
The keypad display will show a menu of libraries available. LX200 will not recognize a change made on the N/S switch
Move the cursor to the desired library and press ENTER to afterwards. Use a pen or small tool to slide the switch
select. appropriately. Be sure before you travel across the equator,
that you are setting the proper + or - latitude SITE entry for your
The 16" LX200 will “remember” the database you last
final destination.
accessed. Each time you press the STAR or CNGC keys, the
same object database will be displayed on the first line of the 3. Ammeter
keypad display. The Ammeter display (1, Fig. 7) is a series of vertical red LED
bars. Each bar that is fully lit represents 0.3 ampere (300 milli-
10. PREV AND NEXT Keys amperes) of current draw. The LED Ammeter represents its
The PREV and NEXT (up and down arrow) keys (12, Fig. 6) lowest value on the extreme left of the scale. During normal
move the display LCD arrow up and down the menu files and tracking speeds, the Ammeter will show about three fully lit LED
menu file options, so that you may choose an individual bars and at times a fourth that is partially lit, indicating about
selection to enter. These keys are also used when adjusting the 900 to 1000 milli-amps or 0.9 to 1.0 amps of current draw
RET brightness range, or when activating the electric focuser. (when a slew is initiated, the ammeter will peg the scale
PREV and NEXT work as well to select the objects from the momentarily showing the inertia load, this effect is entirely
Object Library when using START FIND. normal). The current draw information can be useful if you are
trying to calculate how much battery life you will have during an
observing session. As an example,
if the ammeter has four bars lit,
1 indicating 1.2 amps and you are
7 using a 12 amp hour battery, then to
2 know the approximate number of
hours of life the battery would yield
8 by dividing 12 by 1.2. This indicates
3
a battery life of 10 hours.
9
4 4. DEC Motor Connector
The DEC Motor Port (11, Fig. 7) is a
10 DB-9 socket, designed to accept
5
the supplied coil cord. One end of
the supplied coil cord plugs in to the
6 11 power panel and the other plugs
into the DEC MOTOR socket in the
Fig. 7: 16” LX200 Power Panel. (1) Ammeter; (2) RS-232 Connector; 3) Aux Connector; right fork arm to power the
(4) Focuser Connector; (5) Reticle Connector; (6) Keypad Connector; (7) ON/OFF Switch, declination motor.
(8) N/S Switch; (9) 12v DC Power Connector; (10) CCD Connector; (11) DEC Motor Connector.
 - 16 -
5. CCD Connector MODE FUNCTIONS
The CCD Port (10, Fig. 7) allows direct interface from popular To view the separate modes within the LX200 system, press
aftermarket CCD autoguiding/imaging cameras with their the MODE button located between the ENTER and GO TO
compatible connecting cables to accomplish autoguiding for keys at the top of the hand controller. Simple entry and editing
non-attended astrophotography. The CCD cameras effectively of information in the different modes contained within the
watch a star and detect slight movements. When star system, will customize the operation of your LX200 to perform
movements are detected, signals from the CCD electronics virtually any of your observing requirements. Better still, all of
make drive corrections in the LX200, to bring the star to a home the critical information such as time, location, alignment type,
position. and many other functions are kept in memory...even with the
Most CCD autoguiding/imaging cameras are supplied with a LX200 turned off!
cable which is compatible with the LX200 port. If your CCD unit The type of alignment, the objects that you see, the location
does not have a cable, one can be obtained from the CCD that you observe from, the tracking speeds of the drives, all of
manufacturer, or you can make your own cable using the the clock and timing functions, the position information, and
following table of information. even the brightness level of the backlit keypad are defined by
the information that you give and/ or the commands that you
CCD LX200
edit, through five different modes of the LX200 computerized
Connector Pin Assignment
hand controller.
#1 Normally Closed
Once you have selected the desired mode, you can then select
#2 West the individual file within the mode by pressing the PREV or
#3 North NEXT key (up and down arrow key) in the bottom right hand
#4 Ground portion of the hand controller, moving the LCD arrow up or
#5 South down beside the file description. Although you will only be able
to see two menu selections at a time in the keypad display, you
#6 East
will see more as you continue to press the PREV and NEXT
6. Power 12 vDC Connector keys.
The power 12 vDC connector (9, Fig. 7) is designed to accept When the desired file is chosen, press the ENTER key to view
either the standard-equipment AC Converter or the optional DC the files menu. To choose an individual menu, again use the
Power Cord. The acceptable voltage range (under load) is from PREV or NEXT key to run the LCD arrow up or down the files
12 to 18 volts. menu. To explore a menu selection, again press the ENTER
key. In some modes there will be options for a files menu
7. Keypad Connector selection, in others you will only enter data.
The keypad connector (6, Fig. 7) is a 4 pin phone jack
At any time that you wish to return to main file heading in a
connector socket, designed to accept standard 4 pin phone
particular mode, just press MODE and it will behave as an exit
jack coil cords. One end of the supplied coil cord plugs into the
key.
keypad port, the other end plugs into the LX200 keypad.
1. Mode One: TELESCOPE/ OBJECT LIBRARY
8. Reticle Connector This is the mode that the LX200 will default to after the
The Reticle connector (5, Fig. 7) accepts optional accessory instrument completes its self-check, when the LX200 is first
corded, plug-in style illuminated reticle eyepieces such as the turned on. The TELESCOPE/OBJECT LIBRARY mode can be
optional Meade 12mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece, or the thought of as command central. It is here that we can select the
Meade Series 4000 Plössl 9mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece way that we want the LX200 to perform mechanically, and
(corded style), to allow brightness control and on/off pulsing where we can explore and select from its extensive library of
rates to be set from the LX200 keypad. stored objects.
9. Focuser Connector To explore either the TELESCOPE menu file or the OBJECT
The focuser connector (4, Fig. 7) accepts optional accessory LIBRARY menu file, move the LCD arrow to the appropriate
corded, plug in style electric focusers such as the Meade selection by using the PREV or the NEXT key and press the
#1206 Electric Focuser, to allow electric focus adjustment ENTER key.
control from the LX200 keypad. a. TELESCOPE Menu File
Below are the 14 selections of the TELESCOPE menu file,
10. RS-232 Connector illustrating the individual menu files and file options.
The RS-232 connector (2, Fig. 7) allows personal computer
interface to allow communications at 9600 baud to access 1. SITE: The SITE menu option allows you to enter up to four
every feature of the LX200 keypad. Many popular astronomy of your favorite viewing locations in longitude and latitude.
programs are available which directly interface with Meade The entered longitude and latitude is compared by the
LX200 telescopes, including Epoch 2000sk Sky Software by LX200’s computer to your local time, GMT offset, and
Meade Instruments Corp. In APPENDIX F (page 58) of this calendar date to accurately calculate celestial
manual is a wiring schematic to make your own RS-232 coordinates. Once entered, the information is stored in the
connector cord, a cord test program, a demonstration program, telescope’s internal memory, you need never re-enter the
and the LX200 Command Set for writing programs. Meade same information. To enter new site information or to
Instruments supplies this information for professional change an old one, see QUICK START, page 9.
programmers. Meade Instruments Corporation does not offer You can choose any one of the four site options (or the
support or advice for writing software for the RS-232 option. UNKNOWN site) at your convenience, without the bother
of entering longitude and latitude every time you use the
11. Aux Connector LX200. Once the site is chosen, exit the SITE menu by
The Auxiliary connector (3, Fig. 7) is used for the 7" Maksutov pressing the MODE key.
fan power. 2. ALIGN: The Align menu selection of the TELESCOPE file
demonstrates the unique ability to transform the LX200
into an Altazimuth, celestial tracking telescope, a polar-
equatorial celestial tracking telescope, or land spotting
scope with electric Altazimuth movements within three
 - 17 -
options, which are; ALTAZ, POLAR, and LAND. TELESCOPE mode and press the ENTER key.
Assuming that you have already entered correct local Ignore the keypad display instructions to return the
time, latitude, and longitude (see QUICK START, page 9) telescope to 90 degrees in Declination and 00 HA.
you are ready to choose a particular type of alignment, by Instead, press the GO TO key and the LX200 will
pressing the NEXT or PREV key to run the arrow beside slew to the calculated position of where the pole star
the desired option of ALTAZ, POLAR, or LAND, and then should be.
pressing the ENTER key. The display will then give you Re-center the pole star in the field of view in the
specific instructions from this point that will literally walk eyepiece using only the adjustments on the pier in
you through the chosen alignment type. altitude and azimuth.
a. ALTAZ: ALTAZ (Altazimuth) requires that you mount Press the ENTER key, and the LX200 will once again
the LX200 directly to the top of the field tripod (with slew to a bright star overhead. Center this star using
the power panel facing North), and adjust the leg the N, S, E, or W keys, then press ENTER.
extensions of the tripod until the instrument is level.
NOTE: Pressing the MODE key at any point in the
You are then required to align on one or two of the
alignment routine aborts the routine and exit to the top
bright stars in its look up table of 33 alignment stars.
menu.
This allows your LX200 to track in altitude and
azimuth simultaneously for visual observations, or After each 15 minute interval you will find that the
very brief (under five minutes) exposure pole star becomes more accurately centered each
astrophotography or CCD imaging (longer exposures time. You can repeat the intervals as often as you like
will require the Field De-Rotator). ALTAZ allows you to obtain the highest accuracy. An optional
to fully access the Object Library as well as all other illuminated reticle crosshair eyepiece makes the job
telescope functions. Complete instructions for using of centering the star easy.
ALTAZ are in the QUICK START (page 9). There may be situations when it is impossible to see
b. POLAR: POLAR allows you to use the 16” LX200 the pole star due to something blocking your line of
(mounted on a permanent pier set to your latitude) as sight. On such an occasion, just press the ENTER
an equatorial telescope. With the LX200 powered up, key for the POLAR option so that it has a check next
the POLAR file option selected, and the field tripod to it, then follow the instructions in Precise Polar
leveled, the telescope should be adjusted so that the Alignment, page 30. You will require the use of an
Declination setting circle (3, Fig. 1) is set to 90 illuminated reticle crosshair eyepiece* to complete
degrees and the telescope is rotated to the 00 hour the task. Once finished, follow the steps below for a
angle (HA) position in Right Ascension. In this permanently mounted LX200 section to access the
position, the viewfinder (Fig. 1) is up-side down, and Object Library.
the R.A. pointer (4, Fig. 5), the 00 line of the R.A. d. The Permanently Mounted, Polar Aligned LX200:
setting circle (3, Fig. 5), and the HA pointer (5, Fig. 5) For those who will permanently mount the LX200 in
all line up. (If you do not start at the 00 H.A. position, an observatory, or wish to use the already polar
the telescope will point to the ground instead of the aligned telescope for several nights in succession, it
sky, when the keypad display chooses its second is recommended that a high precision polar
star.) Press the ENTER key and the LX200 will alignment be made with one of the methods
determine and slew to the precise off-set of the pole described above. Once done, however, you need not
star in Declination and Right Ascension. bother yourself to go through a polar alignment
routine on successive nights (provided that you do
At this point you need only aim the instrument at the
not move the instrument on the pier) to access the
pole star (see APPENDIX C, page 31, if the pole star
Object Library and enjoy near perfect tracking.
is not visible) and center it in the eyepiece field using
only the altitude and azimuth adjustments on the To bypass the polar alignment sequence, follow the
pier. Once done, you again press the ENTER key steps outlined below:
and the LX200 will choose and slew to a very bright • Return to the POLAR menu option and place a check
star that is overhead and can usually be seen in the next to it by pressing the ENTER key.
field of view of the viewfinder. At this point, center the
• Then directly enter the catalog number of an object
bright star using only the Right Ascension and
that you are familiar with in the sky by pressing the
Declination adjustments of the telescope (either
M, STAR, or CNGC key (see APPENDIX D, page 34,
manually by loosening the locks only or electrically),
for information on the Object Library) and press the
then press ENTER. You can now access every every
ENTER key again.
function of the LX200.
• Manually center the familiar object in the eyepiece of
c. Refined Polar Alignment: Astrophotographers the telescope.
routinely require polar alignments of the highest
accuracy for the finest guiding characteristics. Your • Press and hold the ENTER key until the display
initial polar alignment can be refined by using the reads “Coordinates matched.”
LX200’s electronics by using a slightly different You have now synchronized the Object Library and
method in the POLAR menu option. The steps the LX200 will correctly access every other object in
outlined below should be performed in two or three 15 the sky.
minute intervals. At each interval the telescope will e. LAND: The LAND menu option transforms the
slew to the area where the pole star should be ALTAZ (Altazimuth) mounted LX200 into an electric
centered in the optics. You may find that the pole star slewing spotting scope. In this mode, continuous
is somewhat off-center in the eyepiece showing the tracking is canceled and all of the celestial modes
alignment error that may have been made during your and menus are non-functional, showing lower case
initial setup. Re-center the pole star during each lettering in the displays and a beep tone if you try to
interval using the tripod adjustments only (see enter one of them.
APPENDIX B, page 29) in altitude and azimuth, then The LX200 will slew at any one of the four speeds of
follow the rest of the routine. SLEW, FIND, CNTR, and GUIDE as activated by
Return to the POLAR menu option in the pressing the appropriately marked keys on the left
 - 18 -
side of the keypad. Altazimuth coordinate readings corrections immediately by pressing any of the direction
can still be displayed in the coordinates mode (see (N, S, E, W) keys to keep the star on the crosshair of the
MODE 2, page 22). Refer to QUICK START (page 9) guiding eyepiece. It is suggested that you train in DEC
for the LAND menu option, for full operating LEARN for at least half of your intended exposure time for
procedures. You will also find that the addition of the an astrophoto. The longer that you train, the more
Meade #928 45-Degree Erect Image Prism or the accurate the DEC LEARN will be. Once the desired time
Meade #924 Porro Prism instead of the standard is finished, press ENTER and the training will cease. The
supplied star diagonal prism, will give the normal Smart Drive will then determine how many key pushes
right-side-up and left-to-right views that you are that you gave in N and S and choose the direction based
accustomed to when using a spotting scope. from which direction received more commands. It then
3. SMART: The SMART menu file controls the Smart Drive averages the time between key pushes in the chosen
and allows you to train almost all of the periodic error from direction. In this way, the Smart Drive can correct for
the Right Ascension drive worm gear (errors induced by Declination drift (should your polar alignment be slightly
tiny gear imperfections that tend to slightly speed up or off), or will allow you to more precisely guide on non-
slow down the drive tracking speed, that occur in a regular stellar objects, such as comets, asteroids, etc.
8 minute pattern, or for every rotation of the worm) for To play back your DEC LEARN training, move the LCD
greatly enhancing the tracking characteristics or the arrow to DEC CORRECT and press ENTER. To halt the
amount of East and West drift of your LX200. This greatly play back press ENTER again. To erase the DEC LEARN
simplifies guiding during astrophotography. The menu training, either move the LCD arrow back to DEC LEARN
also has provisions for correcting Declination drift. Smart and press ENTER twice or turn the LX200 off.
Drive will retain the training given to the R/A drive, even 4. 12/24 HR: The 12/24 HR menu selection of the
after the telescope is turned off. There is of course a way TELESCOPE file simply toggles between a 12 and 24
to erase any training given to it at your command. hour display of local time in the time mode.
The SMART menu has five options. They are; LEARN, To toggle between 12 and 24 hours displays, move the
UPDATE, ERASE, DEC LEARN, and DEC CORRECT. To arrow to 12/24HR and press ENTER. To return to the
use the Smart Drive, the LX200 must be mounted with the original setting, press ENTER again.
optional equatorial wedge (see APPENDIX A, page 25),
equipped with an illuminated reticle eyepiece*, and used 5. HELP: The HELP menu selection of the TELESCOPE file
in the POLAR align menu selection. Be sure to train the is an electronic mini-manual that will briefly describe the
Smart Drive in the 60.1 Hz Quartz setting that the LX200 function of each command key on the LX200 keypad.
will be automatically set at power up. Thereafter, you can To use this menu, move the arrow with the PREV or
adjust this setting in the TIMER/ FREQ mode and still NEXT key to HELP and press ENTER. To read the lines
enjoy the periodic error correction. of text, use the PREV and NEXT keys. To exit, press
Once a polar alignment has been completed, your LX200 MODE.
will point to a bright star overhead that will be near the 6. REVERSE N/S: The REVERSE N/S menu selection of
Celestial Equator. This will be a good star to train the the TELESCOPE file reverses the direction of the
Smart Drive on. You can of course, move to another star telescope in North and South movements (e.g., when you
just as long as you are near 0 degrees in declination and press the N key the scope will move South or down
more or less overhead in Right Ascension. Now is good instead of North or up). This is especially useful during
time to set the brightness and/ or the pulse rate (see THE some guiding applications in imaging and observing.
LX200 KEYPAD HAND CONTROLLER, page 14) of the
To use the REVERSE N/S menu, move the arrow to
illuminated reticle on the guide star and practice guiding
REVERSE N/S and press ENTER. If you wish to return
for a few minutes.
the direction commands to the original setting, press
To actually begin training the Smart Drive, move the LCD ENTER again.
arrow to LEARN by using the PREV or NEXT key and
7. REVERSE E/W: The REVERSE E/W menu selection of
press ENTER. There will be numbers that will appear next
the TELESCOPE file reverses the direction of the
to the LEARN display, that will begin counting down to
telescope in East and West movements (e.g., when you
zero. The highest number that can appear is 240. The
press the W key, the telescope will move East instead of
period of the worm is eight minutes and the number
West).
represents a sector of the worm wheel which will change
to the next lower digit every two seconds. As the keypad To use the REVERSE E/W menu, move the arrow to
display approaches sector 5, an alarm will alert you that REVERSE E/W and press ENTER. If you wish to return
training is about to commence. At this point try to keep the the direction commands to the original setting, press
star on the same location of the crosshair during the eight ENTER again.
minute training sequence by pressing the N, S, E, and W 8. BALANCE: When adding optional equipment to the
keys. After eight minutes, the training is over and Smart LX200, like a heavy camera, it is often necessary to
Drive will play back the drive corrections automatically, rebalance the telescope using the Meade #1404 Tube
dramatically improving the R.A. drive tracking. Balance Weight Systems.
If you wish to further refine the accuracy, move the LCD Selecting option #8 from the TELESCOPE menu moves
arrow to UPDATE and press ENTER and follow the same the LX200 telescope rapidly up and down in Declination.
instructions as above. This can be done in UPDATE as This provides an easy way to determine when the
many times as you wish. With each training the Smart telescope is balanced in the Declination axis.
Drive will average your training sequences. (Remember, loosening the Dec. lock to check the balance
If you find that you have made a mistake in training (e.g. will cause the LX200 to lose alignment.)
pushed E instead of W when you should have), you can When the telescope is out of balance, the LX200 will draw
eliminate the memory by moving the LCD arrow to more current when slewing in the “heavy” direction and
ERASE and press ENTER. the Dec. motor will sound different.
A star that drifts consistently North or South during After selecting option #8, watch the Ammeter and listen to
guiding, can also be corrected for. Move the LCD arrow to the Declination motor to determine when the LX200 is
DEC LEARN and press ENTER. Begin making drive balanced.
 - 19 -
9. HI-PRECISION: The High-Precision Pointing feature of NOTE: If this star is not in the field of view or if it is obstructed
LX200 allows for very precise pointing of the telescope. by a land object, the other two stars are available. Use the
By incorporating the unique LX200 SYNC command, 0.3 PREV and NEXT keys to cycle through the three closest stars.
arc-sec resolution encoders, and high-speed DC servo c. The telescope will slew to the selected object or
motors, observers can now place objects in the position.
telescope’s field of view with 1 arc-minute or better
pointing accuracy. This makes critical image placement 10. SLEW RATE: Option #10 in the TELESCOPE menu is for
applications, such as CCD imaging, possible. changing the slew rate of the LX200 telescope. Slowing
down the slew rate will result in less noise as the
Normal telescope pointing accuracy is better than 5 arc-
telescope moves and will also use a little less power. To
minutes when doing a casual alignment, which is more
change the slew rate, follow these steps:
than accurate enough for most observing applications. (A
“casual” alignment is one that uses the UNKNOWN SITE a. Press the MODE key on the keypad until the
or one that is done without the use of a reticle eyepiece to TELESCOPE/OBJECT LIBRARY menu appears.
exactly center the alignment stars.) This type of alignment The cursor should be next to the TELESCOPE
will put objects into the field of view of most eyepieces option — if not, press the PREV key to move the
and is more than adequate for almost any visual cursor up one space.
observing application. b. Press ENTER to select the TELESCOPE functions.
A “critical” alignment will improve the pointing accuracy of c. Press the PREV or NEXT keys to move the cursor to
the telescope to 2 arc-minutes or better. This type of option #10: SLEW RATE. On the right hand part of
alignment requires accurate SITE information, time, date, the display, the number 4 is displayed. This
proper selection of the two alignment stars, and a reticle represents the current slew rate in degrees per
eyepiece to exactly center the alignment stars. These second.
steps generally require only a few extra seconds to
d. Press the ENTER key to change the slew rate. Each
accomplish, and will improve the telescope’s positioning
successive ENTER key press increments the slew
by a substantial amount. Using the “critical” alignment will
rate by 1 degree per second.
provide telescope positioning suitable for all but the most
demanding pointing applications — including CCD e. After setting the desired rate, press the MODE key to
imaging with larger chip cameras, like the Meade Pictor return to the TELESCOPE/OBJECT LIBRARY menu.
416 and Pictor 1616 CCD cameras. NOTE: The slew rate is NOT stored in permanent memory and
The HI-PRECISION feature increases the pointing needs to be reset each time the telescope is powered up. The
accuracy of the LX200 to 1 arc-minute or better and also default slew rate is 4 degrees per second.
requires the “critical” alignment described above. This will 11. BACKLASH: The Backlash feature is only available in the
yield the best pointing accuracy possible, placing objects POLAR mode.
onto the active area of the even the smallest CCD
When taking long exposure astrophotographs, it is
cameras available.
necessary to “guide” the photograph to make sure the
It should be stressed that for most applications, using the telescope is tracking perfectly, otherwise stars will appear
HP feature is NOT required to get maximum enjoyment as ovals instead of pinpoints. This is done by setting the
out of the telescope. For an evening of simple visual LX200 keypad to the GUIDE speed, monitoring the star
observations, the “casual” alignment is all that is required. location (e.g. with an off-axis guider), and making small
Don’t let the pointing precision of the telescope become corrections to the telescope position by using the N, S, E,
more important than the fun of observing the night sky! and W keys.
The High-Precision Pointing mode requires the “critical” When making these corrections, the R.A. motor will speed
alignment, described above, to maximize the telescope’s up or slow down (by pressing the “E” and “W” keys). The
pointing ability. The LX200 default condition is with HP Declination motor, however, when activated (by pressing
disabled. To activate the HP mode, select the “hi- the “N” and “S” keys) will actually stop and reverse
precision” option from the TELESCOPE menu (option #9). direction. Because of backlash in the Declination motor
When selected, “HI-PRECISION” will change to upper gearbox, there will be a few seconds delay before the
case letters. telescope begins to move when reversing direction.
When HP is active, the LX200 automatically does several The Dec. backlash feature compensates for the Dec.
things whenever a GO TO is initiated. motor gearbox backlash and provides instant telescope
a. HP will search the alignment star database and find movement when the motor is reversed.
the three closest stars to the object (or position) To program the Dec. backlash, use this procedure:
entered. This process takes about 10 seconds and
the keypad will show Display 26: a. Move to option #11 from the TELESCOPE menu.
The keypad display will show:
Display 26
HI-PRECISION “’11) BACKLASH 00”
Searching. . . The “00” in the display shows the number of arc-
b. The telescope will slew to the nearest alignment seconds of backlash the LX200 is set to compensate
star. These are all bright (brighter than 3rd for (the default setting is 0 arc-seconds).
magnitude) stars and far enough apart to insure b. While observing a star at high power, time the
that there will only be one in the field of view. Declination movement delay when reversing the
The keypad display will show Display 27: motor directions (by pressing the “N” and “S” keys).
Typical values are 2 to 4 seconds.
Display 27 Center STAR XXX c. The GUIDE speed for the Declination motor is 15
then press GO TO arc-seconds per second. Therefore, multiply the
number of seconds delay by 15.
Using a reticle eyepiece, center the star in the field of
view. (Or center the star on the CCD chip if using a d. Press and hold the ENTER key for 1 second. The
CCD camera.) Press GO TO when the star is keypad will beep and a blinking cursor will appear on
centered. the keypad display. Enter the number determined in
 - 20 -
step c, above. Press ENTER when the number is Press the ENTER key and the hand control will display the
entered. first object in its finding sequence. This first object is
e. Check the time delay as described in step b. If there selected by the LX200, based off of where the instrument
is a delay, increase the compensation number. If is pointing in the sky when you entered START FIND. To
there is a slight jump when reversing direction, then point your LX200 to the object displayed, press the GO TO
the number is too large. key and it will slew to the object.
While in the START FIND option, you can either choose
When the compensation number is correct, the
the next object in line or skip it as you wish. In order to find
LX200 telescope will move almost instantly when
the next object in sequence, press the NEXT key, and the
reversing the direction in Declination. This
display will show the new CNGC object. If you do not wish
compensation feature also works in conjunction with
to view this object, press NEXT again. If you wish to return
popular CCD autoguiders, allowing for more
to a previously viewed object, press the PREV key until
accurate autoguiding.
the desired catalog number is displayed and press the GO
This number is stored in permanent memory and TO key. If you have set some limitations in the
should never need to be set again. PARAMETERS option, it will only find those objects within
your chosen confines.
b. OBJECT LIBRARY Menu File If you find that the object is not well centered in the
The OBJECT LIBRARY menu file is the other half of the eyepiece after executing a GO TO (due to poor leveling,
TELESCOPE/OBJECT LIBRARY mode. With it you can improper time input, or errors in site location), center the
become a tourist of the sky, or conduct research surveys of the object; then press and hold the ENTER key until the
64,359 objects. The LX200 Object Library is accessible in the display reads “Coordinates Matched.” This feature in
most results-getting, user friendly system ever designed for essence synchronizes the LX200 for an area of the sky, so
observers and astrophotographers. that the next object (if the leveling, time input, or site
The core library, essentially a “greatest hits of the sky,” location information is not corrected) will be better
encompasses eight planets of our solar system from Mercury centered, provided it is not too far away from the object
to Pluto, 351 stars (doubles, variables, pole stars), the entire that you matched coordinates to.
Messier catalog of 110 objects, 7840 of the finest galaxies, To exit the START FIND menu selection (and cease its
diffuse and planetary nebulae, and globular and open star operation) to the main menu, press MODE.
clusters
3. FIELD: Press the ENTER key to identify objects in the
The position epoch of these objects is for real time, updated field of view of the telescope. The LX200 will display the
each time you turn on your LX200. Even the planet’s positions object centered in the eyepiece field, and how many other
have their orbits calculated! This not only qualifies the LX200 NGC objects are in the field at the same time (defined by
as the most accurate integrated object library available, it will the RADIUS parameter setting) as shown in Display 28:
never require updated software for precession of the stars or
planetary orbital changes.
Display 28
Objects: 5
There are three primary ways to use the Object Library. You Center: CNGC 4438
can directly access the library by using the M, STAR, or CNGC
keys (see THE LX200 KEYPAD HAND CONTROLLER, page 14) and Press the ENTER button to reveal information about the
entering a specific catalog number, the START FIND option can object as shown in Display 29:
be used to logically find objects in organized strips of the sky
that can be custom tailored to only show the objects you wish Display 29
CNGC 4438 VG GAL
to see with a selection of object types, size brightness, etc., or MAG 10.1 SZ 9.3’
you can scan the sky and have the Object Library tell you what Display 29 is interpreted; COMPUTERIZED NEW
is in the field of view in the eyepiece by using the FIELD option. GENERAL CATALOG Object #4438, VERY GOOD,
Below is a description of the four OBJECT LIBRARY menu files GALAXY, MAGNITUDE 10.1, SIZE 9.3’ (in arc minutes).
and file options: Press ENTER again to read the coordinate location of the
To access the OBJECT LIBRARY menu file, move the arrow to object (notice the * legend next to RA coordinate number,
the OBJECT LIBRARY display by pressing the PREV or NEXT it indicates the catalog coordinates of the object, not
key while in the TELESCOPE/OBJECT LIBRARY mode and necessarily where the telescope is pointing) as shown in
press the ENTER key. Now you can access the four menu Display 30:
selections within the OBJECT LIBRARY by moving the arrow to RA = 12:27.2*
the desired menu selection by using the PREV or NEXT keys Display 30
and doing the following steps.
DEC = +13'03
1. OBJECT INFO: Press the ENTER key to read the type, Press ENTER once more to see physically how far your
brightness, size, and quality. Press ENTER again to read telescope will have to move to acquire the object entered.
the coordinates. Press ENTER once more to determine The display will show LED bars, each bar represents ten
how far off the telescope is pointing from the entered degrees of movement as shown in Display 31:
object (this is displayed in LCD bars, each bar is ten
degrees, or if it is on the object, no bars). This same Display 31 ■■■■
information can also be accessed at any time by pressing ■
the ENTER key for any object entered by the M, STAR, or
CNGC keys. Press MODE to exit to the main menu file. If you are centered on the object already, such as if you
2. START FIND: The START FIND option resources the are in the FIELD menu selection, or if you have already
CNGC objects within the Object Library and begins a made a GO TO command in one of the other methods for
logical search starting wherever the telescope is finding an object, the above display will be blank.
positioned when activated. To cover the entire visible sky To review any of the data of an object, continue to press
it will make 31 strip divisions about 12° wide, moving from ENTER until the desired field appears. You can use these
West to East, from the North Pole to the South Pole, then commands at any time that you have an object entered in
South to North. Once it has found all of the CNGC objects the keypad, while directly entering in specific objects by
it will repeat its sequence until new objects are visible. pressing the M, STAR, or CNGC keys, in the START FIND
 - 21 -
menu selection, the OBJECT INFORMATION menu so that your LX200 will not try to find objects below
selection, or the FIELD menu selection. your setting.
4. PARAMETERS: It is here that you can edit the Press Enter the number of degrees above the horizon that
ENTER to find eight options which can be reviewed by will clear the obstructions in the sky. To roughly judge
scrolling through this menu selection using the PREV or how many degrees the obstruction is taking up of the
NEXT key. To edit an option, move the arrow to the sky, merely hold your fist at arms length. Each fist
desired option and press and hold ENTER until a double diameter is approximately 5 degrees. So, if a tree is
beep is heard and a blinking cursor appears (except in the three fists high, you would make a setting of 15
BETTER option) Where numerical values are to be input, degrees in the HIGHER setting. Once the setting is
simply type them in from the keypad. If you make a finalized, press ENTER.
mistake, you can move the cursor backward using the W d. LOWER: The LOWER menu file option sets the
key, then re-enter the data. To exit to the main option zenith limit setting for the telescope. At power up, the
menu, press the ENTER key once again. A description of setting is 90 degrees, which assumes that you point
the eight options and how to set them is below: the telescope straight up. If, however, you have
a. TYPE GPDCO: This menu file option allows you to instruments on the telescope which will not clear the
select the type of CNGC objects that you wish to fork arms, or if you want to avoid the 10° Field De-
locate. GPDCO represent: Rotator limit, this setting can be used.
Enter the number of degrees from the zenith that you
OBJECT SYMBOL LEGEND
want to limit. Once the setting is finalized, press
SYMBOL DESCRIPTION ENTER.
G GALAXIES e. LARGER: The LARGER menu file option allows
P PLANETARY NEBULAE settings of the lower apparent size limit of the objects
D DIFFUSE NEBULAE you wish to see. At power up it is set to 000’ (arc
minutes). In order to make a decision as to the size
C GLOBULAR STAR CLUSTERS
limits that you may impose, it helps to have a clear
O OPEN STAR CLUSTERS understanding of exactly what an arc minute of sky
is. A good example is the apparent size of the Moon,
Initially, the blinking cursor appears over the G
which could be expressed as 1/2 of a degree, 30 arc
symbol. If you decide not to look for galaxies, press
minutes, or 1800 arc seconds. Each arc minute is 60
NEXT and the symbol will change from an upper
arc seconds, and there are 60 arc minutes for each
case letter (G) to a lower case letter (g), to deselect
degree of sky.
the GALAXIES category. If you wish to leave
GALAXIES selected, then move the blinking cursor Some beginning observers have a tough time
over to one of the other category symbols by discerning objects less than about 1 arc minute in
pressing the W or E key on the keypad. You can then size unless it is a double star or a planet.
deselect the undesired categories. Astrophotographers and those involved with CCD
imaging may want to set a higher value based on the
If you wish to recall a category symbol, move the
desired image scale coverage that would be most
blinking cursor over the symbol and press the PREV
impressive with different types of films or CCD
key. After your selections are made, press ENTER.
cameras. Enter the new value in arc minutes, then
b. BETTER: The BETTER menu file option allows you press ENTER to exit to the option file.
to define the visual object quality range. At power up,
f. SMALLER: This menu option is the upper size object
the range is set at the bottom of the scale on VP,
limit. At power up the setting is for 200 arc minutes or
when using the START FIND menu selection, it will
3.33 degrees. This setting is high enough to cover
select all objects that are very poor through super or
the largest objects in the OBJECT LIBRARY. You
what could be considered an “ALL” setting. The
may want to lower the value because of true field-of-
object quality symbols are:
view limitations of a particular eyepiece (see the
QUALITY SYMBOL LEGEND RADIUS parameter option for calculating true field).

SYMBOL DESCRIPTION Other reasons for limiting the value in SMALLER is

for astrophotographic or CCD imaging requirements
SU SUPER where we don’t want the object to exceed the
EX EXCELLENT imaging area of the film or the CCD chip.
VG VERY GOOD g. BRIGHTER: The lower brightness limits based on
G GOOD stellar magnitude can be limited in the BRIGHTER
FR FAIR menu. At power up, the magnitude value is set to a
PR POOR very faint level of +20.0.
VP VERY POOR You may want to adjust the magnitude level to a
brighter value starting at perhaps the limiting visual
If you wish to define the object quality range to Very
magnitude of your LX200, which is approximately
Good and better, press the ENTER key until the
15.5 for the 16” LX200. If you are taking
symbol VG is displayed. From the VP setting to VG
astrophotographs, the limiting magnitude is about
requires three ENTER key presses. The LX200 will
18.0. Sky conditions also greatly affect the limiting
now select objects that look Very Good through
magnitude due to atmospheric haze, high clouds,
Super.
light pollution, or combinations thereof.
c. HIGHER: The Higher menu file option sets the
h. FAINTER: The upper level of brightness may also be
horizon setting for the telescope. At power up, the
adjusted with the FAINTER menu file option,
setting is 00 degrees, which assumes that you have
although you may find few applications for limiting it
an unobstructed line-of-site to the horizon in every
to a lower value.
direction. If, however, there are things obstructing a
level horizon, or if the sky quality is poor due to haze i. RADIUS: The RADIUS value sets the boundaries of
or light pollution, you can set an artificial horizon level what and how many objects the LX200 recognizes is
 - 22 -
in a given eyepiece while in the FIELD menu. At your LX200 knows no bounds, any celestial object, including
power up the RADIUS menu file option is set to 15 comets, asteroids, etc. are easily found, provided you have
arc minutes, the radius of 1/2 a degree (30 arc accurate coordinate data to refer to.
minutes), which is about the proper setting for a To enter a new pointing position in Right Ascension and
26mm eyepiece used in an 8" f/10 LX200. Declination, press the GO TO key and a double beep will be
To calculate the true field of an eyepiece in the heard followed by a blinking cursor that will appear over the RA
telescope, first divide the focal length of the = coordinate numbers. At this point, type in the new Right
telescope (e.g., 2000mm for an 8" f/10) by the focal Ascension coordinate numbers, then press the ENTER key.
length of the eyepiece (the standard supplied You will then notice that the blinking cursor is over the DEC =
eyepiece is a 26mm Super Plössl, 2000 divided by coordinate numbers. Enter the new Declination coordinate
26 equals 77X magnification). Then find the apparent numbers, then press the ENTER key and the LX200 will slew
field of the eyepiece (which is 52 degrees for the to the new coordinate position.
26mm Super Plössl) and divide it by the
You can also slew to ALTAZ coordinates from the ALTAZ
magnification (52 divided by 77 equals 0.67 degrees,
display as described above.
multiplied by 60 equals 40.2 arc minutes).
If you need to enter a minus Declination setting, move the
To get the radius of the true field of view, divide the
blinking cursor over the + symbol with the W key and then
true field by 2. In the case of the above equation,
press the NEXT key to get the - (minus) symbol, then move the
40.2 arc minutes divided by 2 equals 20.1 arc
blinking cursor to the first number with the E key and enter the
minutes.
new coordinate numbers. If you are already at a minus (-)
2. Mode Two: COORDINATES/GO TO Declination setting and wish to enter a plus (+) declination
Mode Two allows you to see where you have pointed the setting, follow the same instructions as above but press the
LX200 in two celestial coordinate formats, either R.A. and Dec. PREV key instead to get the + symbol.
or Altazimuth. Also in this mode you can enter new Right
Ascension and Declination coordinates for any sky position, 3. Mode Three: CLOCK/CALENDAR
perhaps to locate objects not in the LX200 library such as The continuously operating clock and calendar is the life pulse
comets or asteroids and have your telescope slew to the new of your LX200. At power up, the telescope’s sidereal clock
coordinates. automatically allows the system computer to make orbital
calculations of the planets, and correct stellar precession for
a. Coordinates Menu File superior pointing ability.
You will at first see the RA = and DEC = coordinates of where
Your accurate initial input of local time and date, with its long-
the telescope is pointing. If you move the LX200 with the N, S,
life lithium battery back-up, need not be re-entered every time
W, or E keys, the coordinates display will immediately update
you use the LX200, thus enhancing the user friendly aspects of
the new position in Right Ascension and Declination.
the instrument.
You can also display computed information of the Altazimuth
To set the local time and date and to enter the correct GMT
coordinates (ALT = and AZ =) by pressing the ENTER key. To
offset (see QUICK START, page 9). Be sure to use your local
return to RA = and DEC =, press the ENTER key again.
hour setting appropriately in either 12 hour or 24 hour format as
The RA = display is broken down into hours, minutes, and predetermined by the 12/24 HOUR TELESCOPE menu file
tenths of a minute, and the DEC = display is broken down into option.
+ for North Declination and - for South Declination into degrees
The long-life lithium battery (Panasonic CR2032 3 vDC or
and minutes as shown in Display 32:
Duracell DL2032B) is stored behind the power panel of the
Drive Base (see Behind the Power Panel, page 53 for battery
Display 32 RA = 02:45.9 replacement information).
DEC = +22'54
4. Mode Four: TIMER/FREQ
If you have made an ALTAZ style of alignment, the ALT = and
AZ = coordinate display is formatted so that 0 degrees azimuth
a. TIMER = Menu Option
(AZ =) is due South that increases to up to 359 degrees and 59 The TIMER = menu option is for accurately timing different
minutes moving clockwise, or from due South moving Westerly. observing or imaging tasks for up to 12 hours long. Counting
altitude (ALT =) is formatted so that straight overhead is +90 down to zero, in the hours, minutes, and seconds format, it will
degrees and 00 minutes, decreasing to +00 degrees, and 00 give a pleasant beeping tone to notify you that the time is up.
minutes as you move the telescope level with the horizon, and To set the TIMER, move the arrow to TIMER = 00:00:00. Then
then as the LX200 moves below +00.00 it will give minus press and hold the ENTER key to get the double beep tone and
altitude readings. The Altazimuth coordinate display is shown in the blinking cursor. Enter the number of hours, minutes, and
Display 33: seconds that you require. If you need to correct an error in
entry, use the E and W keys to move the blinking cursor and
Display 33
ALT = +72'50 then type in the correct information. After entry, press the
AZ = 158'10 ENTER key again and the cursor will delete. When you are
ready to start your time count-down, press the ENTER key
While in ALTAZ, you will find during slewing in one direction, once more. To pause the count-down press ENTER again, and
that both the RA = and DEC = display will change at the same then again to resume.
time, while the ALT = and the AZ = display will only change in
If you want an automatic 12 hour countdown, press the ENTER
the direction that the telescope is being slewed. It is also
key without holding. Then press ENTER to countdown.
important to note that only the Declination setting circle (3, Fig.
1) will give a correct reading. The R.A. setting circle (10, Fig. 1) b. FREQ = Menu File
will only give correct readings in the POLAR setting (see
FREQ = (Frequency) allows you to adjust the tracking speed
APPENDIX B, page 29).
(not slew speed) of the LX200 digitally in tenths of a hertz from
b. GO TO Menu Option 56.4 Hz to 60.1 Hz, so that you can match virtually every
The GO TO menu option, allows you to enter new Right celestial motion in the sky. Some popular drive rate settings
Ascension and Declination coordinates of any object in the sky, are:
so that the LX200 will slew to the new position. With this ability,
 - 23 -
FREQ RATE DESCRIPTION NOTES
60.1 Hz Q Sidereal rate; Default rate at
Quartz setting power up. Gives
sidereal frequency
accuracy to ±.005%;
Best for astrophotos
60.0 Hz Solar and Average rate for
planetary rate tracking planets;
Actual rates vary due
to retrogrades,
oppositions, etc.
57.9 Hz Lunar rate Best rate for
tracking the Moon

There are three menu file options in FREQ =. To see or set the
options, move the arrow to FREQ = and press ENTER. At
power up, the FREQ = default is the 60.1Hz Q setting. The
quartz rate is precisely fixed and cannot be altered. To choose
a different rate, press the ENTER key to see 60.1 M and then
again to see 60.1 M with the up and down arrow. These two
menu file options can adjust the tracking speeds. The
adjustment techniques are described below:
Display 34 shows the manual rate menu file option that can be
adjusted by pressing and holding the ENTER key to get the
double beep tone and the blinking cursor. Type in the new rate,
then when finished, press the ENTER key again.

Display 34 FREQ = 60.1 M

Display 35 shows the menu file option that allows you to step
the drive tracking frequency setting in tenths of a hertz, by
using the PREV and NEXT (up and down arrow) keys. This is
a convenient feature if you are trying to match the precise
speed of a planet, comet, or any other non-stellar object. To exit
this option, press the MODE key.

Display 35 FREQ = 60.1M ↕

5. Mode Five: KEYPAD OFF/BRIGHTNESS ADJUST

In order to see very faint objects, it will sometimes be
necessary to either dim or completely turn off the keypad red
LCD backlighting. To do so press the MODE button until the
display goes blank. This is the OFF option.
To set the keypad brightness, press the ENTER button and
adjust the brightness to your satisfaction with the PREV and
NEXT keys. To exit, press the MODE key.
This brightness setting also dims the power panel power LED
and Ammeter.
NOTE: The backlighting is done by edge lighting a plastic light
bar underneath the keypad. Four LEDs are used and do not
give a perfectly even backlighting of the keys as keys closer to
a LED will be a little brighter than those keys further away.
 - 24 -
MAGNIFICATION AND FIELD OF VIEW bright, clearly resolved but smaller image will show far more
detail than a dimmer, poorly resolved larger image.
1. Magnification
Because of certain characteristics of the human eye (in
The magnification (power) of the telescope depends on two
particular, eye pupil diameter) and because of optical
characteristics: the focal length of the main telescope and the
considerations inherent in the design of a telescope, there
focal length of the eyepiece used during a particular
exists minimum practical powers. Generally speaking, the
observation. For example, the focal length of the LX200 7” f/15
lowest usable power is approximately 4X per inch of telescope
telescope is fixed at 2670mm; the focal length of the 8” f/10
aperture, or about 28X in the case of the 7” telescope. During
telescope is fixed at 2000mm; the focal length of the 10” f/10
the daytime, when human eye pupil diameter is reduced, the
telescope is fixed at 2500mm; and the focal length of the 12”
minimum practical power with the 8” LX200 is increased to
f/10 telescope is fixed at 3048mm. To calculate the power in
about 60X, to about 75X with the 10” LX200, and to about 90X
use with a particular eyepiece, divide the focal length of the
with the 12” LX200; powers lower than this level should be
eyepiece into the focal length of the main telescope.
avoided during daytime observations. A reasonable
Example: The power obtained with the 8” LX200 with the magnification range for daytime terrestrial observations
SP 26mm eyepiece is: through the 7” LX200 is from about 70X to 180X, 8” LX200 is
from about 80X to 190X, through the 10” LX200 from about
2000mm 100X to 200X, and the 12” LX200 from 120X to 240X. It should
Power = ________ = 77X
26mm be noted, however, that the higher magnifications may not be
used due to atmospheric distortion caused by heat, moisture,
The type of eyepiece (whether MA “Modified Achromatic,” PL
and particulate matter suspended in the air.
“Plössl,” SP “Super Plössl,” etc.) has no bearing on magnifying
power but does affect such optical characteristics as field of Accessories are available both to increase and decrease the
view, flatness of field and color correction. operating eyepiece power of the telescope. See your Meade
dealer and the latest Meade Catalog for information on
The maximum practical magnification is determined by the
accessories.
nature of the object being observed and, most importantly, by
the prevailing atmospheric conditions. Under very steady 2. Apparent Field and Actual Field
atmospheric “seeing,” the 7” LX200 may be used at powers up Two terms that are often confused and misunderstood are
to about 450X on astronomical objects, the 8” LX200 may be “Apparent Field” and “Actual Field.” “Apparent Field” is a
used at powers up to about 500X, the 10” LX200 up to about function of the eyepiece design and is built into the eyepiece.
600X, and the 12” LX200 up to about 750X. Generally, While not totally accurate (but a very good approximation),
however, lower powers of perhaps 250X to 350X will be the “Apparent Field” is usually thought of as the angle your eye
maximum permissible, consistent with high image resolution. sees when looking through an eyepiece. “Actual Field” is the
When unsteady air conditions prevail (as witnessed by rapid amount of the sky that you actually see and is a function of the
“twinkling” of the stars), extremely high-power eyepieces result eyepiece being used and the telescope.
in “empty magnification,” where the object detail observed is
actually diminished by the excessive power. The “Actual Field” of a telescope with a given eyepiece is
calculated by dividing the “Apparent Field” of the eyepiece by
When beginning observations on a particular object, start with the power obtained using that eyepiece.
a low power eyepiece; get the object well-centered in the field
of view and sharply focused; then try the next step up in The table below lists the most common eyepieces available
magnification. If the image starts to become fuzzy as you work and the “Apparent Field” for each. The power and “Actual Field”
into higher magnifications, then back down to a lower power — of view that each eyepiece yields is listed for each basic
the atmospheric steadiness is not sufficient to support high telescope optical design.
powers at the time you are observing. Keep in mind that a

7” f/15 8” f/6.3 10” f/6.3 8” f/10 10” f/10 12” f/10

Eyepiece/Apparent Field Power/Actual Field Power/Actual Field Power/Actual Field Power/Actual Field Power/Actual Field Power/Actual Field
Super Plössl Eyepieces (5-elements; 1.25” O.D., except as noted)
6.4mm/52° 417/0.12° 200/0.26° 250/0.21° 313/0.17° 391/0.13° 476/0.11°
9.7mm/52° 275/0.19° 132/0.39° 165/0.32° 206/0.25° 258/0.20° 314/0.17°
12.4mm/52° 215/0.24° 103/0.50° 129/0.40° 161/0.32° 202/0.26° 246/0.21°
15mm/52° 178/0.29° 85/0.61° 107/0.49° 133/0.39° 167/0.31° 203/0.26°
20mm/52° 134/0.39° 64/0.81° 80/0.65° 100/0.52° 125/0.42° 152/0.34°
26mm/52° 103/0.50° 49/1.06° 62/0.84° 77/0.68° 96/0.54° 117/0.44°
32mm/52° 83/0.63° 40/1.30° 50/1.04° 63/0.83° 78/0.67° 95/0.55°
40mm/44° 67/0.66° 32/1.69° 40/1.35° 50/0.88° 63/0.70° 76/0.53°
56mm/52° (2" O.D.) 48/1.08° 23/2.27° 29/1.82° 36/1.46° 45/1.16° 54/1.04°
Super Wide Angle Eyepieces (6-elements; 1.25” O.D., except as noted)
13.8mm/67° 193/0.35° 93/0.72° 116/0.58° 145/0.46° 181/0.37° 221/0.30°
18mm/67° 148/0.45° 71/0.94° 89/0.75° 111/0.60° 139/0.48° 169/0.40°
24.5mm/67° 109/0.61° 52/1.28° 65/103° 82/0.82° 102/0.66° 124/0.54°
32mm/67° (2" O.D.) 83/0.81° 40/1.67° 50/1.34° 63/1.07° 78/0.86° 95/0.71°
40mm/67° (2" O.D.) 67/1.00° 32/2.09° 40/1.67° 50/1.34° 63/1.07° 76/0.88°
Ultra Wide Angle Eyepieces (8-elements; 1.25” O.D., except as noted)
4.7mm/84° 568/0.15° 272/0.31° 340/0.25° 426/0.20° 532/0.16° 649/0.13°
6.7mm/84° 399/0.21° 191/0.44° 239/0.35° 299/0.28° 373/0.23° 455/0.18°
8.8mm/84° (1.25” - 2” O.D.) 303/0.28° 145/0.58° 182/0.46° 227/0.37° 284/0.30° 346/0.24°
14mm/84° (1.25” - 2” O.D.) 199/0.44° 91/0.92° 114/0.73° 143/0.59° 179/0.47° 218/0.39°
 - 25 -
APPENDIX A: EQUATORIAL WEDGE
There are two equatorial wedges used on Meade LX200
telescopes. Please read the section, below, that applies to your Wedge Body
telescope.
Tripod Head
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 (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. Fig. 9: Azimuth Control.
a. Azimuth Control
1 The azimuth control(Fig. 9) for the Meade equatorial wedge
and field tripod is shipped in a plastic bag and includes the
2 following parts:
5
• Azimuth base (large U shaped piece of aluminum)
• Azimuth arm (small T shaped piece of aluminum)
• 2 - Azimuth knobs
4 6 • 2 - 8-32 x 1/2" flat-head machine screws
• 2 - 8-32 x 1" round-head machine screws
7 To attach the azimuth control to your wedge and tripod, follow
3 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.
Fig. 8: Equatorial Wedge for 7” and 8” LX200 Telescope. 8-32 x 1" round-head machine screws.
(1) Tilt Plate; (2) Attachment Knob; (3) Latitude Scale;
(4) Wedge Body; (5) Tilt Angle Adjustment Knob; (6) Fine 4. Thread the two azimuth adjustment knobs into the
Latitude Adjustment Mechanism; (7) Bubble Level. azimuth base, until they just touch the azimuth arm.
The azimuth control is now ready to use. To adjust in azimuth,
The equatorial wedge for the 7" and 8" LX200 telescope is of loosen the 3" central wedge knob. Rotate the wedge by using
modern design, with several important features incorporated to the two azimuth knobs in a push-pull manner. After positioning
simplify and facilitate telescope operation. After using the the wedge, tighten the central wedge knob.
wedge, you will find that the functional design features included
are of very significant value in routine telescope operations. b. Deluxe Latitude Adjuster
Features included are: The deluxe latitude adjuster (DLA) attaches directly to the
equatorial wedge and permits very precise adjustments in
• Attachment of the wedge to the field tripod by means of
latitude angle by the simple turning of one knob.
only one manual knob.
The equatorial wedge for Meade 7" or 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain
• Quick azimuth adjustment by loosening the manual knob
telescope is shipped with the main crossbar of the DLA already
as described above.
installed. Loosen the two socket-head screws that lock the
• Bubble level for rapid tripod/wedge leveling. main crossbar in place, to allow the crossbar to rotate slightly if
• Etched latitude scale for fast adjustment of the latitude needed. Thread the long adjustment knob (3, Fig. 14) into the
angle. main crossbar and position the end of the adjustment knob into
the cavity on the underside of the equatorial wedge tilt-plate.
To assemble the equatorial wedge, follow this procedure (note Tighten the two socket-head screws locking the main crossbar
that all required wedge hardware and manual knobs are into place.
shipped within the wedge carton):
The DLA is now ready to use. To make fine latitude
a. The wedge consists of two basic parts: the tilt plate and adjustments, follow this procedure:
wedge body (1 and 4, Fig. 8). Attach the tilt-plate to the
wedge body by threading in the four knobs provided. Two 1. Slightly loosen the knobs (5, Fig. 8), on each side of the
knobs, with washers, should be used on each side of the wedge.
wedge body so that a total of 4 knobs attach the tilt plate 2. Turn the DLA’s adjustment knob (pressing against the
to the wedge body. bottom of the tilt-plate), so that the tilt-plate moves in
b. Place the wedge onto the field tripod with the central latitude angle.
threaded rod of the tripod fitting through the center hole in 3. Re-tighten the two knobs, which were loosened in step 1,
the floor of the wedge. Thread the 2-1/2" diameter manual above.
knob onto the threaded rod of the tripod and firmly tighten
NOTE: When installing the tilt-plate to the wedge, note that it is
the manual knob.
a tight fit and the sides must generally spread slightly to accept
 - 26 -
the tilt-plate. If the main crossbar of the DLA is already c. Holding the threaded rod in position, place the
tightened into place this will inhibit your installation of the tilt- Superwedge on top of the tripod head so that the threaded
plate. You will therefore see that by releasing the screws on the stud extending from the tripod head passes through the
ends of the DLA crossbar your installation of the wedge tilt- center hole on the wedge floor. Make sure the pin
plate will be facilitated. extending from the bottom of the azimuth thrust bar is
positioned in the slot on the tangent arm (see Fig. 11a.,
2. SUPERWEDGE (For 10" and 12"LX200) above).
The Superwedge permits use of the 10" and 12" LX200 d. Install the large hand knob/compass onto the threaded
telescope in an astronomical, or “equatorial,” mode. The wedge stud. Pass the three 5\16-18 X 1-1/4" button head screws
fits onto the field tripod, described below, and accepts the base through the clearance slots on the wedge floor and thread
of the 10" and 12" LX200 fork mount (Fig. 10). them into the tripod head.
NOTE: The Meade Superwedge is designed solely for use in e. The lower tilt plate locking screws (3, Fig. 11) are installed
conjunction with the Meade field tripod. The Superwedge in the factory to allow the tilt plate to be adjusted for any
should never be used without the field tripod (e.g., by placing latitude greater than 25 degrees and less than 55
the Superwedge alone on a table top and then mounting the degrees. If viewing in a region with a latitude greater than
telescope on the wedge). The 10" and 12" LX200, placed onto 55 degrees, move the locking bolts to the lower mounting
the Superwedge alone without the field tripod attached to the holes (4, Fig. 11).
wedge may become seriously imbalanced, to the point where
the telescope may actually tip over.

1
3 4
2
5

4 8
Meade

7 1
6

3
2

9 Fig. 11: Mounting Superwedge. (1) Azimuth Thrust Bar Pin;

(2) Tangent Arm; (3) Lower Tilt Plate Locking Screws;
Fig. 10: Superwedge for 10” LX200 Telescope. (1) Tilt Plate;
(4) Lower Mounting Holes.
(2) Attachment Screw; (3) Latitude Scale; (4) Wedge Body;
(5) Tilt Angle Adjustment Screw; (6) Vernier Pointer;
(7) Bubble Level; (8) Fine Latitude Control Knob; (9) Azimuth
3. Mounting the Telescope On the Wedge
Control Knob. With 7" or 8" LX200 telescopes, three knobs are supplied for
mounting the telescope’s drive base to the tilt-plate of the
The Superwedge for the 10" and 12" LX200 telescope is of equatorial wedge. With the 10" and 12" LX200, three socket
modern design, with several important features incorporated to screws are provided for this purpose.
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 2
• Attachment of the Superwedge to the field tripod by
means of only one manual knob. (For photographic
applications with the telescope where extreme steadiness
3
is required, 3 additional hex-head screws are provided).
• Quick azimuth adjustment by loosening the manual knob
as described above.
• Bubble level for rapid tripod/wedge leveling.
• Etched latitude scale for fast adjustment of the latitude
angle. 4
• Built-in latitude adjustment control. 5
To assemble the Superwedge, follow this procedure (note that
all required wedge hardware and manual knobs are shipped
within the wedge carton):
a. 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 Fig. 12: Mounting to the Equatorial Wedge. (1) Drive Base
screws. (See Fig. 11a., below.) Attachment Knob; (2) Telescope Drive Base; (3) Slot for
Attachment Knob; (4) Additional Attachment Knob Holes;
b. Push the field tripod threaded rod up so that the threaded
(5) Attachment Knob/Compass.
rod extends above the top of the tripod head.
 - 27 -
4. Magnetic Compass
1 2 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.
a. Setting Magnetic Declination
1 In order to obtain an accurate reading using the compass, you
1 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)
Fig. 13: Underside of Drive Base. (1) Wedge Attachment
Holes; (2) Azimuth Attachment Hole (1/2-13 thread). 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)
4 is lined up with the desired Magnetic Declination angle on
2 the declination scale. Notice that East Magnetic
Declination is to the right of the “North” position and West
Magnetic Declination is left. As an example, Fig. 16 shows
the correct setting for 16 degrees West Declination, which
covers Providence, Rhode Island.
20° E — Declination — W
25°
30°
1 1 40°
50°
60°
50°

6 6
40°

3 30°

25°
22°
24°
21°
Fig. 14: Telescope on Wedge. (1) Tilt Plate Attachment 20° 23°
19° 22°
Knobs; (2) Telescope to Tilt Plate Attachment Knobs; (3) 21°
18° 20°
Deluxe Latitude Control (DLC) Knob; (4) Altazimuth 19°
18°
17°
Attachment Hole; (5) DLC Main Crossbar; (6) DLC Crossbar 17°
16°
16° 15°
Attachment Screws. 14°
13°
15°
Thread one of these knobs (or screws, as appropriate) partially 12°
14° 11°
into the hole on the underside of the drive base, located at the 10°
13° 9°
curved-end of the drive base (4, Fig. 12). This knob or screw 8°
12° 7°
should be threaded in about 3 full turns, not fully threaded into 6°
5°
the hole. 11° 3°
4°
2°
1°
Check that the knobs or bolts at the side of the wedge (5, Fig. 8 1°
0°
2°
or 5, Fig. 10), are firmly tightened before placing the telescope 10° 3°
6° 5° 4°
onto the wedge. 9° 8°
7°

Grasping the 2 fork arms of the telescope firmly, with the power Fig. 15: Magnetic Declination Map.
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 b. Compass Installation
12" LX200) into the slot at the top of the curved-end of the The Magnetic Compass is now set for the correct declination
wedge tilt-plate. angle. To attach to the equatorial wedge, follow these steps:
Insert the 2 remaining knobs for the 7" and 8" LX200, or socket 1. Snap the Magnetic Compass into the 3" diameter wedge
screws for the 10" and 12" LX200, through the underside of the attachment knob (after setting the Magnetic Declination as
tilt plate and into the underside of the drive base. Tighten down described above). Position the compass into the knob so
all 3 knobs or screws to a firm feel. Extreme force is not that the 360 degree location on the direction scale (the
necessary in this regard. “North” position) lines up with one of the nine points of the
knobs. (See Fig. 16.) Press the compass firmly into the
The telescope is now fully mounted onto the wedge and field
knob.
tripod. Adjustments in wedge latitude angle and/or azimuth
orientation may be made with the telescope in place. Further 2. Assemble the equatorial wedge onto the field tripod as
details on telescope polar alignment see APPENDIX B, page 30. described in the Instruction Manual using the
knob/compass combination to attach the wedge to the
tripod.
 - 28 -
2. Rotate the knob/compass so that the magnetic pointing
16° West Point of knob and arrow lies directly over the painted black alignment arrow
Declination “North” line up (painted on the bottom surface of the compass, Fig. 18).
The “North” position on the direction scale (and the point
N Magnetic on the knob/compass) now point directly north.
Pointing
W Arrow Magnetic

E
Centerline of wedge North

W E
True
W
North

N
S

E
Orienting Arrow

E
Fig. 16: Magnetic Compass.
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.
Magnetic
Centerline of wedge North Fig. 18: Equatorial Wedge.

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
N
centerline of the equatorial wedge now falls directly on the
W
true north line.
E

W
E Magnetic
S
North

W
W

True
N
E
North
S

and
E

center-
line of
wedge

Fig. 17: Equatorial Wedge.

Fig. 19: Equatorial Wedge.

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.
 - 29 -
APPENDIX B: EQUATORIAL USE effect, to read the object coordinates and the object found
without resorting to visual location techniques. However, these
1. Celestial Coordinates setting circles may be used to advantage only if the telescope
Celestial objects are mapped according to a coordinate system is first properly aligned with the North Celestial Pole.
on the Celestial Sphere, an imaginary sphere surrounding
Earth on which all stars appear to be placed. This celestial 2. Lining Up with the Celestial Pole
object mapping system is analogous to the Earth-based Objects in the sky appear to revolve around the celestial pole.
coordinate system of latitude and longitude. (Actually, celestial objects are essentially “fixed,” and their
The poles of the celestial coordinate system are defined as apparent motion is caused by the Earth’s axial rotation). During
those two points where the Earth’s rotational axis, if extended any 24 hour period, stars make one complete revolution about
to infinity, north and south, intersect the celestial sphere. Thus, the pole, making concentric circles with the pole at the center.
the North Celestial Pole (1, Fig. 20) is that point in the sky By lining up the telescope’s polar axis with the North Celestial
where an extension of the Earth’s axis through the North Pole Pole (or for observers located in Earth’s Southern Hemisphere
intersects the celestial sphere. This point in the sky is located with the South Celestial Pole (see MODE FUNCTIONS, page 16)
near the North Star, Polaris. astronomical objects may be followed, or tracked, simply by
moving the telescope about one axis, the polar axis. In the case
In mapping the surface of the Earth, lines of longitude are
of the Meade LX200 7", 8", 10", and 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain
drawn between the North and South Poles. Similarly, lines of
telescopes, this tracking may be accomplished automatically
latitude are drawn in an east-west direction, parallel to the
with the electric motor drive.
Earth’s Equator. The Celestial Equator (2, Fig. 20) is a
projection of the Earth’s Equator onto the celestial sphere. If the telescope is reasonably well aligned with the pole,
therefore, very little use of the telescope’s Declination slow
Just as on the surface of the Earth, in mapping the celestial
motion control is necessary—virtually all of the required
sphere, imaginary lines have been drawn to form a coordinate
telescope tracking will be in Right Ascension. (If the telescope
grid. Thus, object positions on the Earth’s surface are specified
were perfectly aligned with the pole, no Declination tracking of
by their latitude and longitude. For example, you could locate
stellar objects would be required). For the purposes of casual
Los Angeles, California, by its latitude (+34°) and longitude
visual telescopic observations, lining up the telescope’s polar
(118°); similarly, you could locate the constellation Ursa Major
axis to within a degree or two of the pole is more than sufficient:
(which includes the Big Dipper) by its general position on the
with this level of pointing accuracy, the telescope’s motor drive
celestial sphere:
will track accurately and keep objects in the telescopic field of
R.A.: 11hr; Dec: +50°.
view for perhaps 20 to 30 minutes.
• Right Ascension: The celestial analog to Earth longitude
Begin polar aligning the telescope as soon as you can see
is called “Right Ascension,” or “R.A.,” and is measured in
Polaris. Finding Polaris is simple. Most people recognize the
time on the 24 hour “clock” and shown in hours (“hr”),
“Big Dipper.” The Big Dipper has two stars that point the way to
minutes (“min”) and seconds (“sec”) from an arbitrarily
Polaris (see Fig. 21). Once Polaris is found, it is a
defined “zero” line of Right Ascension passing through the
straightforward procedure to obtain a rough polar alignment.
constellation Pegasus. Right Ascension coordinates range
from 0hr 0min 0sec to 23hr 59min 59sec. Thus there are
24 primary lines of R.A., located at 15 degree intervals
along the celestial equator. Objects located further and Little Dipper
further east of the prime Right Ascension grid line (0hr
Polaris
0min 0sec) carry increasing R.A. coordinates.
• Declination: The celestial analog to Earth latitude is called
Declination, or “Dec”, and is measured in degrees,
minutes and seconds (e.g., 15° 27' 33"). Declination
shown as north of the celestial equator is indicated with a Big Dipper
Cassiopeia
“+” sign in front of the measurement (e.g., the Declination
of the North Celestial Pole is +90°), with Declination south Fig. 21: Locating Polaris.
of the celestial equator indicated with a “–” sign (e.g., the
Declination of the South Celestial Pole is –90°). Any point To line up the 7", 8", 10" or 12" LX200 with the Pole, follow this
on the celestial equator itself (which, for example, passes procedure:
through the constellations Orion, Virgo and Aquarius) is a. Using the bubble level located on the floor of the wedge,
specified as having a Dec of zero, shown as 0° 0' 0". adjust the tripod legs so that the telescope/ wedge/tripod
With all celestial objects therefore capable of being specified in system reads “level.”
position by their celestial coordinates of Right Ascension and b. Set the equatorial wedge to your observing latitude as
Declination, the task of finding objects (in particular, faint described in Appendix A.
objects) is vastly simplified. The setting circles, R.A (10, Fig. 1) c. Loosen the Dec. lock, and rotate the telescope tube in
and Dec. (3, Fig. 1) of the LX200 telescope may be dialed, in Declination so that the telescope’s Declination reads 90°.
Tighten the Dec. lock. Loosen the R.A. lock, and rotate the
Fork Arms to the 00 H.A. position (see MODE FUNCTIONS,
North
1 Celestial Pole page 16) and initiate the POLAR align sequence on the
keypad.
(Vicinity of Polaris) d. Using the azimuth and latitude controls on the wedge,
center Polaris in the field of view. Do not use the
telescope’s Declination or Right Ascension controls during
this process.
2 At this point, your polar alignment is good enough for casual
observations. There are times, however, when you will need to
have precise polar alignment, such as when making fine
astrophotographs or when using the setting circles to find new
Fig. 20: The Celestial Sphere. objects.
 - 30 -
As an aside procedure, during your first use of the telescope, should be located within ±30 minutes in R.A. of the
you should check the calibration of the Declination setting meridian and within ±5° of the celestial equator. (Pointing
circle (3, Fig. 1), located at the top of each side of the fork. the telescope at a star that is straight up, with the
After performing the polar alignment procedure, center the Declination set to 0°, will point the telescope in the right
star Polaris in the telescope field. Remove the knurled direction.)
central hub of the Declination setting circle and slightly c. Note the extent of the star’s drift in Declination (disregard
loosen the two bolts located under the knob. Now turn the drift in Right Ascension):
circle unit until it reads 89.2°, the Declination of Polaris, and a. If the star drifts South (or down), the telescope’s
then tighten down the two bolts and replace the knurled polar axis is pointing too far East (Fig. 22).
knob. Also realize, should you wish to use the manual setting
b. If the star drifts North (or up), the telescope’s polar
circles, that the R.A. setting circle (10, Fig. 1) must be
axis is pointing too far West (Fig. 23).
calibrated on the Right Ascension of a star (see APPENDIX C,
page 31) manually every time the telescope is set up. The d. Move the wedge in azimuth (horizontally) to effect the
R.A. setting circle has two sets of numbers, the inner set is appropriate change in polar alignment. Reposition the
for Southern hemisphere use, while the other is for Northern telescope’s East-West polar axis orientation until there is
hemisphere use. no further North-South drift by the star. Track the star for
a period of time to be certain that its Declination drift has
Once the latitude angle of the wedge has been fixed and ceased. (Please note that Figs. 22, 23, 24, and 25 show
locked-in according to the above procedure, it is not necessary the telescope pointed in the 90 degree position, and not
to repeat this operation each time the telescope is used, unless the 0 degree position that is required for “Drift” method
you move a considerable distance North or South from your alignment. This is done to illustrate the position of the pole
original observing position. (Approximately 70 miles movement star relative to the polar axis of the telescope.)
in North-South observing position is equivalent to 1° in latitude
e. Next, point the telescope at another moderately bright star
change). The wedge may be detached from the field tripod and,
near the Eastern horizon, but still near the celestial
as long as the latitude angle setting is not altered and the field
equator. For best results, the star should be about 20° or
tripod is leveled, it will retain the correct latitude setting when
30° above the Eastern horizon and within ± 5° of the
replaced on the tripod.
celestial equator.
3. Precise Polar Alignment f. Again note the extent of the star’s drift in Declination:
It should be emphasized that precise alignment of the a. If the star drifts South, (or down) the telescope’s
telescope’s polar axis to the celestial pole for casual visual polar axis is pointing too low (Fig. 24).
observations is not necessary. Don’t allow a time-consuming b. If the star drifts North, (or up) the telescope’s polar
effort at lining up with the pole to interfere with your basic axis is pointing too high (Fig. 25).
enjoyment of the telescope. For long-exposure photography,
g. Use the latitude angle fine-adjust control on the wedge to
however, the ground rules are quite different, and precise polar
effect the appropriate change in latitude angle, based on
alignment is not only advisable, but almost essential.
your observations above. Again, track the star for a period
Notwithstanding the precision and sophistication of the drive of time to be certain that Declination drift has ceased.
system supplied with the Meade LX200 telescopes, the fewer
The above procedure results in very accurate polar alignment,
tracking corrections required during the course of a long-
and minimizes the need for tracking corrections during
exposure photograph, the better. (For our purposes, “long-
astrophotography.
exposure” means any photograph of about 10 minutes duration
or longer). In particular, the number of Declination corrections Polaris ★
required is a direct function of the precision of polar alignment.
Precise polar alignment requires the use of a crosshair
eyepiece. The Meade Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece is well-
suited in this application, but you will want to increase the
effective magnification through the use of a 2X or 3X Barlow
lens. Then either follow Refined Polar Alignment (page 17) or
follow this procedure, sometimes better known as the “Drift”
method (particularly if the pole star is not visible):
a. Obtain a rough polar alignment as described earlier. Place
the illuminated reticle eyepiece (or eyepiece/Barlow
combination) into the eyepiece holder of the telescope.
b. Point the telescope, with the motor drive running, at a
moderately bright star near where the meridian (the North- Fig. 24: Mount too low.
South line passing through your local zenith) and the
celestial equator intersect. For best results, the star Polaris ★
Polaris ★ ★ Polaris

Fig. 22: Mount too far East. Fig. 23: Mount too far West. Fig. 25: Mount too high.
 - 31 -
APPENDIX C:
LX200 ALIGNMENT STAR LIBRARY
AND STAR CHARTS:
1. Alignment Stars
The LX200 utilizes 33 bright and well known stars to calibrate
the telescope’s Object Library in the ALTAZ and POLAR
alignments. These stars were selected to allow observers from
anywhere in the world on any given night, to be able to easily
and quickly make precision alignments. The LX200 Alignment
Star Library and Star Charts are below for your reference:

LX200 ALIGNMENT STAR LIBRARY

STAR NAME STAR # MAGNITUDE CONSTELL R/A DEC.

ACHERNAR 13 0.5 ERIDANUS 01 37.7 -57 14

ACRUX A 121 1.3 CRUX 12 26.6 -63 06
ALBIREO 223 3.1 CYGNUS 19 30.8 +27 58
ALKAID 140 1.9 URSA MAJOR 13 47.6 +49 19
ALDEBARAN 33 0.9 TAURUS 04 35.9 +16 31
ALNILAM 50 1.7 ORION 05 36.2 -01 12
ALPHARD 95 2.0 HYDRA 09 27.6 -08 39
ALPHEKKA 165 2.2 CORONA BOR. 15 35.5 +26 43
ALTAIR 226 0.8 AQUILA 19 50.8 +08 52
ANTARES 177 0.9 SCORPIUS 16 29.5 -26 26
ARCTURUS 147 0.0 BOOTES 14 15.7 +19 11
BETELGUESE 56 0.4 ORION 05 55.2 +07 25
BOGARDUS 58 2.6 AURIGA 05 59.8 +37 13
CANOPUS 63 -0.7 CARINA 06 24.0 -52 42
CAPELLA 42 0.1 AURIGA 05 16.6 +46 00
CASTOR A 78 1.9 GEMINI 07 34.6 +31 53
DENEB 232 1.3 CYGNUS 20 41.5 +45 17
DENEBOLA 114 2.1 LEO 11 49.1 +14 34
DIPHDA 8 2.0 CETUS 00 43.6 -17 59
ENIF 238 2.4 PEGASUS 21 44.2 +09 53
FOMALHAUT 247 1.2 PISCES AUST. 22 57.7 -29 38
HADAR 144 0.6 CENTAURUS 14 03.9 -60 24
HAMAL 17 2.0 ARIES 02 07.2 +23 28
MARKAB 249 2.5 PEGASUS 23 04.8 +15 12
MIRA 20 2.1 CETUS 02 19.4 -02 58
POLARIS 19 2.0 URSA MINOR 02 14.7 +89 17
POLLUX 81 1.1 GEMINI 07 45.4 +28 02
PROCYON 80 0.4 CANIS MINOR 07 39.3 +05 14
REGULUS 100 1.4 LEO 10 08.5 +11 58
RIGEL 41 0.1 ORION 05 14.6 -08 12
SIRIUS 67 -1.5 CANIS MAJOR 06 45.2 -16 43
SPICA 138 1.0 VIRGO 13 25.2 -11 10
VEGA 214 0.0 LYRA 18 37.0 +38 47
 - 32 -
2. Star Charts
(for Northern Hemisphere Observers)

Overhead
Overhead

Aldeberan
Aldebaran
Betelgeuse

Rigel
Rigel
Betelgeuse
Sirius

SOUTHEAST SOUTH
January 7:00 to 9:00 February 7:00 to 9:00

Overhead Overhead

Alkaid

Betelgeuse
Polaris

Sirius Aldebaran

Rigel

SOUTHWEST NORTH
March 7:00 to 9:00 April 7:00 to 9:00

Overhead Alkaid
Overhead
Alkaid

Polaris

Polaris

NORTH NORTH
May 7:00 to 9:00 June 7:00 to 9:00
 - 33 -

Overhead Overhead
Vega
Vega

Alkaid

Deneb
Deneb

Polaris Alkaid

Polaris

NORTH NORTH
July 7:00 to 9:00 August 7:00 to 9:00

Overhead Overhead

Vega
Deneb Deneb

Vega

Polaris
Alkaid
Polaris

NORTH NORTH
September 7:00 to 9:00 October 7:00 to 9:00

Altair Overhead Overhead

Deneb

Aldebaran

Vega
Polaris

Betelgeuse Rigel

NORTHWEST SOUTHEAST
November 7:00 to 9:00 December 7:00 to 9:00
 - 34 -
APPENDIX D: The following guide to VQs was used in the visual observation
LX200 64,359-OBJECT LIBRARY process:

1. The LX200 64,359-Object Library SUPER Very bright object with very interesting
The LX200 64,359-Object Library is a collection of the most shape or structure.
studied and fantastic objects in the sky. It includes: Bright object with very interesting shape or
• 15,928 SAO (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory) structure.
Catalog of Stars: All stars brighter than 7th magnitude. EXCEL OR
Very bright object with moderately
• 12,921 UGC (Uppsala General Catalog) Galaxies: interesting shape or structure.
Complete catalog.
Bright object with moderately interesting
• 7,840 NGC (New General Catalog) objects: Complete shape or structure.
Catalog. V GOOD OR
• 5,386 IC (Index Catalog) objects: Complete catalog. Very bright object with little or no
interesting shape or structure.
• 21,815 GCVS (General Catalog of Variable Stars) objects:
Complete catalog. Easy to see without averted vision with
some interesting shape or structure.
• 351 Alignment Stars: LX200 alignment stars.
GOOD OR
• 110 M (Messier) objects: Complete catalog. Bright object, but little or no interesting
• 8 major planets from Mercury to Pluto. shape or structure.
This appendix has three object listings in sections 2, 3, and 4. FAIR Easy to see without averted vision, but little
Section 2 (page 36) is a partial list of 278 of the best NGC or no interesting shape or structure.
objects. These are most of the best objects in the sky, and as POOR Easy to see with averted vision. Often
such, make good first targets. Section 3 (page 43) is a list of the borderline visible without averted vision.
250 brightest stars and 100 double stars. The complete
V POOR A struggle to see with careful use of
Messier list is shown in Section 4 (page 49).
averted vision.
The above databases are accessed through the M, STAR, and
Not yet rated AND missing information for
CNGC keys. The M key accesses the M object database only;
computer estimate.
the STAR key the SAO, STAR, GCVS, and planet databases;
(none) OR
and the CNGC key the UGC, NGC, and IC databases.
Could not see despite careful use of
When the STAR or CNGC key is pressed, the display will show averted vision.
which database is currently active. At this point you can enter
the object number for that database, or hit ENTER to bring up All, or very nearly all, of the objects in the CNGC are visible with
the menu to change databases. The LX200 will remember standard instrumentation and observing conditions used to
which database was last used. obtain the visual quality ratings. It is a good indication of what
a. SAO Catalog to expect with similar equipment by experienced deep-sky
The standard Star catalog used in astronomy, this catalog observers in excellent conditions. Naturally smaller telescopes
includes all stars brighter than 7th magnitude. and/or less optimal observing conditions will lower the apparent
quality of all objects.
b. UGC Catalog
The following is a description of the format of the optional
This catalog of galaxies includes objects as faint as 15th CNGC listing for each object:
magnitude.
c. CNGC Catalog COLUMN NAME DESCRIPTION
The CNGC is enhanced from the RNGC in many ways.
Angular sizes are given in arc-seconds on the CNGC listing, 1 CNGC # CNGC 0001 - CNGC 7840
and in a convenient scaled format on the LX200 display. 2 RA Right Ascension
Magnitudes are given to 0.1 magnitude where possible. 3 DEC Declination
The coordinates in the CNGC listing are listed for the year 4 SIZE Size of object (arc-seconds)
2000. The LX200 calculates object positions upon power up to
5 MAG Magnitude (-5.5 through 19.9)
the current date (as shown on the time/date display). This
makes the LX200 pointing more accurate. 6 TYPE Type of object
Objects have been assigned a “Visual Quality Rating” (VQ). A 7 * * object is not in the RNGC
large number of VQs have been obtained by observing the 8 ALT CAT Alternate catalog name & number
objects. To make the VQs as useful as possible, all 9 VQ Visual Quality Rating
observations have been made with the same telescope and (abcdefg ) or (ABCDEFG)
eyepiece under substantially identical observing conditions.
10 TAGS Object Type # (0-F):
Only for very small objects was a higher power eyepiece used.
S = Sky-Cat : T = Tirion
Your “Visual Quality Rating” of a particular object will vary,
largely due to sky conditions. 11 COMMENTS Name, comments, other info
If the object has been rated by observation, an upper-case
character (ABCDEFG) is used for the VQ on the CNGC listing.
If the object has not been observed, the VQ has been
estimated by a computer program from the object type, size,
and brightness and the VQ is specified in lower-case
characters (abcdefg). The VQs for visually-rated objects are a
considerably more consistent guide to observability and
appearance than either the computed VQs or an examination
of the type, magnitude, and size data.
 - 35 -
The following types are distinguished in the CNGC:

TYPE LEGEND DESCRIPTION

0 None Unverified Southern Object
1 OPEN Open Cluster
2 GLOB Globular Cluster
3 DNEB Diffuse Nebula
4 PNEB Planetary Nebula (or SN Remnant)
5 GAL Galaxy
6 OPEN + DNEB Open Cluster + Diffuse Nebula
7 None Non-Existent Object
8 STAR Star
9 MULTI+STAR Multiple Star
A MULTI+GAL Multiple Galaxy (Usually Interacting)
B DNEB Dark Nebula in front of Diffuse Nebula
C GAL+OPEN Open Cluster in External Galaxy
D GAL+GLOB Globular Cluster in External Galaxy
E GAL+DNEB Diffuse Nebula in External Galaxy
F GAL+OPEN+DNEB Open Cluster + Diffuse Nebula in Galaxy
S Object is also listed in the Sky Catalogue 2000
T Object is also listed in the Tirion Sky Atlas 2000

d. IC Catalog g. M (Messier) Catalog

This is the complete IC catalog of a variety of objects that the The M catalog has been the benchmark deep-sky catalog for
standard NGC catalog missed. years. Recently expanded to 110 objects, the M (Messier)
catalog contains most of the best deep-sky objects.
e. GCVS Catalog
This is a complete catalog of variable stars (shown at the h. Planet Catalog
bottom of this page). The LX200 calculates the orbital positions of the eight major
Variable stars from the GCVS are entered using a six digit planets for the current calendar date. To access a planet, use
number. The first two digits, refer to the constellation where the the STAR key and enter the appropriate number as indicated
variable star is located and is listed in the table below. below: (NOTE: 903 is the Moon.)
The next four digits are assigned sequentially within each OBJECT LIBRARY PLANET LEGEND
constellation according to the standard sequence of variable-
PLANET STAR # PLANET STAR#
star designations (R, S, ...).
Therefore, the first star in the constellation of Virgo would be MERCURY 901 SATURN 906
entered as: 860001. VENUS 902 URANUS 907
f. Star Catalog MARS 904 NEPTUNE 908
The STAR catalog contains the 250 brightest stars (STAR 1 JUPITER 905 PLUTO 909
through STAR 250), 100 interesting double stars (STAR 251
through STAR 350), plus Sigma Octantis, the southern pole
star (STAR 351).

Code Const Code Const Code Const Code Const

01 AND 23 CIR 45 LAC 67 PSA
02 ANT 24 COL 46 LEO 68 PUP
03 APS 25 COM 47 LMI 69 PYX
04 AQR 26 CRA 48 LEP 70 RET
05 AQL 27 CRB 49 LIB 71 SGE
06 ARA 28 CRV 50 LUP 72 SGR
07 ARI 29 CRT 51 LYN 73 SCO
08 AUR 30 CRU 52 LYR 74 SCL
09 BOO 31 CYG 53 MEN 75 SCT
10 CAE 32 DEL 54 MIC 76 SER
11 CAM 33 DOR 55 MON 77 SEX
12 CNC 34 DRA 56 MUS 78 TAU
13 CVN 35 EQU 57 NOR 79 TEL
14 CMA 36 ERI 58 OCT 80 TRI
15 CMI 37 FOR 59 OPH 81 TRA
16 CAP 38 GEM 60 ORI 82 TUC
17 CAR 39 GRU 61 PAV 83 UMA
18 CAS 40 HER 62 PEG 84 UMI
19 CEN 41 HOR 63 PER 85 VEL
20 CEP 42 HYA 64 PHE 86 VIR
21 CET 43 HYI 65 PIC 87 VOL
22 CHA 44 IND 66 PSC 88 VUL
 - 36 -
2. CNGC Catalog

CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

0045 00 14.0 -23 10 486 10.4 GALAXY S- IV-V UGC A4 c 5 ST 8.1x5.8

0055 00 15.1 -39 13 1944 8.2 GALAXY SBm: PEC EMISSION b 5 ST 32.4x6.5
0104 00 24.1 -72 04 1854 4.0v GLOB CLUS sp=G3 47 Tuc B 2 ST 47 Tuc 16kly
0129 00 29.9 +60 14 1260 6.5v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
0134 00 30.4 -33 15 486 10.1 GALAXY S(B)b+ c 5 ST 8.1x2.6

0188 00 44.3 +85 21 840 8.1v OPEN CLUS sp=F2 c 1 ST Oldest Open Cluster 5kly
0205 00 40.4 +41 42 1044 8.0 GALAXY E6: UGC 426 C 5 ST M110 Comp of M31 17.4x9.8
0221 00 42.8 +40 53 456 8.2 GALAXY E2 UGC 452 C 5 ST M32 Comp of M31 7.6x5.8
0224 00 42.8 +41 17 10680 3.5 GALAXY Sb I-II UGC 454 B 5 ST M31 Andromeda Gal 178x63
0225 00 43.5 +61 48 720 7.0 OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

0247 00 47.1 -20 44 1200 8.9 GALAXY S- IV UGC A11 b 5 ST 20.0x7.4

0253 00 47.5 -25 17 1506 7.1 GALAXY Scp UGC A13 C 5 ST 25.1x7.4
0288 00 52.6 -26 36 828 8.1v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST
0300 00 55.0 -37 42 1200 8.7 GALAXY Sd III-IV b 5 ST 20.0x14.8
0362 01 02.4 -70 51 774 6.6v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST

0370 01 04.8 +02 07 720 9.3 GALAXY Ir+ V * IC 1613 c5S 12.0x11.2
0411 01 07.9 -71 46 750 11.0 GLOB CLUS IN SMC cD
0458 01 14.9 -71 32 750 10.5 GLOB CLUS IN SMC cD
0581 01 33.3 +60 43 360 7.4v OPEN CLUS CNGC 0581 D 1 ST M103
0598 01 33.9 +30 40 3720 5.7 GALAXY Sc II-III UGC 1117 C 5 ST M33 Triangulum Gal 62x39

0628 01 36.7 +15 47 612 9.2 GALAXY Sc I UGC 1149 D 5 ST M74 10.2x9.5
0650 01 42.0 +51 34 290 12.2 PLAN NEB PART OF 0651 CNGC 0650 C 4 ST M76 Little Dumbbell Nebula
0651 01 42.0 +51 34 290 12.2 PLAN NEB PART OF 0650 C 4 ST Little Dumbbell Nebula
0654 01 43.9 +61 53 300 6.5v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
0660 01 43.0 +13 38 546 10.8 GALAXY SBap UGC 1201 c5S 9.1x4.1

0744 01 58.6 +55 29 660 7.9v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

0752 01 57.8 +37 41 3000 5.7v OPEN CLUS sp=A5 c 1 ST 1200ly
0869 02 19.1 +57 09 1800 4.3p OPEN CLUS sp=B1 A 1 ST Double Cluster h Per 7kly
0884 02 22.5 +57 07 1800 4.4p OPEN CLUS sp=B0 A 1 ST Double Cluster x Per 8kly
0925 02 27.3 +33 35 588 10.0 GALAXY S(B)c II-III UGC 1913 c 5 ST 9.8x6.0

0956 02 32.4 +44 38 480 8.9p OPEN CLUS c1S

0957 02 33.6 +57 31 660 7.6v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
1023 02 40.5 +39 04 522 9.5 GALAXY E7p UGC 2154 C 5 ST 8.7x3.3
1025 02 39.9 -34 32 1200 9.0p GALAXY dE3 * b5S 20.0x13.8
1027 02 42.7 +61 33 1200 6.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

1039 02 42.0 +42 47 2100 5.2v OPEN CLUS CNGC 1039 C 1 ST M34
1068 02 42.7 -00 01 414 8.8 GALAXY Sbp SEYFERT UGC 2188 D 5 ST M77 6.9x5.9 Seyfert Galaxy
1097 02 46.5 -30 16 558 9.3 GALAXY S(B)b I-II 2-SYS UGC A41 c A ST 9.3x6.6 2-SYS + E5
1112 02 51.2 +60 27 720 6.5v OPEN CLUS + DNEB IV 3 p n * IC 1848 c 6 ST
1232 03 09.7 -20 34 468 9.9 GALAXY Sc I 2-SYS C A ST 7.8x6.9 2-SYS +SBm

1245 03 14.6 +47 14 600 8.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

1261 03 12.3 -55 14 414 8.4v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST
1291 03 17.3 -41 05 630 8.5 GALAXY SBa b 5 ST 10.5x9.1
1313 03 10.0 -66 41 510 9.4 GALAXY SBd c 5 ST 8.5x6.6
1316 03 22.6 -37 14 426 8.9 GALAXY S(B)0p 3-SYS c A ST 7.1x5.5 3-SYS

1342 03 31.6 +37 20 840 6.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

1360 03 33.4 -25 51 390 9.0p PLAN NEB c 4 ST
1365 03 33.7 -36 08 588 9.5 GALAXY SBb I-II c 5 S 9.8x5.5
1432 03 46.0 +24 09 6600 3.4 OPEN CLUS + RNEB c 6 S Pleiades M45 Blue Nebula
1444 03 49.4 +52 39 240 6.6v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

1454 03 46.7 +68 07 1068 9.1 GALAXY S(B)c I-II * IC 342 b 5 ST 17.8x17.4 UGC 2847
1457 03 47.1 +24 07 7200 1.6 OPEN CLUS + RNEB sp=B6 * CNGC 1457 c 6 ST M45 Pleiades 410ly
1502 04 07.4 +62 19 480 5.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
1513 04 10.1 +49 31 540 8.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
1528 04 15.4 +51 15 1440 6.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

1545 04 20.9 +50 15 1080 6.2v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

1582 04 32.2 +43 52 2220 7.0p OPEN CLUS c 1 S
1647 04 46.2 +19 05 2700 6.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
1662 04 48.5 +10 56 1200 6.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 S
1664 04 51.0 +43 42 1080 7.6v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
 - 37 -
CNGC Catalog (continued)

CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

1746 05 03.6 +23 49 2520 6.1p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

1763 04 56.8 -66 24 1500 8.3 OPEN CLUS + ENEB IN LMC BFS
1807 05 10.7 +16 32 1020 7.0v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
1817 05 12.1 +16 42 960 7.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
1820 05 03.8 -67 17 410 9.0 OPEN CLUS IN LMC cC

1851 05 14.0 -40 02 660 7.3v GLOB CLUS sp=F7 b 2 ST 46kly X-Ray Source
1857 05 20.1 +39 21 360 7.0v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
1893 05 22.7 +33 24 660 7.5v OPEN CLUS + ENEB HII c 6 ST
1904 05 24.2 -24 31 522 8.0v GLOB CLUS CNGC 1904 D 2 ST M79
1912 05 28.7 +35 51 1260 6.4v OPEN CLUS sp=B5 CNGC 1912 C 1 ST M38 4600ly

1952 05 34.5 +22 01 360 8.4 PLAN NEB EMIS SN REM CNGC 1952 B 4 ST M1 Crab Nebula 4kly
1960 05 36.2 +34 08 720 6.0v OPEN CLUS CNGC 1960 C 1 ST M36
1966 05 26.5 -68 47 780 8.5 OPEN CLUS + DNEB IN LMC bFS
1975 05 35.4 -04 41 600 8.8 DIFF RNEB b 3 ST Blue
1976 05 35.3 -05 23 3960 3.9 DIFF RNEB + ENEB CNGC 1976 A 3 ST M42 Orion Nebula Blue+Red

1980 05 35.2 -05 55 840 2.5 OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O5 c 6 ST Trapezium in M42 1300ly
1981 05 35.3 -04 26 1500 4.6v OPEN CLUS b 1 ST
1982 05 35.5 -05 16 1200 5.8 DIFF RNEB + ENEB CNGC 1982 C 3 ST M43 Orion Nebula Extension
1999 05 36.5 -06 43 960 9.5 DIFF RNEB C 3 ST
2024 05 42.0 -01 50 1800 8.8 DIFF ENEB HII b 3 ST Red Near Zeta Ori

2068 05 46.8 +00 03 480 11.3 DIFF RNEB CNGC 2068 C 3 ST M78 Blue 1500ly
2070 05 38.5 -69 05 300 8.3v OPEN CLUS + ENEB IN LMC B F ST Tarantula Nebula Very Red
2074 05 39.0 -69 30 960 8.5 OPEN CLUS + ENEB IN LMC bFS 30 Dor Nebula (part)
2099 05 52.4 +32 33 1440 5.6v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 2099 C 1 ST M37 4200ly
2129 06 01.1 +23 18 420 6.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

2168 06 08.9 +24 21 1680 5.1v OPEN CLUS sp=B5 CNGC 2168 C 1 ST M35 2800ly
2169 06 08.4 +13 58 420 5.9v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2175 06 09.8 +20 19 1080 6.8v OPEN CLUS + ENEB c 6 ST Red Faint/Low Contrast
2194 06 13.8 +12 49 600 8.5v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2204 06 15.7 -18 39 780 8.6v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

2215 06 20.8 -07 17 660 8.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

2232 06 26.8 -04 44 1800 3.9v OPEN CLUS sp=B1 b1S 1600ly
2237 06 30.3 +05 03 4800 7.4 OPEN CLUS + ENEB c 6 ST Cluster in Rosette Nebula
2244 06 32.3 +04 52 1440 4.8v OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O5 b 6 ST Rosette Nebula 5300ly
2250 06 32.8 -05 02 480 8.9p OPEN CLUS c1S

2251 06 34.8 +08 22 600 7.3v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

2252 06 35.0 +05 23 1200 7.7p OPEN CLUS c1S
2264 06 41.2 +09 53 1200 3.9v OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O8 b 6 ST S Mon + Cone Nebula 2400ly
2281 06 49.4 +41 04 900 5.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2286 06 47.7 -03 10 900 7.5v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

2287 06 47.1 -20 45 2280 4.5v OPEN CLUS sp=B4 CNGC 2287 C 1 ST M41 2200ly
2301 06 51.8 +00 28 720 6.0v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2323 07 02.9 -08 20 960 5.9v OPEN CLUS CNGC 2323 D 1 ST M50
2324 07 04.2 +01 04 480 8.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2331 07 07.3 +27 21 1080 8.5p OPEN CLUS c1S

2335 07 06.6 -10 05 720 7.2v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

2343 07 08.3 -10 40 420 6.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 S
2345 07 08.4 -13 10 720 7.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2353 07 14.7 -10 17 1200 7.1v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2354 07 14.2 -25 43 1200 6.5v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

2360 07 17.7 -15 38 780 7.2v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

2362 07 18.7 -24 58 480 4.1v OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O9 c 6 ST Open Clus = 20' Very Red
2374 07 24.1 -13 15 1140 8.0v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2395 07 27.1 +13 35 720 8.0v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2396 07 28.2 -11 44 600 7.4p OPEN CLUS c 1 S

2403 07 36.9 +65 36 1068 8.4 GALAXY Sc III UGC 3918 b 5 ST 17.8x11.0
2420 07 38.4 +21 34 600 8.3v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2421 07 36.3 -20 37 600 8.3v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
2422 07 36.6 -14 29 1800 4.4v OPEN CLUS sp=B3 CNGC 2422 D 1 ST M47 1600ly
2423 07 37.2 -13 52 1140 6.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
 - 38 -
CNGC Catalog (continued)

CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

2437 07 41.9 -14 49 1620 6.1v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 2437 C 1 ST M46 5400ly (+CNGC 2438 PN)
2447 07 44.6 -23 52 1320 6.2v OPEN CLUS + DNEB CNGC 2447 D 6 ST M93 Includes dark nebula
2451 07 45.4 -37 58 2700 2.8v OPEN CLUS sp=B5 C 1 ST 1000ly
2467 07 52.5 -26 24 480 7.2p OPEN CLUS + ENEB C 6 ST Open Cluster + Red Nebula
2477 07 52.3 -38 33 1620 5.8v OPEN CLUS C 1 ST

2516 07 58.2 -60 52 1800 3.8v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 C 1 ST 1200ly

2547 08 10.7 -49 16 1200 4.7v OPEN CLUS C 1 ST
2548 08 13.7 -05 47 3240 5.8v OPEN CLUS CNGC 2548 D 1 ST M48
2631 08 40.2 -53 04 3000 2.5v OPEN CLUS II 3 p * IC 2391 C 1 ST
2632 08 40.1 +19 59 5700 3.1v OPEN CLUS sp=A0 CNGC 2632 C 1 ST M44 Praesepe/Beehive 590ly

2682 08 51.1 +11 49 1800 6.9v OPEN CLUS sp=F2 CNGC 2682 D 1 ST M67 Very old 2700ly
2808 09 11.9 -64 51 828 6.3v GLOB CLUS sp=F8 C 2 ST 30kly
2841 09 22.1 +50 58 486 9.3 GALAXY Sb- I UGC 4966 C 5 ST 8.1x3.8
2903 09 32.1 +21 30 756 8.9 GALAXY Sb+ I-II UGC 5079 b 5 ST 12.6x6.6
2997 09 45.7 -31 12 486 10.6 GALAXY Sc I UGC A181 C 5 ST 8.1x6.5

3031 09 55.7 +69 04 1542 6.9 GALAXY Sb I-II CNGC 3031 C 5 ST M81 25.7x14.1 Near M82
3034 09 55.9 +69 41 672 8.4 GALAXY P EDGE-ON UGC 5322 C 5 ST M82 11.2x4.6 Exploding
3109 10 03.1 -26 10 870 10.4 GALAXY Ir+ IV-V UGC A194 c 5 ST 14.5x3.5
3114 10 02.7 -60 08 2100 4.2v OPEN CLUS sp=B5 b 1 ST 2800ly
3115 10 05.3 -07 43 498 9.2 GALAXY E6 c 5 ST 8.3x3.2

3157 10 08.4 +12 18 642 9.9v GALAXY dE3 * UGC 5470 c5S 10.7x8.3
3198 10 20.0 +45 33 498 10.4 GALAXY Sc II UGC 72 c 5 ST 8.3x3.7
3201 10 17.5 -46 24 1092 6.8v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST
3228 10 21.7 -51 43 1080 6.0v OPEN CLUSTER c 1 ST
3231 10 27.4 -57 38 480 4.3v OPEN CLUS + DNEB I 3 m n * IC 2581 c 6 ST

3234 10 28.5 +68 26 738 10.6 GALAXY S+ IV-V * IC 2574 c 5 ST 12.3x5.9 UGC 5666
3242 10 24.8 -18 38 1250 8.6p PLAN NEB C 4 ST Ghost of Jupiter
3293 10 35.9 -58 14 360 4.7v OPEN CLUS + ENEB c 6 ST
3324 10 37.5 -58 38 360 6.7v DIFF ENEB + RNEB + OPEN c 6 ST 9kly
3328 10 43.2 -64 24 3000 1.9v OPEN CLUS II 3 m * IC 2602 b 1 ST

3351 10 43.9 +11 42 444 9.7 GALAXY S(B)b II UGC 5850 C 5 ST M95 7.4x5.1 Near M96
3368 10 46.7 +11 49 426 9.2 GALAXY Sbp UGC 5882 C 5 ST M96 7.1x5.1 Near M95
3372 10 45.1 -59 41 7200 5.3 DIFF ENEB + OPEN CLUS HII A 6 ST Eta Carina Nebula Red 9kly
3379 10 47.8 +12 35 270 9.3 GALAXY E1 2-SYS UGC 5902 C A ST M105 4.5x4.0
3496 10 59.8 -60 20 540 8.2v OPEN CLUS c1S

3521 11 05.9 -00 02 570 8.9 GALAXY Sb+ II UGC 6150 b 5 ST 9.5x5.0
3532 11 06.5 -58 40 3300 3.0v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 b 1 ST 1400ly
3556 11 11.6 +55 41 498 10.1 GALAXY Sc NEAR EDGE-ON UGC 6225 C 5 ST M108 8.3x2.5 Near M97
3572 11 10.5 -60 14 420 6.6v OPEN CLUS + ENEB c 6 ST
3587 11 14.8 +55 02 194 12.0p PLAN NEB CNGC 3587 C 4 ST M97 Owl Nebula 12kly

3604 11 17.9 -62 42 720 8.2p OPEN CLUS II 3 m * IC 2714 c 1 ST

3621 11 18.3 -32 49 600 9.9 GALAXY Sc III-IV UGC A232 c 5 ST 10.0x6.5
3623 11 18.9 +13 05 600 9.3 GALAXY Sb II: UGC 6328 C 5 ST M65 10.0x3.3 Near M66
3627 11 20.2 +12 59 522 9.0 GALAXY Sb+ II: UGC 6346 C 5 ST M66 8.7x4.4 Near M65
3628 11 20.3 +13 35 888 9.5 GALAXY Sb NEAR EDGE-ON UGC 6350 C 5 ST 14.8x3.6

3680 11 25.7 -43 15 720 7.6v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

3709 11 36.6 -63 02 900 4.5v OPEN CLUS II 1 p n * IC 2944 b 1 ST
3718 11 32.6 +53 04 522 10.5 GALAXY SBap UGC 624 c 5 ST 8.7x4.5
3766 11 36.2 -61 37 720 5.3v OPEN CLUS sp=B1 c 1 ST 5800ly
3992 11 57.6 +53 22 456 9.8 GALAXY S(B)b+ I UGC 6937 D 5 ST M109 7.6x4.9

4052 12 01.9 -63 12 480 8.8p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

4111 12 07.1 +43 04 288 10.8 GALAXY S0: UGC 7103 C 5 ST 4.8x1.1
4192 12 13.9 +14 54 570 10.1 GALAXY Sb I-II: 3-SYS UGC 7231 D A ST M98 9.5x3.2
4216 12 15.9 +13 08 498 10.0 GALAXY Sb II UGC 7284 c 5 ST 8.3x2.2 Near Edge-On
4236 12 16.7 +69 28 1116 9.7 GALAXY SB+ IV UGC 7306 b 5 ST 18.6x6.9

4244 12 17.6 +37 48 972 10.2 GALAXY S- IV: EDGE-ON UGC 7322 b 5 ST 16.2x2.5
4254 12 18.9 +14 25 324 9.8 GALAXY Sc I NEAR FACE-ON UGC 7345 D 5 ST M99 5.4x4.8
4258 12 19.0 +47 18 1092 8.3 GALAXY Sb+p UGC 7353 C 5 ST M106 18.2x7.9
4303 12 22.0 +04 28 360 9.7 GALAXY Sc I 2-SYS UGC 7420 D A ST M61 6.0x5.5 Face-On
4321 12 23.0 +15 49 414 9.4 GALAXY Sc I FACE-ON UGC 7450 D 5 ST M100 6.9x6.2 Brite Nucleus
 - 39 -
CNGC Catalog (continued)

CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

4349 12 24.2 -61 54 960 7.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

4374 12 25.1 +12 53 300 9.3 GALAXY E1 UGC 7494 C 5 ST M84 5.0x4.4 Near M86
4382 12 25.5 +18 11 426 9.2 GALAXY Ep 2-SYS UGC 7508 C A ST M85 7.1x5.2
4395 12 25.8 +33 32 774 10.2 GALAXY S+ IV-V UGC 7524 c5S 12.9x11.0
4406 12 26.3 +12 56 444 9.2 GALAXY E3 UGC 7532 C 5 ST M86 7.4x5.5

4438 12 27.8 +13 00 558 10.1 GALAXY Sap UGC 7574 c 5 ST 9.3x3.9
4472 12 29.8 +08 00 534 8.4 GALAXY E4 UGC 7629 C 5 ST M49 8.9x7.4
4486 12 30.9 +12 23 432 8.6 GALAXY E1 + E0 2-SYS UGC 7654 D A ST M87 7.2x6.8 + CNGC 4471
4501 12 32.1 +14 25 414 9.5 GALAXY Sb+ I MULTI-ARM UGC 7675 D 5 ST M88 6.9x3.9
4517 12 32.8 +00 06 612 10.5 GALAXY Sc 2-SYS UGC 7694 c A ST 10.2x1.9 Near Edge-On

4548 12 35.5 +14 29 324 10.2 GALAXY SBb + Sc 2-SYS UGC 7753 D A ST M91 5.4x4.4 Near CNGC 4571
4552 12 35.7 +12 33 252 9.8 GALAXY E0 UGC 7760 D 5 ST M89 4.2x4.2
4559 12 36.0 +27 57 630 9.9 GALAXY Sc II-III 3-SYS UGC 7766 C A ST 10.5x4.9 Coarse Structure
4565 12 36.4 +25 59 972 9.6 GALAXY Sb I: + 3-SYS FNT UGC 7772 B A ST M40 16.2x2.8 Edge-On Lane
4569 12 36.9 +13 09 570 9.5 GALAXY Sb+ UGC 7786 C 5 ST M90 9.5x4.7

4579 12 37.8 +11 49 324 9.8 GALAXY Sb UGC 7796 C 5 ST M58 5.4x4.4 Near CNGC 4621
4590 12 39.4 -26 46 720 8.2v GLOB CLUS CNGC 4590 D 2 ST M68
4594 12 39.9 -11 38 534 8.3 GALAXY Sb- CNGC 4594 C 5 ST M104 8.9x4.1 “Sombrero”
4605 12 40.0 +61 36 330 11.0 GALAXY SBcp Edge-On UGC 7831 C 5 ST 5.5x2.3 Edge-On
4609 12 42.4 -62 59 300 6.9v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

4621 12 42.1 +11 38 306 9.8 GALAXY E3 UGC 7858 D 5 ST M59 5.1x3.4 Near CNGC 4579
4631 12 42.1 +32 32 906 9.3 GALAXY Sc III Edge-On UGC 7865 B 5 ST 15.1x3.3 Edge-On
4649 12 43.7 +11 33 432 8.8 GALAXY E1 UGC 7898 D 5 ST M60 7.2x6.2 Near CNGC 4621
4656 12 43.9 +32 10 828 10.4 GALAXY Sc IV + Ir+ 2-SYS UGC 7907 C A ST 13.8x3.3 Near CNGC 4631
4725 12 50.5 +25 33 660 9.2 GALAXY S(B)b I UGC 7989 C 5 ST 11.0x7.9

4736 12 50.9 +41 08 660 8.2 GALAXY Sb-p II: UGC 7996 C 5 ST M94 11.0x9.1
4755 12 53.6 -60 21 600 4.2v OPEN CLUS sp=B3 c 1 ST Jewel Box 6800ly
4762 12 53.0 +11 14 522 10.2 GALAXY SB0 UGC 8016 c 5 ST 8.7x1.6
4826 12 56.7 +21 41 558 8.5 GALAXY Sb- UGC 8062 C 5 ST M64 9.3x5.4 Black Eye Gal
4833 12 59.4 -70 52 810 7.4v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST

4852 13 00.1 -59 36 660 8.9p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

4945 13 05.3 -49 29 1200 9.5 GALAXY SBc: 2-SYS b A ST 20.0x4.
5024 13 13.0 +18 10 756 7.7v GLOB CLUS CNGC 5024 D 2 ST M53
5033 13 13.5 +36 36 630 10.1 GALAXY Sb+ I-II: UGC 8307 c 5 ST 10.5x5.6
5053 13 16.4 +17 40 630 9.8v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST

5055 13 15.8 +42 02 738 8.6 GALAXY Sb+ II UGC 8334 C 5 ST M63 12.3x7.6 Sunflower Gal
5102 13 21.9 -36 39 558 10.0 GALAXY S0 c 5 ST 9.3x3.5
5128 13 25.3 -43 01 1092 7.0 GALAXY S0p B 5 ST 18.2x14.5 Centarus A X-Ray
5138 13 27.3 -59 01 480 7.6v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
5139 13 26.8 -47 29 2178 3.7v GLOB CLUS sp=F7 Omega Cen A 2 ST Omega Centauri 17kly

5194 13 30.0 +47 11 660 8.4 GALAXY Sc I 2-SYS FACE UGC 8493 B A ST M51 11.0x7.8 Whirlpool Gal
5236 13 37.1 -29 51 672 8.2 GALAXY Sc I-II FACE-ON CNGC 5236 B 5 ST M83 11.2x10.2
5272 13 42.3 +28 23 972 6.4v GLOB CLUS sp=F7 CNGC 5272 B 2 ST M3 35kly
5281 13 46.7 -62 54 300 5.9v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
5286 13 46.2 -51 22 546 7.6v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST

5316 13 54.0 -61 52 840 6.0v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

5457 14 03.3 +54 21 1614 7.7 GALAXY Sc I FACE-ON UGC 8981 C5S M101 26.9x26.3 Pinwheel
5460 14 07.7 -48 19 1500 5.6v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
5474 14 05.1 +53 40 270 10.9 GALAXY Sc UGC 9013 C 5 ST 4.5x4.2
5617 14 29.8 -60 44 600 6.3v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

5662 14 35.1 -56 34 720 5.5v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

5746 14 45.0 +01 57 474 10.6 GALAXY Sb EDGE-ON UGC 9499 C 5 ST 7.9x1.7
5749 14 48.9 -54 32 480 8.8p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
5822 15 05.3 -54 21 2400 6.5p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
5823 15 05.7 -55 36 600 7.9v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

5824 15 04.0 -33 05 372 9.0v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST

5897 15 17.4 -21 00 756 8.6v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST
5904 15 18.6 +02 05 1044 5.8v GLOB CLUS sp=F6 CNGC 5904 B 2 ST M5 26kly
5907 15 15.9 +56 19 738 10.4 GALAXY Sb+ II: UGC 9801 C 5 ST 12.3x1.8
5925 15 27.7 -54 32 900 8.4p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
 - 40 -
CNGC Catalog (continued)

CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

5927 15 28.0 -50 40 720 8.3v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST

5986 15 46.1 -37 46 588 7.1v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST
6025 16 03.7 -60 30 720 5.1v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6067 16 13.3 -54 13 780 5.6v OPEN CLUS sp=B3 c 1 ST 4700ly
6087 16 18.9 -57 54 720 5.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6093 16 17.1 -23 00 534 7.2v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6093 D 2 ST M80
6101 16 25.7 -72 13 642 9.3v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST
6121 16 23.7 -26 31 1578 5.9v GLOB CLUS sp=G0 CNGC 6121 B 2 ST M4 14kly
6124 16 25.6 -40 42 1740 5.8v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6144 16 27.2 -26 03 558 9.1v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST

6152 16 32.8 -52 38 1800 8.1p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6167 16 34.4 -49 36 480 6.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6169 16 34.1 -44 03 420 6.6p OPEN CLUS c1S
6171 16 32.5 -13 02 600 8.1v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6171 D 2 ST M107
6192 16 40.4 -43 23 480 8.5p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6193 16 41.4 -48 46 900 5.2v OPEN CLUS + ENEB + RNEB c 6 ST

6200 16 44.3 -47 29 720 7.4v OPEN CLUS c1S
6205 16 41.7 +36 27 996 5.9v GLOB CLUS sp=F6 CNGC 6205 B 2 ST M13 Hercules Globular
6208 16 49.5 -53 49 960 7.2v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6218 16 47.2 -01 57 870 6.6v GLOB CLUS sp=F8 CNGC 6218 D 2 ST M12 24kly

6231 16 54.3 -41 48 900 2.6v OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O9 b 6 ST In 240' ENEB 5800ly
6242 16 55.6 -39 30 540 6.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6250 16 58.0 -45 48 480 5.9v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6254 16 57.1 -04 07 906 6.6v GLOB CLUS sp=G1 CNGC 6254 D 2 ST M10 20kly
6259 17 00.7 -44 41 600 8.0v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6266 17 01.3 -30 07 846 6.6v GLOB CLUS OBLATE CNGC 6266 D 2 ST M62 Non-symmetrical
6273 17 02.6 -26 15 810 7.2v GLOB CLUS OBLATE CNGC 6273 D 2 ST M19 Oblate Shape Globular
6281 17 04.8 -37 53 480 5.4v OPEN CLUS + ENEB c 6 ST
6284 17 04.5 -24 45 336 9.0v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST
6293 17 10.3 -26 34 474 8.2v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST

6304 17 14.6 -29 28 408 8.4v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST

6316 17 16.6 -28 08 294 9.0v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST
6322 17 18.5 -42 57 600 6.0v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6333 17 19.2 -18 31 558 7.9v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6333 D 2 ST M9
6341 17 17.2 +43 09 672 6.5v GLOB CLUS sp=F1 CNGC 6341 D 2 ST M92 X-Ray Source 26kly

6353 17 24.7 -49 57 720 6.9v OPEN CLUS II 3 m * IC 4651 c 1 ST

6356 17 23.7 -17 49 432 8.4v GLOB CLUS c2S
6362 17 31.8 -67 03 642 8.3v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST
6366 17 27.7 -05 05 498 10.0v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST
6367 17 25.2 +37 45 45 14.5 GALAXY f5

6383 17 34.7 -32 35 300 5.5v OPEN CLUS + ENEB c 6 ST ENEB is 80' in diameter
6388 17 36.3 -44 45 522 6.9v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST
6397 17 40.9 -53 41 1542 5.7v GLOB CLUS sp=F5 b 2 ST 9kly
6398 17 20.2 +57 55 2010 11.9p GALAXY dE3 * UGC 10822 c5S 33.5x18.9 Maybe Can’t See
6400 17 40.8 -36 56 480 8.8p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6401 17 38.6 -23 55 336 9.5v GLOB CLUS d 2 ST

6402 17 37.6 -03 17 702 7.6v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6402 D 2 ST M14
6405 17 40.1 -32 13 900 4.2v OPEN CLUS sp=B4 CNGC 6405 C 1 ST M6 1500ly
6416 17 44.4 -32 21 1080 8.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6425 17 47.0 -31 31 480 7.2v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6431 17 46.3 +05 43 2460 4.2v OPEN CLUS III 2 p * IC 4665 b 1 ST

6432 17 47.9 -30 00 20 13.6p PLAN NEB ** f4S PK 359-0.1
6441 17 50.2 -37 03 468 7.4v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST
6451 17 50.7 -30 13 480 8.2p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6469 17 52.9 -22 21 720 8.2p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6475 17 54.0 -34 49 4800 3.3v OPEN CLUS sp=B5 CNGC 6475 C 1 ST M7 800ly
6494 17 57.0 -19 01 1620 5.5v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 6494 D 1 ST M23 1400ly
6514 18 02.3 -23 02 1740 6.3v DIFF ENEB + OPEN CLUS HII CNGC 6514 B 6 ST M20 Trifid Nebula 3500ly
6520 18 03.5 -27 54 360 6.7p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6522 18 03.6 -30 02 336 8.6v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST
 - 41 -
CNGC Catalog (continued)

CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

6523 18 03.2 -24 23 5400 5.2 OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O5 CNGC 6523 B 6 ST M8 Lagoon Nebula 5100ly
6530 18 04.8 -24 20 900 4.6v OPEN CLUS + ENEB b 6 ST In M8 = Lagoon Nebula
6531 18 04.6 -22 30 780 5.9v OPEN CLUS CNGC 6531 D 1 ST M21
6541 18 08.0 -43 44 786 6.6v GLOB CLUS sp=F6 b 2 ST 13kly
6543 17 58.6 +66 38 350 8.8p PLAN NEB c 4 ST Blue-Green 300ly

6544 18 07.4 -25 01 534 8.3v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST

6546 18 07.2 -23 19 780 8.0v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6553 18 09.5 -25 56 486 8.3v GLOB CLUS b 2 ST
6568 18 12.8 -21 35 780 8.6p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6569 18 13.6 -31 49 348 8.7v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST

6595 18 17.0 -19 53 660 7.0p OPEN CLUS + RNEB c6S

6611 18 18.8 -13 47 2100 6.0v OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O7 CNGC 6611 D 6 ST M16 Eagle Nebula 5500ly
6613 18 20.0 -17 08 540 6.9v OPEN CLUS CNGC 6613 D 1 ST M18
6618 18 20.8 -16 11 2760 6.0v DIFF ENEB + OPEN CLUS HII CNGC 6618 B 6 ST M17 Omega/Swan/Horseshoe
6624 18 23.7 -30 21 354 8.3v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST

6626 18 24.6 -24 52 672 6.9v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6626 D 2 ST M28
6630 18 20.0 -18 26 4800 4.7 OPEN CLUS * CNGC 6630 c1 T M24 Best with large field
6633 18 27.5 +06 34 1620 4.6v OPEN CLUS b 1 ST
6634 18 33.5 -19 14 2400 6.5 OPEN CLUS SPARSE * CNGC 6634 c1 M25 IC 4725 Sparse Cluster
6637 18 31.4 -32 21 426 7.7v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6637 D 2 ST M69

6642 18 31.5 -23 28 270 8.8v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST

6645 18 32.6 -16 54 600 8.5p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6653 18 39.0 +05 27 3120 5.4p OPEN CLUS III 2 m * IC 4756 c 1 ST
6656 18 36.3 -23 56 1440 5.1v GLOB CLUS sp=F7 CNGC 6656 C 2 ST M22 10kly
6664 18 36.8 -08 14 960 7.8v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6681 18 43.2 -32 18 468 8.1v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6681 D 2 ST M70
6694 18 45.4 -09 24 900 8.0v OPEN CLUS CNGC 6694 D 1 ST M26
6705 18 51.1 -06 16 840 5.8v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 6705 C 1 ST M11 Very rich 5600ly
6709 18 51.5 +10 21 780 6.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6712 18 53.1 -08 43 432 8.2v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST

6715 18 55.2 -30 28 546 7.7v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6715 D 2 ST M54
6716 18 54.6 -19 53 420 6.9v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6720 18 53.5 +33 02 150 9.7p PLAN NEB RING-LIKE CNGC 6720 B 4 ST M57 Ring Nebula 5kly
6723 18 59.6 -36 38 660 7.3v GLOB CLUS sp=G4 b 2 ST 24kly
6738 19 01.4 +11 36 900 8.3p OPEN CLUS c1S

6744 19 09.8 -63 51 930 9.0 GALAXY S(B)b+ II b 5 ST 15.5x10.2

6752 19 10.9 -59 59 1224 5.4v GLOB CLUS sp=F6 b 2 ST 17kly
6755 19 07.8 +04 13 900 7.5v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6774 19 16.7 -16 17 2880 9.0 OPEN CLUS c1 T
6779 19 16.6 +30 10 426 8.3v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6779 D 2 ST M56

6791 19 20.8 +37 51 960 9.5v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6809 19 40.1 -30 56 1140 7.0 GLOB CLUS sp=F5 CNGC 6809 D 2 ST M55 20kly
6811 19 38.2 +46 34 780 6.8v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6822 19 44.9 -14 46 612 9.4 GALAXY Ir+ IV-V c 5 ST 10.2x9.5
6823 19 43.2 +23 18 720 7.1v OPEN CLUS + ENEB c 6 ST

6830 19 51.1 +23 05 720 7.9v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6838 19 53.7 +18 47 432 8.3v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6838 D 2 ST M71
6853 19 59.6 +22 43 910 7.6p PLAN NEB CNGC 6853 B 4 ST M27 Dumbbell Nebula 3500ly
6864 20 06.2 -21 55 360 8.6v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6864 D 2 ST M75
6871 20 05.9 +35 47 1200 5.2v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

6882 20 11.7 +26 33 1080 8.1v OPEN CLUS c 1 S

6883 20 11.3 +35 51 900 8.0p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6885 20 12.0 +26 29 420 5.7p OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6888 20 12.8 +38 19 1200 13.0v DIFF ENEB c 3 ST Red
6910 20 23.1 +40 47 480 7.4v OPEN CLUS + ENEB c 6 ST In Gamma Cygnus Nebula

6913 20 23.9 +38 32 420 6.6v OPEN CLUS CNGC 6913 D 1 ST M29
6934 20 34.2 +07 24 354 8.9v GLOB CLUS c 2 ST
6939 20 31.4 +60 38 480 7.8v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6940 20 34.6 +28 18 1860 6.3v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
6946 20 34.8 +60 09 660 8.9 GALAXY Sc I UGC 11597 b 5 ST 11.0x9.8
 - 42 -
CNGC Catalog (continued)

CNGC# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

6981 20 53.5 -12 33 354 9.4v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6981 D 2 ST M72
6994 20 59.0 -12 37 168 8.9p OPEN CLUS CNGC 6994 D 1 ST M73
7000 21 01.8 +44 12 7200 6.6 DIFF ENEB HII b 3 ST North American Nebula 3kly
7009 21 04.3 -11 22 100 8.3p PLAN NEB C 4 ST Saturn Nebula 3000ly
7036 21 12.1 +47 43 240 6.8v OPEN CLUS I 1 m * IC 1369 c 1 ST

7039 21 12.2 +45 39 1500 7.6v OPEN CLUS c1S

7063 21 24.4 +36 30 480 7.0v OPEN CLUS c1S
7078 21 30.0 +12 10 738 6.4v GLOB CLUS sp=F2 CNGC 7078 C 2 ST M15 X-Ray Source 34kly
7082 21 29.4 +47 05 1500 7.2v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
7086 21 30.6 +51 35 540 8.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

7089 21 33.5 -00 50 774 6.5v GLOB CLUS sp=F4 CNGC 7089 C 2 ST M2 40kly
7092 21 32.2 +48 26 1920 4.6v OPEN CLUS CNGC 7092 D 1 ST M39
7093 21 39.1 +57 30 3000 3.5v OPEN CLUS + DNEB II 3 m n * IC 1396 b 6 ST
7099 21 40.3 -23 11 660 7.5v GLOB CLUS CNGC 7099 D2S M30
7143 21 53.4 +47 16 540 7.2v OPEN CLUS + DNEB IV 2 p n * IC 5146 c 6 ST

7160 21 53.7 +62 36 420 6.1v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

7202 22 10.5 +52 50 480 9.0p OPEN CLUS II 1 p * IC 1434 c 1 ST
7209 22 05.2 +46 30 1500 6.7v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
7243 22 15.3 +49 53 1260 6.4v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST
7331 22 37.1 +34 26 642 9.5 GALAXY Sb I-II UGC 12113 C 5 ST 10.7x4.0

7380 22 47.0 +58 06 720 7.2v OPEN CLUS + ENEB c 6 ST Red Nebula
7635 23 20.7 +61 12 900 12.8 DIFF ENEB c 3 ST Bubble Nebula Red
7640 23 22.1 +40 51 642 10.9 GALAXY S(B)b+ II: UGC 12554 c 5 ST 10.7x2.5
7654 23 24.2 +61 36 780 6.9v OPEN CLUS CNGC 7654 D 1 ST M52
7686 23 30.2 +49 08 900 5.6v OPEN CLUS c 1 ST

7790 23 58.5 +61 13 1020 8.5v OPEN CLUS sp=B1 c 1 ST 10300ly

7793 23 57.9 -32 34 546 9.1 GALAXY Sdm III-IV c 5 ST 9.1x6.6
7815 00 02.1 -15 28 612 10.9 GALAXY Ir+ IV-V * UGC A444 c5S 10.2x4.2
 - 43 -
3. STAR Catalog

STAR# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

* 1 00 08.3 +29 06 2.1v STAR B8.5p IV:(Hg+Mn) Alpha And 8 ST Alpheratz

* 2 00 09.2 +59 10 2.3v STAR F2 III-IV Beta Cas 8 ST Caph
* 3 00 13.2 +15 12 2.8v STAR B2 IV Gamma Peg 8 ST Algenib
* 4 00 25.7 -77 15 2.8v STAR G1 IV Beta Hyi 8 ST
* 5 00 26.3 -42 18 2.4v STAR K0 IIIb Alpha Phe 8 ST Ankaa

* 6 00 39.4 +30 52 3.3v STAR K3 III Delta And A 8 ST

* 7 00 40.5 +56 33 2.2v STAR K0 IIIa Alpha Cas 8 ST Shedir
* 8 00 43.6 -17 59 2.0v STAR G9.5 III Beta Cet 8 ST Diphda
* 9 00 56.7 +60 43 20 2.5v STAR B0 IVnpe(shell) + ? Gamma Cas 9 ST Marj B=8.8
* 10 01 06.1 -46 43 10 3.3v STAR G8 III Beta Phe AB 9 ST B=Similar mag & spectrum

* 11 01 09.8 +35 37 2.1v STAR M0 IIIa Beta And 8 ST Mirach

* 12 01 25.8 +60 15 2.7v STAR A5 IV Delta Cas 8 ST Ruchbah Ecl-Bin @759d
* 13 01 37.7 -57 14 0.5v STAR B3 Vnp (shell) Alpha Eri 8 ST Achernar
* 14 01 54.7 +20 49 2.6v STAR A5 V Beta Ari 8 ST Sharatan
* 15 01 58.7 -61 34 2.9v STAR A9 III-IVn Alpha Hyi 8 ST

* 16 02 04.0 +42 21 100 2.3v STAR K3 IIb + B9 V + A0 V Gamma And A 9 ST Almaak B=5.4 C=6.2
* 17 02 07.2 +23 28 2.0v STAR K2 IIIab Alpha Ari 8 ST Hamal
* 18 02 09.5 +34 59 3.0v STAR A5 IV Beta Tri 8 ST
* 19 02 14.7 +89 17 180 2.0v STAR F5-8 Ib + F3 V Alpha UMi A 9 ST Polaris B=8.2
* 20 02 19.4 -02 58 10 2.1v STAR M5.5-9 IIIe + Bpe Omicron Cet A 9 ST Mira B=9.5

* 21 02 58.3 -40 19 3.2v STAR A5 IV Theta Eri A 8 ST Acamar

* 22 03 02.3 +04 05 2.5v STAR M1.5 IIIa Alpha Cet 8 ST Menkar
* 23 03 04.8 +53 31 2.9v STAR G8 III + A2 V Gamma Per 8 ST
* 24 03 08.2 +40 58 2.1v STAR B8 V + F: Beta Per 8 ST Algol
* 25 03 24.4 +49 52 1.8v STAR F5 Ib Alpha Per 8 ST Mirphak

* 26 03 43.0 +47 48 3.0v STAR B5 IIIn Delta Per 8 ST

* 27 03 47.6 +27 06 2.9v STAR B7 IIIn Eta Tau 8 ST Alcyone
* 28 03 47.2 -74 15 3.2v STAR M2 III Gamma Hyi 8 ST
* 29 03 54.2 +31 54 130 2.9v STAR B1 Ib + B8 V Zeta Per A 9 ST B=9.2
* 30 03 57.8 +40 01 90 2.9v STAR B0.5 IV + B9.5 V Epsilon Per A 9 ST B=7.9

* 31 03 58.0 -13 30 3.0v STAR M0.5 III-IIIb Gamma Eri 8 ST Zaurak

* 32 04 34.0 -55 02 2 3.3v STAR A0p III:(Si) + B9 IV Alpha Dor AB 9 ST A=3.8 B=4.3
* 33 04 35.9 +16 31 0.9v STAR K5 III Alpha Tau A 8 ST Aldebaran
* 34 04 49.9 +06 57 3.2v STAR F6 V Pi^3 Ori 8 ST Hassaleh
* 35 04 57.0 +33 11 2.7v STAR K3 II Iota Aur 8 ST Ayn

* 36 05 02.0 +43 49 3.0v STAR A9 Iae + B Epsilon Aur A 8 ST Anz

* 37 05 05.5 -22 22 3.2v STAR K5 III Epsilon Lep 8 ST
* 38 05 06.6 +41 14 3.2v STAR B3 V Eta Ori AB 8 ST Hoedus II
* 39 05 07.9 -05 05 2.8v STAR A3 IIIn Theta Eri 8 ST Kursa
* 40 05 12.9 -16 12 3.1v STAR B9p IV: (Hg+Mn) Mu Lep 8 ST

* 41 05 14.6 -08 12 90 0.1v STAR B8 Iae + B5 V Beta Ori A 9 ST Rigel B=7.6 C=7.6
* 42 05 16.6 +46 00 0.1v STAR G6: III + G2: III Alpha Aur AB 8 ST Capella
* 43 05 24.5 -02 24 3.3v STAR B1 IV + B Eta Ori AB 8 ST
* 44 05 25.2 +06 21 1.6v STAR B2 III Gamma Ori 8 ST Bellatrix
* 45 05 26.3 +28 37 1.7v STAR B7 III Beta Tau 8 ST Alnath

* 46 05 28.3 -20 46 26 2.8v STAR G5 II + ? Beta Lep A 9 ST B=7.4

* 47 05 32.0 -00 19 2.2v STAR O9.5 II Delta Ori A 8 ST Mintaka
* 48 05 32.7 -17 49 2.6v STAR F0 Ib Alpha Lep 8 ST Arneb
* 49 05 46.5 -05 55 110 2.8v STAR O9 III + B7 IIIp Iota Ori A 9 ST Nair al Saif B=7.3
* 50 05 36.2 -01 12 1.7v STAR B0 Ia Epsilon Ori 8 ST Alnilam

* 51 05 37.6 +21 09 3.0v STAR B2 IIIpe (shell) Zeta Tau 8 ST

* 52 05 39.7 -34 04 2.6v STAR B7 IV Alpha Col A 8 ST Phaet
* 53 05 40.8 -01 56 24 2.1v STAR O9.5 Ib + B0 III Zeta Ori A 9 ST Alnitak B=4.2
* 54 05 47.8 -09 40 2.1v STAR B0.5 Ia Kappa Ori 8 ST Saiph
* 55 05 51.0 -35 46 3.1v STAR K1.5 III Beta Col 8 ST Wezn

* 56 05 55.2 +07 25 0.4v STAR M2 Iab Alpha Ori 8 ST Betelgeuse

* 57 05 59.5 +44 57 1.9v STAR A1 IV Beta Aur 8 ST Menkalinan
* 58 05 59.8 +37 13 40 2.6v STAR A0p III: (si) + G2 V Theta Aur AB 9 ST Bogardus B=7.2 G2V
* 59 06 14.9 +22 31 3.3v STAR M3 III Eta Gem 8 ST Propus
* 60 06 20.3 -30 03 3.0v STAR B2.5 V Zeta CMa 8 ST Phurud
 - 44 -
STAR Catalog (continued)

STAR# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

* 61 06 22.9 +22 31 2.8v STAR M3 IIIab Mu Gem 8 ST Tejat Posterior

* 62 06 22.7 -17 58 2.0v STAR B1 II-III Beta CMa 8 ST Murzim
* 63 06 24.0 -52 42 -0.7v STAR A9 II Alpha Car 8 ST Canopus
* 64 06 37.7 +16 24 1.9v STAR A1 IVs Gamma Gem 8 ST Alhena
* 65 06 37.7 -43 12 3.2v STAR B8 IIIn Nu Pup 8 ST

* 66 06 44.0 +25 08 3.0v STAR G8 Ib Epsilon Gem 8 ST Mebsuta

* 67 06 45.2 -16 43 95 -1.5v STAR A0mA1 Va Alpha CMa A 9 ST Sirius B=8.5 50y
* 68 06 48.2 -61 56 3.3v STAR A6 Vn Alpha Pic 8 ST
* 69 06 49.9 -50 37 2.9v STAR K1 III Tau Pup 8 ST
* 70 06 58.6 -28 58 1.5v STAR B2 II Epsilon CMa A 8 ST Adara

* 71 07 03.1 -23 50 3.0v STAR B3 Iab Omicron^2 CMa 8 ST

* 72 07 08.4 -26 23 1.8v STAR F8 Ia Delta CMa 8 ST Wezen
* 73 07 13.5 -44 38 2.6v STAR M5 IIIe L2 Pup 8 ST HR2748
* 74 07 17.2 -37 05 2.7v STAR K3 Ib Pi Pup 8 ST
* 75 07 24.2 -26 19 2.5v STAR B5 Ia Eta CMa 8 ST Aludra

* 76 07 27.2 +08 17 2.9v STAR B8 V Beta CMi 8 ST Gomeisa

* 77 07 29.3 -43 17 220 3.3v STAR K5 III + G5: V Sigma Pup A 9 ST
* 78 07 34.6 +31 53 25 1.9v STAR A1 V + A2mA5 Alpha Gem A 9 ST Castor A
* 79 07 34.6 +31 53 25 2.9v STAR A2mA5 + A1 V Alpha Gem B 9 ST Castor B
* 80 07 39.3 +05 14 40 0.4v STAR F5 IV-V + ? Alpha CMi A 9 ST Procyon B=10.3

* 81 07 45.4 +28 02 1.1v STAR K0 IIIb Beta Gem 8 ST Pollux

* 82 07 49.3 -24 52 3.3v STAR G6 Ib Xi Pup 8 ST
* 83 08 03.7 -30 01 2.3v STAR O5 Iafn Zeta Pup 8 ST Naos
* 84 08 07.6 -24 19 2.7v STAR F6 IIp (var) Rho Pup 8 ST
* 85 08 09.5 -47 21 1.7v STAR WC8 + O9 I: Gamma^2 Vel 8 ST

* 86 08 22.5 -59 31 1.9v STAR K3: III Epsilon Car 8 ST Avior

* 87 08 44.7 -54 43 20 2.0v STAR A1 IV Delta Vel AB 9 ST B=5.0
* 88 08 55.5 +05 56 3.1v STAR G9 II-III Zeta Hya 8 ST
* 89 08 59.3 +48 03 40 3.1v STAR A7 IVn + M1 V Iota UMa A 9 ST Talitha BC=10.8
* 90 09 08.0 -43 25 2.2v STAR K4 Ib-IIa Lambda Vel 8 ST Suhail

* 91 09 13.3 -69 44 1.7v STAR A1 III Beta Car 8 ST Miaplacidus

* 92 09 17.1 -59 17 2.2v STAR A8 II Iota Car 8 ST Turais
* 93 09 21.1 +34 23 3.1v STAR K7 IIIab Alpha Lyn 8 ST
* 94 09 22.1 -55 01 2.5v STAR B2 IV-V Kappa Vel 8 ST
* 95 09 27.6 -08 39 2.0v STAR K3 II-III Alpha Hya 8 ST Alphard

* 96 09 31.2 -57 01 3.1v STAR K5 III N Vel 8 ST HR3803

* 97 09 33.0 +51 41 3.2v STAR F6 IV Theta UMa 8 ST
* 98 09 45.9 +23 46 3.0v STAR G1 II 1 Leo 8 ST Ras Elased Aus
* 99 09 47.2 -65 05 50 3.0v STAR A5 Ib + B7 III Nu Car AB 9 ST B=6.3
*100 10 08.5 +11 58 1.4v STAR B7 Vn Alpha Leo A 8 ST Regulus

*101 10 13.7 -70 02 3.3v STAR B8 IIIn Omega Car 8 ST

*102 10 20.0 +19 51 50 2.6v STAR K1 IIIb Fe-0.5 + * Gamma Leo A 9 ST Algieba B=3.5 G7 III Fe-1
*103 10 22.4 +41 30 3.1v STAR M0 IIIp Mu Uma 8 ST Tania Australis
*104 10 32.0 -61 42 3.3v STAR B4 Vne Rho Car 8 ST HR4140
*105 10 43.0 -64 24 2.8v STAR B0.5 Vp Theta Car 8 ST

*106 10 46.8 -49 26 20 2.7v STAR G5 III + F8: V Mu Vel AB 9 ST B=6.4

*107 10 49.7 -16 11 3.1v STAR K2 III Ny Hya 8 ST
*108 11 01.9 +56 23 2.4v STAR A0mA1 IV-V Beta UMa 8 ST Merak
*109 11 03.8 +61 45 3 1.8v STAR K0 IIIa + A8 V Alpha UMa AB 9 ST Dubhe B=4.8
*110 11 09.7 +44 30 3.0v STAR K1 III Psi UMa 8 ST

*111 11 14.2 +20 32 2.6v STAR A4 V Delta Leo 8 ST Zosma

*112 11 14.2 +15 26 3.3v STAR A2 Vs Theta Leo 8 ST Chort
*113 11 35.8 -63 02 3.1v STAR B9 III Lambda Cen 8 ST
*114 11 49.1 +14 34 2.1v STAR A3 V Beta Leo 8 ST Denebola
*115 11 53.8 +53 41 2.4v STAR A0 IV-Vn Gamma UMa 8 ST Phad

*116 12 08.4 -50 44 2.5v STAR B2 IVne Delta Cen 8 ST

*117 12 10.1 -22 37 3.0v STAR K3 IIIa Epsilon Crv 8 ST Minkar
*118 12 15.1 -58 45 2.8v STAR B2 IV Delta Cru 8 ST
*119 12 15.5 +57 01 3.3v STAR A2 IV-Vn Delta UMa 8 ST Megrez
*120 12 15.8 -17 33 2.6v STAR B8p III: (Hg+Mn) Gamma Crv 8 ST Gienah Ghurab
 - 45 -
STAR Catalog (continued)

STAR# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

*121 12 26.6 -63 06 50 1.3v STAR B0.5 IV + B1 Vn Alpha Cru A 9 ST Acrux A B=1.7
*122 12 26.7 -63 07 50 1.7v STAR B1 Vn + B0.5 IV Alpha Cru B 9 ST Acrux B A=1.3
*123 12 29.9 -16 31 240 3.0v STAR B9.5 III + K2 V Delta Crv A 9 ST Algorab B=8.3
*124 12 31.2 -57 07 1.6v STAR M3.5 III Gamma Cru 8 ST Gacrux
*125 12 34.4 -23 24 2.7v STAR G5 II Beta Crv 8 ST Kraz

*126 12 37.2 -69 09 2.7v STAR B2 IV-V Alpha Mus 8 ST

*127 12 41.6 -48 58 50 2.9v STAR B9.5 III + A0 III Gamma Cen A 9 ST B=3.0
*128 12 41.5 -48 58 50 3.0v STAR A0 III + B9.5 III Gamma Cen B 9 ST A=2.9
*129 12 41.7 -01 28 40 2.8v STAR F1 V + F1 V Gamma Vir AB 9 ST Porrima B=3.5
*130 12 46.2 -68 07 10 3.1v STAR B2 V + B2.5 V Beta Mus AB 9 ST B=4.1

*131 12 47.7 -59 42 1.2v STAR B0.5 III Beta Cru 8 ST Becrux Mimosa
*132 12 54.0 +55 58 1.8v STAR A0p IV: (Cr+Eu) Epsilon UMa 8 ST Alioth
*133 12 56.1 +38 19 2.9v STAR A0p III: (Si+Eu+Sr) Alpha^2 CVn A 8 ST Cor Caroli B=5.6 F0 V
*134 13 02.2 +10 58 2.8v STAR G9 IIIab Epsilon Vir 8 ST Vindamiatrix
*135 13 19.0 -23 11 3.0v STAR G8 IIIa Gamma Hya 8 ST

*136 13 20.6 -36 43 2.8v STAR A2 V Iota Cen 8 ST

*137 13 24.0 +54 55 140 2.3v STAR A1p IV: (Si) + A1mA7 Zeta UMa A 9 ST Mizar B=3.9
*138 13 25.2 -11 10 1.0v STAR B1 V Alpha Vir 8 ST Spica
*139 13 39.9 -53 28 2.3v STAR B1 III Epsilon Cen 8 ST
*140 13 47.6 +49 19 1.9v STAR B3 V Eta UMa 8 ST Alcaid

*141 13 49.6 -42 28 3.0v STAR B2 IV-Vpne Mu Cen 8 ST

*142 13 54.7 +18 24 2.7v STAR G0 IV Eta Boo 8 ST Mufrid
*143 13 55.6 -47 17 2.6v STAR B2.5 IV Zeta Cen 8 ST
*144 14 03.9 -60 24 0.6v STAR B1 III Beta Cen AB 8 ST Hadar
*145 14 06.4 -26 41 3.3v STAR K2 IIIb Pi Hya 8 ST

*146 14 06.7 -36 22 2.1v STAR K0 IIIb Theta Cen 8 ST Menkent

*147 14 15.7 +19 11 0.0v STAR K1.5 III Fe-0.5 Alpha Boo 8 ST Arcturus
*148 14 32.1 +38 19 3.0v STAR A7 III-IV Gamma Boo 8 ST Seginus
*149 14 35.5 -42 10 2.4 STAR B1.5 IVpne Eta Cen 8 ST
*150 14 39.8 -60 51 210 0.0v STAR G2 V + K4 V Alpha Cen A 9 ST Rigel Kentaurus B=1.3

*151 14 39.8 -60 51 210 1.3v STAR K4 V + G2 V Alpha Cen B 9 ST A=0.0

*152 14 41.9 -47 24 2.3v STAR B1.5 III Alpha Lup 8 ST
*153 14 42.5 -64 59 160 3.2v STAR A7p (Sr) + K5 V Alpha Cir 9 ST B=8.6
*154 14 46.6 +27 04 30 2.4v STAR K0 II-III + A0 V Epsilon Boo 9 ST Izar B=5.1
*155 14 51.1 -51 03 2.8v STAR A3 IV Alpha Lib A 8 ST Zuben Elgenubi

*156 14 50.6 +74 10 2.1v STAR K4 III Beta UMi 8 ST Kocab

*157 14 58.5 -43 08 2.7v STAR B2 IV Beta Lup 8 ST
*158 14 59.2 -42 06 3.1v STAR B2 V Kappa Cen 8 ST
*159 15 04.1 -25 18 3.3v STAR M4 III Sigma Lib 8 ST Brachium
*160 15 17.1 -09 23 2.6v STAR B8 Vn Beta Lib 8 ST Zuben Elschemali

*161 15 18.9 -68 41 2.9v STAR A1 IIIn Gamma TrA 8 ST

*162 15 21.4 -40 39 3.2v STAR B1.5 IVn Delta Lup 8 ST
*163 15 20.7 +71 50 3.1v STAR A2.5 III Gamma UMi 8 ST Pherkad
*164 15 24.9 +58 58 3.3v STAR K2 III Iota Dra 8 ST Ed Asich
*165 15 35.5 +26 43 2.2v STAR A0 IV Gamma CrB 8 ST Alphekka

*166 15 35.1 -41 10 5 2.8v STAR B2 IVn + B2 IVn Alpha Lup AB 9 ST A=3.5 B=3.6
*167 15 54.3 +06 25 2.7v STAR K2 IIIb (CN1) Alpha Ser 8 ST Unukalhai
*168 15 55.1 -63 26 2.9v STAR F0 IV Beta Tra 8 ST
*169 15 58.9 -26 08 2.9v STAR B1 V + B2 V Pi Sco A 8 ST
*170 15 59.5 +25 54 2.0v STAR gM3: + Bep T CrB 8 ST Galt

*171 16 00.3 -22 38 2.3v STAR B0.3 IV Delta Sco AB 8 ST Dschubba

*172 16 05.5 -19 48 10 2.6v STAR B0.5 IV Beta Sco AB 9 ST Graffias B=5.0 C=4.9 @ 14"
*173 16 14.3 -03 43 2.7v STAR M0.5 III Delta Oph 8 ST Yed Prior
*174 16 18.3 -04 36 3.2v STAR G9.5 IIIb Fe-0.5 Epsilon Oph 8 ST Yed Posterior
*175 16 21.2 -25 36 200 2.9v STAR B1 III + B9 V Sigma Sco A 9 ST Alniyat B=8.3

*176 16 24.0 +61 31 60 2.7v STAR G8 IIIab Eta Dra A 9 ST B=8.7

*177 16 29.5 -26 26 30 0.9v STAR M1.5 Iab + B2.5 V Alpha Sco A 9 ST Antares B=5.4
*178 16 30.2 +21 29 2.8v STAR G7 IIIa Beta Her 8 ST Kornephoros
*179 16 35.9 -28 13 2.8v STAR B0 V Tau Sco 8 ST
*180 16 37.2 -10 34 2.6v STAR O9.5 Vn Zeta Oph 8 ST Fieht
 - 46 -
STAR Catalog (continued)

STAR# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

*181 16 41.3 +31 36 11 2.8v STAR G1 IV + G7 V Zeta Her AB 9 ST B=5.5

*182 16 48.7 -69 02 1.9v STAR K2 IIb - IIIa Alpha TrA 8 ST Artia
*183 16 50.2 -34 17 2.3v STAR K2 III Epsilon Sco 8 ST
*184 16 51.9 -38 03 3.0v STAR B1.5 IVn Mu^1 Sco 8 ST
*185 16 57.7 +09 22 3.2v STAR K2 III Kappa Oph 8 ST

*186 16 58.7 -56 00 3.1v STAR K4 III Zeta Ara 8 ST

*187 17 08.7 +65 43 3.2v STAR B6 III Zeta Dra 8 ST Aldhibah
*188 17 10.4 -15 44 10 2.4v STAR A2 Vs + A3 V Eta Oph AB 9 ST Sabik A=3.0 B=3.5
*189 17 12.2 -43 14 3.3v STAR F2p V: (Cr) Eta Sco 8 ST
*190 17 14.7 +14 23 3.1v STAR M5 Ib-II Alpha Her AB 8 ST Ras Algethi

*191 17 15.1 +24 50 90 3.1v STAR A1 IVn + ? Delta Her 9 ST Sarin B=8.8
*192 17 15.1 +36 48 3.2v STAR K3 IIab Pi Her 8 ST
*193 17 22.1 -25 00 3.3v STAR B2 IV Alpha Oph 8 ST
*194 17 25.4 -55 32 2.9v STAR K3 Ib-IIa Beta Ara 8 ST
*195 17 25.5 -56 23 3.3v STAR B1 Ib Gamma Ara A 8 ST

*196 17 30.8 -37 17 2.7v STAR B2 IV Upsilon Sco 8 ST

*197 17 30.4 +52 19 40 2.8v STAR G2 Ib-IIa + ? Beta Dra A 9 ST Restaban B=11.5
*198 17 31.9 -49 52 3.0v STAR B2 Vne Alpha Ara 8 ST
*199 17 33.7 -37 07 1.6v STAR B1.5 IV Lambda Sco 8 ST Shaula
*200 17 25.0 +12 33 2.1v STAR A5 IIIn Alpha Oph 8 ST Rasalhague

*201 17 37.3 -43 00 1.9v STAR F1 II Theta Sco 8 ST Sargas

*202 17 42.6 -39 02 2.4v STAR B1.5 III Kappa Sco 8 ST
*203 17 43.5 +04 34 2.8v STAR K2 III Beta Oph 8 ST Cebalrai
*204 17 47.6 -40 07 3.0 STAR F2 Ia Iota^1 Sco 8 ST
*205 17 49.9 -37 02 3.2v STAR K2 III G Sco 8 ST HR6630

*206 17 56.6 +51 29 2.2v STAR K5 III Gamma Dra 8 ST Etamin

*207 17 59.1 -09 46 3.3v STAR K0 III Nu Oph 8 ST
*208 18 05.8 -30 26 3.0v STAR K0 III Gamma^2 Sgr 8 ST Nash
*209 18 17.7 -36 46 40 3.1v STAR M3.5 IIIab + G8: IV: Eta Sgr A 9 ST B=8.3
*210 18 21.0 -29 50 2.7v STAR K2.5 IIIa Delta Sgr 8 ST

*211 18 21.3 -02 54 3.3v STAR K0 III-IV Eta Ser 8 ST

*212 18 24.2 -34 23 1.9v STAR A0 IIInp (shell) Epsilon Sgr 8 ST Kaus Australis
*213 18 28.0 -25 25 2.8v STAR K1 IIIb Lambda Sgr 8 ST Kaus Borealis
*214 18 37.0 +38 47 0.0v STAR A0 Va Alpha Lyr 8 ST Vega
*215 18 45.7 -26 59 3.2v STAR B8.5 III Phi Sgr 8 ST

*216 18 55.3 -26 18 2.0v STAR B2.5 V Sigma Sgr 8 ST Nunki

*217 18 58.9 +32 41 3.2v STAR B9 III Gamma Lyr 8 ST Sulaphat
*218 19 02.7 -29 53 5 2.6v STAR A2.5 V + A4: V: Zeta Sgr AB 9 ST Ascella A=3.2 B=3.5
*219 19 05.5 +13 53 3.0v STAR A0 IVnn Zeta Aql A 8 ST
*220 19 07.0 -27 39 3.3v STAR K1.5 IIIb Tau Sgr 8 ST

*221 19 09.8 -21 02 6 2.9v STAR F2 II + ? + ? Pi Sgr ABC 9 ST Albaldah A=3.7 B=3.8
*222 19 12.6 +67 39 3.1v STAR G9 III Delta Dra 8 ST Nodus Secundus
*223 19 30.8 +27 58 350 3.1v STAR K3 II + B9.5 V Beta Cyg A 9 ST Albireo B=5.1
*224 19 45.0 +45 08 20 2.9v STAR B9.5 III + F1 V Delta Cyg AB 9 ST B=6.4
*225 19 46.3 +10 37 2.7v STAR K3 II Gamma Aql 8 ST Tarazed

*226 19 50.8 +08 52 0.8v STAR A7 Vn Alpha Aql 8 ST Altair

*227 20 11.3 -00 50 3.2v STAR B9.5 III Theta Aql 8 ST
*228 20 21.1 -14 46 3.1v STAR K0 II + A5 V:n Beta Cap A 8 ST Dabih
*229 20 22.2 +40 16 2.2v STAR F8 Ib Gamma Cyg 8 ST Sadr
*230 20 26.9 +15 05 1.9v STAR B2.5 V Alpha Pav 8 ST Peacock

*231 20 37.6 -47 18 3.1v STAR K0 III (Cn1) Alpha Ind 8 ST

*232 20 41.5 +45 17 1.3v STAR A2 Ia Alpha Cyg 8 ST Deneb
*233 20 46.3 +33 58 2.5v STAR K0 III Epsilon Cyg 8 ST Cat
*234 21 13.0 +30 13 3.2v STAR G8 IIIa Ba 0.6 Zeta Cyg 8 ST
*235 21 18.6 +62 36 2.4v STAR A7 IV-V Alpha Cep 8 ST Alderamin

*236 21 28.7 +70 33 3.2v STAR B1 III Beta Cep 8 ST Alphirk

*237 21 31.6 -05 35 2.9v STAR G0 Ib Beta Aqr 8 ST Sadalsuud
*238 21 44.2 +09 53 2.4v STAR K2 Ib Epsilon Peg 8 ST Enif '72 flare
*239 21 47.1 -16 07 2.9v STAR A3mF2 V: Delta Cap 8 ST
*240 21 54.0 -37 22 3.0v STAR B8 III Gamma Gru 8 ST
 - 47 -
STAR Catalog (continued)

STAR# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

*241 22 05.8 -00 19 3.0v STAR G2 Ib Alpha Aqr 8 ST Sadalmelik

*242 22 08.3 -46 58 1.7v STAR B7 IV Alpha Gru 8 ST Al Nair
*243 22 18.6 -60 16 2.9v STAR K3 III Alpha Tuc 8 ST
*244 22 42.7 -46 52 2.1v STAR M5 III Beta Gru 8 ST
*245 22 43.1 +30 14 2.9v STAR G8 II + F0 V Eta Peg 8 ST Matar

*246 22 53.6 -15 50 3.3v STAR A3 IV Delta Aqr 8 ST Skat

*247 22 57.7 -29 38 1.2v STAR A3 V Alpha PsA 8 ST Fomalhaut
*248 23 03.8 +28 05 2.4v STAR M2 II-III Beta Peg 8 ST Scheat
*249 23 04.8 +15 12 2.5v STAR B9.5 V Alpha Peg 8 ST Markab
*250 23 39.4 +77 38 3.2v STAR K1 III-IV Gamma Cep 8 ST Alrai

*251 00 06.1 +58 26 15 6.4 STAR 6.4:7.2 @308 ADS 61 9 ST 1980=1.4 @287 107y
*252 00 40.0 +21 27 66 5.5 STAR 5.5:8.7 @194 ADS 558 9 ST 1964 Yellow:Blue
*253 00 42.4 +04 11 15 7.8 STAR 7.8:9.4 @207 ADS 588 9 ST 1980=1.5 @ 200
*254 00 49.9 +27 42 44 6.3 STAR 6.3:6.3 @296 ADS 683 9 ST 1959 p(Yellow:Blue)
*255 00 54.6 +19 11 5 6.2 STAR 6.2:6.9 @211 ADS 746 9 ST 1980=0.5 @ 224 400y

*256 00 55.0 +23 38 8 6.0 STAR 6.0:6.4 @292 ADS 755 9 ST 1980=0.6 @ 259
*257 01 05.7 +21 28 299 5.6 STAR 5.6:5.8 @159 ADS 899 9 ST 1964 Yellow:pBlue
*258 01 09.5 +47 15 5 4.6 STAR 4.6:5.5 @133 ADS 940 9 ST 1980=0.5 @ 140
*259 01 13.7 +07 35 230 5.6 STAR 5.6:6.6 @063 ADS 996 9 ST 1972 Yellow:pBlue
*260 01 39.8 -56 12 113 5.8 STAR 5.8:5.8 @193 p Eri 9 ST 1980=11.1 @195

*261 02 35.5 +89 35 178 2.0 STAR 2.0:8.9 @216 ADS 1477 9 ST Polaris North Star
*262 01 53.6 +19 18 78 4.6 STAR 4.6:4.7 @000 ADS 1507 9 ST 1969 1831=8.6
*263 01 55.9 +01 51 10 6.8 STAR 6.8:6.8 @057 ADS 1538 9 ST 1980=1.2 @053
*264 01 57.9 +23 36 385 4.7 STAR 4.7:7.7 @047 ADS 1563 9 ST 1973 Yellow:Blue
*265 02 02.0 +02 46 16 4.2 STAR 4.2:5.2 @273 ADS 1615 9 ST pBlue:pGreen

*266 02 03.9 +42 20 98 2.2 STAR 2.2:5.1 @063 ADS 1630 9 ST 1967 Orange:Emerald
*267 02 12.4 +30 18 39 5.3 STAR 5.3:6.9 @071 ADS 1697 9 ST 1959 Yellow:Blue
*268 02 14.0 +47 29 11 6.6 STAR 6.6:7.1 @274 ADS 1709 9 ST 1980=1.1 @266
*269 02 29.1 +67 25 25 4.6 STAR 4.6:6.9 @232 ADS 1860 9 ST 1980=2.4 @234
*270 02 37.0 +24 39 383 6.6 STAR 6.6:7.4 @276 ADS 1982 9 ST 1973 Yellow:pBlue

*271 02 43.3 +03 15 28 3.6 STAR 3.6:6.2 @297 ADS 2080 9 ST 1974 Yellow:Ashen
*272 03 14.1 +00 11 11 8.8 STAR 8.8:8.8 @139 ADS 2416 9 ST 1980=1.0 @144
*273 03 17.8 +38 38 8 7.8 STAR 7.8:8.3 @259 ADS 2446 9 ST 1980=0.9 @265
*274 03 35.0 +60 02 14 6.8 STAR 6.8:7.6 @261 ADS 2612 9 ST 1980=1.3 @258
*275 03 34.5 +24 28 7 6.6 STAR 6.6:6.7 @002 ADS 2616 9 ST 1980=0.6 @006

*276 03 50.3 +25 35 4 5.8 STAR 5.8:6.2 @211 ADS 2799 9 ST 1980=0.6 @207
*277 03 54.3 -02 57 67 4.7 STAR 4.7:6.2 @347 ADS 2850 9 ST Fixed
*278 04 09.9 +80 42 7 5.5 STAR 5.5:6.3 @120 ADS 2963 9 ST 1980=0.8 @109
*279 04 07.5 +38 05 16 7.4 STAR 7.4:8.9 @353 ADS 2995 9 ST 1980=1.4 @003
*280 04 16.0 +31 42 7 8.0 STAR 8.0:8.1 @275 ADS 3082 9 ST 1980=0.8 @270

*281 04 20.4 +27 21 496 5.1 STAR 5.1:8.5 @496 ADS 3137 9 ST 1973 Yel/Ora:Blue
*282 04 22.8 +15 03 14 7.3 STAR 7.3:8.5 @352 ADS 3169 9 ST Purple:Blue
*283 05 07.9 +08 30 7 5.8 STAR 5.8:6.5 @349 ADS 3711 9 ST 1980=0.7 @021
*284 05 14.5 -08 12 92 0.2 STAR 0.2:6.7 @206 ADS 3823 9 ST Rigel
*285 05 35.2 +09 56 43 3.6 STAR 3.6:5.5 @044 ADS 4179 9 ST 1959 Yellow:Purple

*286 05 35.3 -05 23 132 5.1 STAR 5.4:6.8:6.8 ADS 4186 9 ST Trapezium in M42
*287 06 28.8 -07 02 99 4.6 STAR 4.6:5.1:5.4 ADS 5107 9 ST Fixed White Stars
*288 06 46.3 +59 27 17 5.4 STAR 5.4:6.0 @074 ADS 5400 9 ST 1980=1.7 @079
*289 06 45.3 -16 42 45 -1.5 STAR -1.5:8.5 @005 ADS 4523 9 ST 1980=10.3 @049
*290 07 12.8 +27 14 13 7.2 STAR 7.2:7.2 @316 ADS 5871 9 ST 1980=1.3 @320 120y

*291 07 30.3 +49 59 8 8.8 STAR 8.8:8.8 @195 ADS 6117 9 ST 1980=0.8 @189
*292 07 34.6 +31 53 30 1.9 STAR 1.9:2.9 @073 ADS 6175 9 ST 1980=2.2 @095 420y
*293 08 12.2 +17 39 6 5.6 STAR 5.6:6.0 @182 ADS 6650 9 ST Yellow:Yellow:Blue
*294 09 21.1 +38 11 11 6.5 STAR 6.5:6.7 @271 ADS 7307 9 ST 1980=1.1 @254
*295 10 16.3 +17 44 14 7.2 STAR 7.2:7.5 @181 ADS 7704 9 ST 1980=1.4 @183

*296 10 20.0 +19 51 44 2.2 STAR 2.2:3.5 @124 ADS 7724 9 ST 1980=4.3 @123
*297 11 18.3 +31 32 13 4.3 STAR 4.3:4.8 @060 ADS 8119 9 ST 1980=2.9 @105
*298 11 32.4 +61 05 6 5.8 STAR 5.8:7.1 @295 ADS 8197 9 ST 1980=0.4 @211
*299 12 16.1 +40 39 115 5.9 STAR 5.9:9.0 @260 ADS 8489 9 ST 1925 Gold:Blue
*300 12 24.4 +25 35 16 6.8 STAR 6.8:7.8 @325 ADS 8539 9 ST 1980=1.5 @326
 - 48 -
STAR Catalog (continued)

STAR# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

*301 12 26.6 -63 06 47 1.6 STAR 1.6:2.1 @114 Alpha Cru 9 ST 1943 White:White
*302 12 35.1 +18 22 202 5.2 STAR 5.2:6.8 @271 ADS 8600 9 ST 1963 Yellow:vBlue
*303 12 41.7 -01 28 30 3.5 STAR 3.5:3.5 @287 ADS 8630 9 ST 1980=3.9 @297 White
*304 12 53.3 +21 15 8 5.1 STAR 5.1:7.2 @194 ADS 8695 9 ST 1980=0.8 @175
*305 13 23.9 +54 55 144 2.3 STAR 2.3:4.0 @151 ADS 8891 9 ST 1967

*306 13 49.1 +26 59 34 7.6 STAR 7.6:8.0 @167 ADS 9031 9 ST 1980=3.4 @159
*307 14 15.3 +03 08 12 7.8 STAR 7.8:7.9 @239 ADS 9182 9 ST 1980=1.1 @252
*308 14 20.4 +48 30 13 8.1 STAR 8.1:8.3 @105 ADS 9229 9 ST 1980=1.2 @104 White
*309 14 40.0 -60 51 197 0.0 STAR 0.0:1.2 @214 Alpha Cen 9 ST 1980=21.8 @209
*310 14 41.2 +13 44 10 4.5 STAR 4.5:4.6 @160 ADS 9343 9 ST 1980=1.1 @305 White

*311 14 45.0 +27 04 28 2.5 STAR 2.5:5.0 @339 ADS 9372 9 ST 1971 Orange:Green
*312 14 51.4 +19 06 70 4.7 STAR 4.7:6.9 @326 ADS 9413 9 ST Orange:Blue
*313 14 51.4 +44 56 11 8.4 STAR 8.4:8.6 @348 ADS 9418 9 ST 1980=1.1 @346
*314 15 18.4 +26 50 15 7.3 STAR 7.3:7.4 @255 ADS 9578 9 ST 1980=1.4 @250
*315 15 23.2 +30 17 10 5.6 STAR 5.6:5.9 @027 ADS 9617 9 ST 1980=0.4 @321

*316 15 24.5 +37 20 22 7.0 STAR 7.0:7.6 @012 ADS 9626 9 ST 1980=2.2 @016
*317 15 34.8 +10 32 39 4.1 STAR 4.1:5.2 @179 ADS 9701 9 ST 1960 Yel-Whi:Ashen
*318 15 39.4 +36 38 63 5.1 STAR 5.1:6.0 @305 ADS 9737 9 ST 1957
*319 16 04.4 -11 22 7 4.9 STAR 4.9:4.9 @044 ADS 9909 9 ST 1980=1.2 @021
*320 16 14.7 +33 51 69 5.6 STAR 5.6:6.6 @235 ADS 9979 9 ST 1980=6.7 @233

*321 16 29.4 -26 26 24 0.9v STAR 0.9:5.5 @276 ADS 10074 9 ST Antares Red:pGreen
*322 16 28.9 +18 24 17 7.7 STAR 7.7:7.8 @129 ADS 10075 9 ST 1980=1.4 @136
*323 16 30.9 +01 59 15 4.2 STAR 4.2:5.2 @022 ADS 10087 9 ST 1980=1.3 @ 013
*324 16 56.5 +65 02 14 7.1 STAR 7.1:7.3 @069 ADS 10279 9 ST 1980=1.3 @069
*325 17 05.4 +54 28 19 5.7 STAR 5.7:5.7 @025 ADS 10345 9 ST 1980=1.9 @042

*326 17 15.4 -26 35 48 5.1 STAR 5.1:5.1 @151 ADS 10417 9 ST Orange:Orange
*327 17 14.7 +14 24 47 3.2 STAR 3.2:5.4 @107 ADS 10418 9 ST 1968 Yellow:Blue
*328 17 23.7 +37 08 40 4.6 STAR 4.6:5.5 @316 ADS 10526 9 ST 1964
*329 18 01.5 +21 36 65 5.1 STAR 5.1:5.2 @258 ADS 10993 9 ST 1953 Yellow:pRed
*330 18 03.1 -08 11 18 5.2 STAR 5.2:5.9 @280 ADS 11005 9 ST 1980=1.9 @277

*331 18 05.3 +02 32 15 4.2 STAR 4.2:6.0 @220 ADS 11046 9 ST Yel-Ora:Ora
*332 18 25.0 +27 24 7 6.5 STAR 6.5:7.5 @126 ADS 11334 9 ST 1980=0.7 @129
*333 18 35.8 +16 58 15 6.8 STAR 6.8:7.0 @155 ADS 11483 9 ST 1980=1.6 @161
*334 18 44.4 +39 40 26 5.0 STAR 5.0:6.1 @353 ADS 11635 9 ST 1980=2.7 @355 White
*335 18 44.4 +39 36 24 5.2 STAR 5.2:5.5 @080 ADS 11635 9 ST 1980=2.3 @084 White

*336 18 57.1 +32 54 10 5.4 STAR 5.4:7.5 @021 ADS 11871 9 ST 1980=1.1 @051
*337 19 06.4 -37 03 13 4.8 STAR 4.8:5.1 @109 Gamma CrA 9 ST 1980=1.5 @157
*338 19 26.5 +27 19 20 8.1 STAR 8.1:8.4 @292 ADS 12447 9 ST 1980=1.8 @293
*339 19 30.7 +27 58 344 3.2 STAR 3.2:5.4 @054 ADS 12540 9 ST 1967 Gold:Blue
*340 19 45.5 +33 37 24 8.3 STAR 8.3:8.4 @349 ADS 12889 9 ST 1980=2.0 @357

*341 20 21.0 -14 46 2050 3.1 STAR 3.1:6.2 @267 Beta Cap 9 ST Yellow:Blue
*342 20 46.6 +16 08 98 4.3 STAR 4.3:5.2 @268 ADS 14279 9 ST 1967 Gold:Blue-Gre
*343 20 47.5 +36 29 9 4.9 STAR 4.9:6.1 @011 ADS 14296 9 ST White:pBlue
*344 20 59.1 +04 18 10 6.0 STAR 6.0:6.3 @285 ADS 14499 9 ST 1980=1.1 @286
*345 21 02.3 +07 11 28 7.3 STAR 7.3:7.5 @217 ADS 14556 9 ST 1961

*346 21 06.7 +38 42 297 5.2 STAR 5.2:6.0 @148 ADS 14636 9 ST 1980=29.0 @146
*347 22 28.8 +00 15 19 4.3 STAR 4.3:4.5 @207 ADS 15971 9 ST pYellow:pBlue
*348 22 28.2 +57 42 33 9.8 STAR 9.8:11.5 @132 ADS 15972 9 ST 1980=2.6 @176 Reds
*349 22 33.0 +69 55 4 6.5 STAR 6.5:7.0 @094 ADS 16057 9 ST 1980=0.5 @086
*350 23 34.0 +31 20 4 5.6 STAR 5.6:5.7 @280 ADS 16836 9 ST 1980=0.4 @267

*351 21 12.3 -88 58 5.5 STAR VAR 5.3-5.7 F0III Sigma Oct 8 ST S-Pole * Sigma Oct
 - 49 -
4. M (Messier) Catalog

M# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

M 1 05 34.5 +22 01 360 8.4 PLAN NEB EMIS SN REM CNGC 1952 B 4 ST M1 Crab Nebula 4kly
M 2 21 33.5 -00 50 774 6.5v GLOB CLUS sp=F4 CNGC 7089 C 2 ST M2 40kly
M 3 13 42.3 +28 23 972 6.4v GLOB CLUS sp=F7 CNGC 5272 B 2 ST M3 35kly
M 4 16 23.7 -26 31 1578 5.9v GLOB CLUS sp=G0 CNGC 6121 B 2 ST M4 14kly
M 5 15 18.6 +02 05 1044 5.8v GLOB CLUS sp=F6 CNGC 5904 B 2 ST M5 26kly

M 6 17 40.1 -32 13 900 4.2v OPEN CLUS sp=B4 CNGC 6405 C 1 ST M6 1500ly
M 7 17 54.0 -34 49 4800 3.3v OPEN CLUS sp=B5 CNGC 6475 C 1 ST M7 800ly
M 8 18 03.2 -24 23 5400 5.2 OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O5 CNGC 6523 B 6 ST M8 Lagoon Nebula 5100ly
M 9 17 19.2 -18 31 558 7.9v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6333 D 2 ST M9
M 10 16 57.1 -04 07 906 6.6v GLOB CLUS sp=G1 CNGC 6254 D 2 ST M10 20kly

M 11 18 51.1 -06 16 840 5.8v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 6705 C 1 ST M11 Very rich 5600ly
M 12 16 47.2 -01 57 870 6.6v GLOB CLUS sp=F8 CNGC 6218 D 2 ST M12 24kly
M 13 16 41.7 +36 27 996 5.9v GLOB CLUS sp=F6 CNGC 6205 B 2 ST M13 Hercules Globular
M 14 17 37.6 -03 17 702 7.6v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6402 D 2 ST M14
M 15 21 30.0 +12 10 738 6.4v GLOB CLUS sp=F2 CNGC 7078 C 2 ST M15 X-Ray Source 34kly

M 16 18 18.8 -13 47 2100 6.0v OPEN CLUS + ENEB sp=O7 CNGC 6611 D 6 ST M16 Eagle Nebula 5500ly
M 17 18 20.8 -16 11 2760 6.0v DIFF ENEB + OPEN CLUS HII CNGC 6618 B 6 ST M17 Omega/Swan/Horseshoe
M 18 18 20.0 -17 08 540 6.9v OPEN CLUS CNGC 6613 D 1 ST M18
M 19 17 02.6 -26 15 810 7.2v GLOB CLUS OBLATE CNGC 6273 D 2 ST M19 Oblate Shape Globular
M 20 18 02.3 -23 02 1740 6.3v DIFF ENEB + OPEN CLUS HII CNGC 6514 B 6 ST M20 Trifid Nebula 3500ly

M 21 18 04.6 -22 30 780 5.9v OPEN CLUS CNGC 6531 D1 ST M21

M 22 18 36.3 -23 56 1440 5.1v GLOB CLUS sp=F7 CNGC 6656 C2 ST M22 10kly
M 23 17 57.0 -19 01 1620 5.5v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 6494 D1 ST M23 1400ly
M 24 18 20.0 -18 26 4800 4.7 OPEN CLUS CNGC 6630 c1 T M24 Best with large field
M 25 18 33.5 -19 14 2400 6.5 OPEN CLUS SPARSE CNGC 6634 c1 M25 IC 4725 Sparse Cluster

M 26 18 45.4 -09 24 900 8.0v OPEN CLUS CNGC 6694 D 1 ST M26

M 27 19 59.6 +22 43 910 7.6p PLAN NEB CNGC 6853 B 4 ST M27 Dumbbell Nebula 3500ly
M 28 18 24.6 -24 52 672 6.9v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6626 D 2 ST M28
M 29 20 23.9 +38 32 420 6.6v OPEN CLUS CNGC 6913 D 1 ST M29
M 30 21 40.3 -23 11 660 7.5v GLOB CLUS CNGC 7099 D2S M30

M 31 00 42.8 +41 17 10680 3.5 GALAXY Sb I-II UGC 454 B 5 ST M31 Andromeda Gal 178x63
M 32 00 42.8 +40 53 456 8.2 GALAXY E2 UGC 452 C 5 ST M32 Comp of M31 7.6x5.8
M 33 01 33.9 +30 40 3720 5.7 GALAXY Sc II-III UGC 1117 C 5 ST M33 Triangulum Gal 62x39
M 34 02 42.0 +42 47 2100 5.2v OPEN CLUS CNGC 1039 C 1 ST M34
M 35 06 08.9 +24 21 1680 5.1v OPEN CLUS sp=B5 CNGC 2168 C 1 ST M35 2800ly

M 36 05 36.2 +34 08 720 6.0v OPEN CLUS CNGC 1960 C 1 ST M36

M 37 05 52.4 +32 33 1440 5.6v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 2099 C 1 ST M37 4200ly
M 38 05 28.7 +35 51 1260 6.4v OPEN CLUS sp=B5 CNGC 1912 C 1 ST M38 4600ly
M 39 21 32.2 +48 26 1920 4.6v OPEN CLUS CNGC 7092 D 1 ST M39
M 40 12 36.4 +25 59 972 9.6 GALAXY Sb I: + 3-SYS FNT UGC 7772 B A ST M40 16.2x2.8 Edge-On Lane

M 41 06 47.1 -20 45 2280 4.5v OPEN CLUS sp=B4 CNGC 2287 C 1 ST M41 2200ly
M 42 05 35.3 -05 23 3960 3.9 DIFF RNEB + ENEB CNGC 1976 A 3 ST M42 Orion Nebula Blue+Red
M 43 05 35.5 -05 16 1200 5.8 DIFF RNEB + ENEB CNGC 1982 C 3 ST M43 Orion Nebula Extension
M 44 08 40.1 +19 59 5700 3.1v OPEN CLUS sp=A0 CNGC 2632 C 1 ST M44 Praesepe/Beehive 590ly
M 45 03 47.1 +24 07 7200 1.6 OPEN CLUS + RNEB sp=B6 CNGC 1457 c 6 ST M45 Pleiades 410ly

M 46 07 41.9 -14 49 1620 6.1v OPEN CLUS sp=B8 CNGC 2437 C 1 ST M46 5400ly (+CNGC 2438 PN)
M 47 07 36.6 -14 29 1800 4.4v OPEN CLUS sp=B3 CNGC 2422 D 1 ST M47 1600ly
M 48 08 13.7 -05 47 3240 5.8v OPEN CLUS CNGC 2548 D 1 ST M48
M 49 12 29.8 +08 00 534 8.4 GALAXY E4 UGC 7629 C 5 ST M49 8.9x7.4
M 50 07 02.9 -08 20 960 5.9v OPEN CLUS CNGC 2323 D 1 ST M50

M 51 13 30.0 +47 11 660 8.4 GALAXY Sc I 2-SYS FACE UGC 8493 B A ST M51 11.0x7.8 Whirlpool Gal
M 52 23 24.2 +61 36 780 6.9v OPEN CLUS CNGC 7654 D 1 ST M52
M 53 13 13.0 +18 10 756 7.7v GLOB CLUS CNGC 5024 D 2 ST M53
M 54 18 55.2 -30 28 546 7.7v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6715 D 2 ST M54
M 55 19 40.1 -30 56 1140 7.0 GLOB CLUS sp=F5 CNGC 6809 D 2 ST M55 20kly

M 56 19 16.6 +30 10 426 8.3v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6779 D 2 ST M56

M 57 18 53.5 +33 02 150 9.7p PLAN NEB RING-LIKE CNGC 6720 B 4 ST M57 Ring Nebula 5kly
M 58 12 37.8 +11 49 324 9.8 GALAXY Sb UGC 7796 C 5 ST M58 5.4x4.4 Near CNGC 4621
M 59 12 42.1 +11 38 306 9.8 GALAXY E3 UGC 7858 D 5 ST M59 5.1x3.4 Near CNGC 4579
M 60 12 43.7 +11 33 432 8.8 GALAXY E1 UGC 7898 D 5 ST M60 7.2x6.2 Near CNGC 4621
 - 50 -
M (Messier) Catalog (continued)

M# RA DEC SIZE MAG TYPE & DESCRIPTION ALT NAME Q TAGS COMMON NAME/COMMENTS

M 61 12 22.0 +04 28 360 9.7 GALAXY Sc I 2-SYS UGC 7420 D A ST M61 6.0x5.5 Face-On
M 62 17 01.3 -30 07 846 6.6v GLOB CLUS OBLATE CNGC 6266 D 2 ST M62 Non-symmetrical
M 63 13 15.8 +42 02 738 8.6 GALAXY Sb+ II UGC 8334 C 5 ST M63 12.3x7.6 Sunflower Gal
M 64 12 56.7 +21 41 558 8.5 GALAXY Sb- UGC 8062 C 5 ST M64 9.3x5.4 Black Eye Gal
M 65 11 18.9 +13 05 600 9.3 GALAXY Sb II: UGC 6328 C 5 ST M65 10.0x3.3 Near M66

M 66 11 20.2 +12 59 522 9.0 GALAXY Sb+ II: UGC 6346 C 5 ST M66 8.7x4.4 Near M65
M 67 08 51.1 +11 49 1800 6.9v OPEN CLUS sp=F2 CNGC 2682 D 1 ST M67 Very old 2700ly
M 68 12 39.4 -26 46 720 8.2v GLOB CLUS CNGC 4590 D 2 ST M68
M 69 18 31.4 -32 21 426 7.7v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6637 D 2 ST M69
M 70 18 43.2 -32 18 468 8.1v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6681 D 2 ST M70

M 71 19 53.7 +18 47 432 8.3v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6838 D 2 ST M71

M 72 20 53.5 -12 33 354 9.4v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6981 D 2 ST M72
M 73 20 59.0 -12 37 168 8.9p OPEN CLUS CNGC 6994 D 1 ST M73
M 74 01 36.7 +15 47 612 9.2 GALAXY Sc I UGC 1149 D 5 ST M74 10.2x9.5
M 75 20 06.2 -21 55 360 8.6v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6864 D 2 ST M75

M 76 01 42.0 +51 34 290 12.2 PLAN NEB PART OF 0651 CNGC 0650 C 4 ST M76 Little Dumbbell Nebula
M 77 02 42.7 -00 01 414 8.8 GALAXY Sbp SEYFERT UGC 2188 D 5 ST M77 6.9x5.9 Seyfert Galaxy
M 78 05 46.8 +00 03 480 11.3 DIFF RNEB CNGC 2068 C 3 ST M78 Blue 1500ly
M 79 05 24.2 -24 31 522 8.0v GLOB CLUS CNGC 1904 D 2 ST M79
M 80 16 17.1 -23 00 534 7.2v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6093 D 2 ST M80

M 81 09 55.7 +69 04 1542 6.9 GALAXY Sb I-II CNGC 3031 C 5 ST M81 25.7x14.1 Near M82
M 82 09 55.9 +69 41 672 8.4 GALAXY P EDGE-ON UGC 5322 C 5 ST M82 11.2x4.6 Exploding
M 83 13 37.1 -29 51 672 8.2 GALAXY Sc I-II FACE-ON CNGC 5236 B 5 ST M83 11.2x10.2
M 84 12 25.1 +12 53 300 9.3 GALAXY E1 UGC 7494 C 5 ST M84 5.0x4.4 Near M86
M 85 12 25.5 +18 11 426 9.2 GALAXY Ep 2-SYS UGC 7508 C A ST M85 7.1x5.2

M 86 12 26.3 +12 56 444 9.2 GALAXY E3 UGC 7532 C 5 ST M86 7.4x5.5

M 87 12 30.9 +12 23 432 8.6 GALAXY E1 + E0 2-SYS UGC 7654 D A ST M87 7.2x6.8 + CNGC 4471
M 88 12 32.1 +14 25 414 9.5 GALAXY Sb+ I MULTI-ARM UGC 7675 D 5 ST M88 6.9x3.9
M 89 12 35.7 +12 33 252 9.8 GALAXY E0 UGC 7760 D 5 ST M89 4.2x4.2
M 90 12 36.9 +13 09 570 9.5 GALAXY Sb+ UGC 7786 C 5 ST M90 9.5x4.7

M 91 12 35.5 +14 29 324 10.2 GALAXY SBb + Sc 2-SYS UGC 7753 D A ST M91 5.4x4.4 Near CNGC 4571
M 92 17 17.2 +43 09 672 6.5v GLOB CLUS sp=F1 CNGC 6341 D 2 ST M92 X-Ray Source 26kly
M 93 07 44.6 -23 52 1320 6.2v OPEN CLUS + DNEB CNGC 2447 D 6 ST M93 Includes dark nebula
M 94 12 50.9 +41 08 660 8.2 GALAXY Sb-p II: UGC 7996 C 5 ST M94 11.0x9.1
M 95 10 43.9 +11 42 444 9.7 GALAXY S(B)b II UGC 5850 C 5 ST M95 7.4x5.1 Near M96

M 96 10 46.7 +11 49 426 9.2 GALAXY Sbp UGC 5882 C 5 ST M96 7.1x5.1 Near M95
M 97 11 14.8 +55 02 194 12.0p PLAN NEB CNGC 3587 C 4 ST M97 Owl Nebula 12kly
M 98 12 13.9 +14 54 570 10.1 GALAXY Sb I-II: 3-SYS UGC 7231 D A ST M98 9.5x3.2
M 99 12 18.9 +14 25 324 9.8 GALAXY Sc I NEAR FACE-ON UGC 7345 D 5 ST M99 5.4x4.8
M100 12 23.0 +15 49 414 9.4 GALAXY Sc I FACE-ON UGC 7450 D 5 ST M100 6.9x6.2 Brite Nucleus

M101 14 03.3 +54 21 1614 7.7 GALAXY Sc I FACE-ON UGC 8981 C5S M101 26.9x26.3 Pinwheel
M102 15 06.5 +55 45 312 10.0 GALAXY E6p 2-SYS UGC 9723 D A ST M102 5.2x2.3
M103 01 33.3 +60 43 360 7.4v OPEN CLUS CNGC 0581 D 1 ST M103
M104 12 39.9 -11 38 534 8.3 GALAXY Sb- CNGC 4594 C 5 ST M104 8.9x4.1 “Sombrero”
M105 10 47.8 +12 35 270 9.3 GALAXY E1 2-SYS UGC 5902 C A ST M105 4.5x4.0

M106 12 19.0 +47 18 1092 8.3 GALAXY Sb+p UGC 7353 C 5 ST M106 18.2x7.9
M107 16 32.5 -13 02 600 8.1v GLOB CLUS CNGC 6171 D 2 ST M107
M108 11 11.6 +55 41 498 10.1 GALAXY Sc NEAR EDGE-ON UGC 6225 C 5 ST M108 8.3x2.5 Near M97
M109 11 57.6 +53 22 456 9.8 GALAXY S(B)b+ I UGC 6937 D 5 ST M109 7.6x4.9
M110 00 40.4 +41 42 1044 8.0 GALAXY E6: UGC 426 C 5 ST M110 Comp of M31 17.4x9.8
 - 51 -
APPENDIX E: some small particles on the inside or outside of telescope
MAINTAINING YOUR LX200 optics. Should the optics get more dust on them than you would
care for, simply use a photographic grade camel hair brush with
1. Keeping Your Telescope Clean very gentle strokes. You can also blow off dust with an ear
Prevention is the best recommendation that a telescope owner syringe (available from a local pharmacy).
can follow to keep astronomical equipment in top working There is a point, however, when the optics must be cleaned.
order. Proper measures taken during observation and when This is when you can easily tell that there is a thin layer of fine
storing equipment between observing runs can add many particulates that make the optics look very slightly hazy. To
years of trouble free use. clean the optics we must suggest that you make your own lens
Dust and moisture are the two main enemies to your cleaning solutions, since it is impossible to know all of the
instrument. When observing, it is advisable to use a proper ingredients used in commercial lens cleaners. Pure isopropyl
fitting dew shield. The dew shield not only prevents dew from alcohol (90% or better) will clean most residual film build-up on
forming, and dust from settling on the corrector plate lens, it optical surfaces (and metal surfaces too).
prevents stray light from reducing image contrast. Organic materials (e.g., fingerprints) on the front lens may be
Although dew shields go a long way to prevent moisture build- removed with a solution of 3 parts distilled water to 1 part
up, there can be times when the telescope optics will have a isopropyl alcohol. A single drop of biodegradable dishwashing
uniform coating of moist dew. This is not particularly harmful, as soap may be added per pint of solution. Use soft, white facial
long as the instrument is allowed to let the dew evaporate. This tissues and make short, gentle strokes. Change tissues often.
can be done with a hair dryer, or just setting up the telescope CAUTION: Do not use scented, colored, or lotioned
indoors with the dust covers removed. It is also advisable that tissues or damage could result to the optics.
you let the foam lined case for the LX200 dry out indoors for a
day if the night was moist. Packing your telescope away in a Sprayer bottles are a convenient dispenser of lens cleaning
moist case can result in giving it a steam bath later. solutions onto the tissues. Use soft, white facial tissues and
make short, gentle strokes. Change tissues often. If the optics
CAUTION: Anytime the LX200 is being stored or are small (such as viewfinders or eyepieces), the tissue can be
transported, be sure to release the R.A. and Dec. rolled to the appropriate thickness and then broken in half to
locks, to prevent serious damage to the drive gears. create two cleaning wands. It is advised that you avoid many of
the so-called lens cleaning papers (many which contain
fiberglass), lens cloths, or chamois.
CAUTION: Never attempt to wipe down optics that are
covered with dew. Dust and dirt may be trapped with Before attempting to clean an optical surface with a liquid
the collected dew, and upon wiping the optics you solution, it is very important that as much dust as possible is
may scratch them. After the dew has evaporated you removed by using forced air and/or gentle strokes with a
will most likely find them in fine condition for the next photographic grade camel hair brush. The forced air can come
observing session. from a rubber ear syringe, or canned compressed air from a
photographic supply store. Be sure to hold the canned air in a
If you live in a very moist climate, you may find it necessary to vertical position and try spraying compressed air on your hand
use silica desiccant stored in the telescope’s case to ward off before aiming at the optics to see if any of the propellant (solid
moisture and the possibility of fungus growing on and within the material) comes out. Propellant is very difficult to remove from
coatings of the optics. Replace the desiccant as often as optics, so take care not to tip the can when using it. If you have
necessary. access to a compressor hose, be sure that it is filtered to
Those living in coastal areas or tropic zones should also cover prevent oil from being sprayed on the optics.
the electronic ports on the power panel and the keypad with Once you are confident that you have removed most of the dust
gaffers tape to reduce corrosion on the metal contacts. Apply a and large particles, begin cleaning with the mixture described
dab of a water displacement solution (i.e. WD-40) with a small above. Pour or spray enough solution onto a pillow or wand of
brush on all interior metal contacts and the input cord metal tissue until it is quite wet. If you are cleaning a corrector plate,
contacts. The keypad and all separate accessories should be use radial strokes with a smooth pillow of tissue, starting from
kept in sealable plastic bags with silica desiccant. the center out, using no pressure. If you are cleaning small
A thick layer of dust will attract and absorb moisture on all optical surfaces, use the rolled wands of tissue starting from
exposed surfaces. Left unattended, it can cause damaging the edges then spiraling in to the center, again using no
corrosion. To keep dust at bay when observing, the telescope pressure. Never pour or spray the solution onto the corrector
can be set up on a small section of indoor/outdoor carpet. If you plate or eyepieces themselves, as the liquid may go behind or
are observing for more than one night in a row, the telescope in between lenses, where it is difficult or impossible to reach.
can be left set up but covered with a large plastic bag (such as Never attempt to disassemble an eyepiece to clean the inner
the one supplied with the telescope). The rear cell opening of elements, as you will certainly not be able to properly center
the LX200 can also be sealed off to the elements by threading and re-assemble the optical train.
on the optional accessory Skylight 1A Dust Seal. Eyepieces, Use dry tissue to make the final clean up, again using no
diagonals, and other accessories are best kept in plastic bags pressure. If there is still some sort of residue, repeat the
and stored in cases, such as the Meade #50 Accessory Case. procedure using the three part formula described above, again
All of the non optical surfaces of the LX200 should be cleaned using the same cleaning techniques.
routinely with a soft rag and alcohol to prevent corrosion. The The inside surface of the corrector plate and secondary mirror
cast metal surfaces and the individual exposed screws can also may at some point become dirty due to particles falling inside
be kept looking new and corrosion free by wiping them down the tube when removing or replacing the rear dust cover or
with a water displacement solution. Take care not to smear the threading on accessories. To reduce the chance of interior
solution onto any optical surface, and to wipe up any excess contamination, the Meade Skylight 1A Dust Seal is very
solution with a clean dry cloth. The painted tube can be effective. If the Dust Seal is not used, it helps to have the rear
polished with a liquid car polish and a soft rag. cell pointed downward when replacing the rear dust cover or
Surprisingly, the most common telescope maintenance attaching accessories.
error is cleaning the optics too often. A little dust on any of Another more serious, but not damaging problem is the
the optical surfaces causes virtually zero degradation of optical possibility of a hazy (usually uneven) film building up on the
performance. It should be of no concern whatsoever to see inside of the corrector plate. This can be caused by
 - 52 -
environmental pollutants, or temperature changes reacting with 2. Collimation of the Optical System
the interior paint, causing outgassing or water condensation, or The optical collimation (alignment) of any astronomical
combinations thereof. telescope used for serious purposes is important, but in cases
It is possible to clean the interior of the optical system yourself of the Schmidt-Cassegrain design of the 8”, 10”, and 12”
or to have it done professionally. In the case of the former, take LX200, such collimation is absolutely essential for good
great care in handling the optics. Any impact or rough handling performance. Take special care to read and understand this
can damage the surfaces, which may require complete optical section well so that your LX200 will give you the best optical
replacement at Meade Instruments at substantial cost. Meade performance.
Instruments assumes no liability for damage incurred to the NOTE: The 7” LX200 does not require collimation.
telescope by the customer.
For final optical tests, every Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain is
The cleaning techniques described above are used while precisely collimated at the factory before shipment. Our
cleaning the interior of the optical system, with one exception: company is well aware that through shipment and normal
Do not apply cleaning solutions to the front surface handling, the optical alignment can be degraded. The design of
mirrored optics. Only use the soft camel hair brush and the the optical support system make the method of collimation easy
suggested ear syringe for removing particles. The corrector to do. Even the uninitiated can make an alignment of the optics
plate can be cleaned in the normal manner. to the same high precision that is performed at the Meade
To remove the corrector plate, follow the instructions below: Instruments Optical Laboratories.
a. Remove the six (8” and 12” models) or the eight (10” To check the collimation of your LX200, center a bright star that
model) stainless steel screws that hold the corrector plate is overhead, or use a reflected “hot spot” of reflected sunlight
retaining ring with the raised white lettering in place. This from a chrome car bumper or a telephone pole insulator, with
should be done with the Drive Base placed flat on a work the supplied 26mm eyepiece. To make a correct evaluation of
bench, and the optical tube assembly pointed up at a 45- the alignment it helps if the telescope has been allowed to
degree angle with the declination lock secure to prevent either cool down or warm up to the ambient temperature where
accidental dislodging of the corrector plate. the instrument is set up. Temperature differences between the
optics and the outside air can cause distortion in the images.
b. Remove the plastic retaining ring and locate the two white
alignment marks, one at the edge of the corrector plate With the star or hot spot centered, de-focus the image. You will
lens and one beside it on the black metal front cell. These notice that the out of focus star image looks like a ring of light
two marks line up and serve as the precise rotational (the dark center of the ring is the shadow of the secondary
position of the corrector plate in the optical train. If no mirror). Turn the focus knob until the ring of light fills about 1/8th
marks exist, make them yourself with a small paintbrush of the eyepiece field. Take note that if you keep de-focusing the
and some white paint, so that when you return the star past about 1/8th of a field, that the ring will look perfectly
corrector plate to the front cell you are putting it back in concentric (even on all sides) even if the optics are out of
the same position that you took it off. alignment, thus preventing you from seeing any misalignments.
If the ring of light does not seem to be even on all sides, or if
c. Remove the corrector plate from the telescope, holding it
the dark center seems to be offset in the in the ring of light,
by the plastic central secondary housing. Gently flip it over
follow the method below:
so that the secondary mirror is facing you, then reinsert
the corrector plate back into the front cell. This will allow a. To make collimation easy, the only adjustments possible
you full access to clean the interior optical surfaces on the 8”, 10”, and 12” LX200 come from the three set
without touching them with your fingers. screws (1, 2, and 3, Fig.26) located at the edge of the
outer surface of the secondary mirror housing.
d. When cleaning is complete, replace the corrector plate in
it’s original position, carefully lining up the rotational index WARNING: DO NOT FORCE THE 3 COLLIMATION
marks described in paragraph b, above. Then replace the SCREWS PAST THEIR NORMAL TRAVEL AND DO NOT
retainer. Partially thread in all of the stainless steel LOOSEN THEM MORE THAN 2 FULL TURNS
screws, then, one at a time, snug the screws down to (COUNTER-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION), OR THE
prevent the corrector plate from rotating in the front cell. SECONDARY MIRROR MAY COME LOOSE FROM ITS
Take care not to overtighten the screws as it will stress the SUPPORT. YOU WILL FIND THAT THE ADJUSTMENTS
corrector plate lens. ARE VERY SENSITIVE: USUALLY, ONLY TURNING A
e. A final check of the optical system is to inspect for proper COLLIMATION SCREW 1/2 A TURN WILL GIVE
collimation (alignment) of the optics. DRAMATIC RESULTS.

b. While looking at the de-focused star image and noticing

which direction the darker shadow is offset in the ring of
light or noticing which part of the ring is the thinnest
(1, Fig. 27), place your index finger in front of the
telescope so that it touches one of the collimation set
screws. You will see the shadow of your finger in the ring
1
of light. Move your finger (or an assistants finger) around
2 the edge of the black plastic secondary mirror support
until you see the shadow of the finger crossing the
thinnest part of the ring of light. At this point, look at the
front of the telescope where your (or your assistants)
3 finger is aiming. It will either be pointing directly at a set
screw, or it will be between two set screws aiming at the
set screw on the far side of the black plastic secondary
mirror support. This is the set screw that you will adjust.
c. Using the telescope’s slow motion controls, move the de-
focused image to the edge of the eyepiece field of view
Fig. 26: Collimation of the Optical System. (1), (2), (3) Set (2, Fig. 27), in the same direction as the darker shadow is
screws for adjusting collimation. offset in the ring of light.
 - 53 -

(1) (2) (3)

Fig. 27: De-focused Star Images.

d. Turn the set screw that you found with the pointing standard 1.0 amp slow-blow fuse (2, Fig. 28). The long-life
exercise while looking in the eyepiece. You will notice that lithium battery (Panasonic CR2032 3 vDC or Duracell
the star image will move across the field. If while turning, DL2032B) is stored behind the front panel of the Drive Base.
the out-of-focus star image flies out of the eyepiece field, The battery does have to be changed every few years, and is
then you are turning the screw the wrong way. Turn the done by unthreading the four phillips-head screws that secure
opposite direction and bring the image to the center of the the Front Panel to the Drive Base. Then with a thin flat-head
field. screw driver, lift the small coin-size battery out of its holder. The
e. If while turning, you feel the screw get very loose, tighten new battery simply slides in place.
the other two screws by even amounts. If while turning, The 1.0 amp slow-blow fuse will sacrifice itself to protect the
the set screw gets too tight, unthread the other two by LX200 electronics in the event that the telescope is prevented
even amounts. from completing a GO TO function (e.g., the tube runs into
f. When you bring the image to center (3, Fig. 27), carefully something that keeps it from slewing).
examine the evenness of the ring of light (concentricity). If
you find that the dark center is still off in the same 1 2
direction, continue to make the adjustment in the original
turning direction. If it is now off in the opposite direction,
you have turned too far and you need to turn in the
opposite direction. Always double check the image in the
center of the field of the eyepiece.
g. You may find after your initial adjustment that the dark
center is off in a new direction (e.g., instead of side-to-
side, it is off in an up-and-down direction). If this is the
case follow steps b through f as described above to find
the new adjustment screw.
Fig. 28: Reverse Side of Power Panel. (1) Fuse; (2) Battery.
h. Now try a higher power (e.g., 9mm or less) eyepiece and
repeat the above tests. Any lack of collimation at this point
will require only very slight adjustments of the 3 set
5. Factory Servicing and Repairs
screws. You now have a good collimation. Meade LX200 models have been designed and manufactured
for years of trouble-free operation and repairs should rarely be
i. As a final check on alignment, examine the star image in- necessary. If a problem does occur, first write or call our
focus with the higher power eyepiece as suggested Customer Service Department. Do not return the telescope
above, under good seeing conditions (e.g., steady until you have communicated with us in this way, since the
atmospheric conditions). The star point should appear as great majority of problems can be handled without the return of
a small central dot (the so-called “Airy disc”) with a the telescope to us. However, should the occasion arise that
diffraction ring surrounding it. To give a final precision the instrument requires factory servicing, a Meade Instruments
collimation, make extremely slight adjustments of the 3 Customer Service Representative will issue a Return Goods
set screws, if necessary, to center the Airy disc in the Authorization (RGA) number and give you full instructions on
diffraction ring. You now have the best alignment of the how to use it. Product returned without the RGA number may
optics possible. greatly delay any servicing or repairs. When telephoning or
writing, please explain the exact nature of the problem so that
3. Right Ascension Lock we may offer a prompt remedial procedure. Be sure to include
After a period of time, it is possible that the R.A. lock (7, Fig. 1) your full name, address, phone and fax numbers where you
of the LX200 will not tighten sufficiently due to internal wear of can be reached.
the clutch mechanism. In such an event, remove the R.A. lock
lever using one of the hex wrenches supplied with the Should you live outside of the United States, contact your
telescope. Then, with a pair of pliers, tighten the shaft Authorized Meade Distributor.
protruding outward from the drive base until you cannot easily You can reach the Meade Instruments Customer Service
rotate the fork arm in R.A. (Take care in this operation not to Department either by mail, phone, or fax at: Meade Instruments
damage the cosmetic finish of your LX200). Replace the R.A. Corporation, 6001 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92620-4205,
lock lever so that the handle points straight out from the cross- telephone (949) 451-1450, or fax (949) 451-1460. Outside of
bar connecting the fork arm. the U.S.A., dial your International Access Code, then 1, then
the ten digit number above in the 949 area code. Customer
4. Behind the Power Panel Service hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Pacific Time, Monday
The LX200 power panel houses the back-up replaceable through Friday.
battery (1, Fig. 28) for the clock and calendar and a replaceable
 - 54 -
APPENDIX F:
LX200 PERSONAL COMPUTER CONTROL 635241
Remote operation of a computerized telescope has only been
Telescope
a fanciful dream for most amateur astronomers. The realization
of fully controlling a telescope through a personal computer has Panel
previously been a staggering proposition involving high Connector
monetary cost and expert knowledge of software and
hardware.
The LX200’s internal software supports the RS-232 interface,
requiring only a serial communication program such as
Procomm. With a serial communication program, you can use
the individual commands from the LX200 Command Set to
simulate keypad control functions of the LX200. Every LX200
command and mode is available to explore the Object Library,
to adjust slewing speeds, or to adjust focus with the optional
#1206 Electric Focuser, just to name a few, with a simple RS-
232 line connection to virtually any computer. 6 3 5 2 4 1
If you are not a professional programmer, but wish to explore
remote operation of the LX200 with your computer, there are Fig. 29: LX200 Modular Connector.
after-market software programs available specifically for the
LX200, including AstroSearch from Meade Instruments Corp.
10 CLS
What follows is a schematic for constructing your own RS-232 20 DEFINT A-X
cable, a program to test the RS-232 communication line called 30 OPEN "COM1:9600,N,8,1,CD0,CS0,DS0,RS," FOR RANDOM
LX200 TEST, the LX200 Command Set, and LX200 DEMO, AS #1
which is a program that you can enter into your computer to 50 key1$ = INKEY$: IF key1$ = "" THEN GO TO 50
access the Object Library, slew to the object, and center the 60 REM KEY1S
image. 70 IF key1$ = CHR$(119) THEN GOSUB 200: REM "w" key
80 IF key1$ = CHR$(101) THEN GOSUB 200: REM "e" key
1. RS-232 Cable 90 IF key1$ = CHR$(110) THEN GOSUB 200: REM "n" key
The input hardware uses a standard 6-line telephone jack 100 IF key1$ = CHR$(115) THEN GOSUB 200: REM "s" key
connector, pre-attached to a 6-conductor flat line telephone 105 IF key1$ = "x" THEN END: REM To exit test.
style cable (of any length, up to 100’ and perhaps even more, 110 GO TO 50
depending on the gauge of the cable). You will also need either 120 END
a 9-pin or 25-pin RS-232 connector, whichever your computer 200 REM directions
uses for the serial port. All of the above items are available at 210 REM west
most electronics hardware stores. 220 IF key1$ = "w" THEN a$ = "#:Mw#": PRINT #1, a$: REM GO west
230 REM east
Fig. 29 shows the LX200 pinouts for the 6-line telephone 240 IF key1$ = "e" THEN a$ = "#:Me#": PRINT #1, a$: REM GO east
connector. The table below shows standard IBM compatible 250 REM north
DB-9 and DB-25 serial port pin outs,** and how they should be 260 IF key1$ = "n" THEN a$ = "#:Mn#": PRINT #1, a$: REM GO north
connected to the LX200 6-line modular connector. 270 REM south:
NOTE: Only 3 wires are required. 280 IF key1$ = "s" THEN a$ = "#:Ms#": PRINT #1, a$: REM GO south
290 key1$ = INKEY$:
2. LX200 Test Program 300 IF key1$ = CHR$(32) THEN GO TO 400 ELSE GO TO 200
Once you have the RS-232 cable constructed you will want to 400 REM This stops motion (by hitting SPACE bar).
test the cable. Below is a simple program called “LX200 TEST” 410 B$ = "#:Qe#": PRINT #1, B$
that is written in GW Basic programming language and will 420 B$ = "#:Qw#": PRINT #1, B$
work with virtually any IBM compatible computer. LX200 TEST 430 B$ = "#:Qn#": PRINT #1, B$
is an effective program to fully check the RS-232 line 440 B$ = "#:Qs#": PRINT #1, B$
communications from your personal computer to the LX200, 450 RETURN
allowing you to concentrate on de-bugging your RS-232 cable. 460 END

To enter the following program, first load BASIC or GWBASIC To use the above program, connect the completed cable to
(whichever your computer system uses), then type in the your PC serial port and to the LX200 RS-232 Port. Load BASIC
following program. When complete, be sure to save the (or GWBASIC), if not already loaded, and run
program as “LX200TST.BAS.” “LX200TST.BAS.” Nothing will appear on the computer screen.
Press any one of the N, S, E, or W (lower case) keys on your

LX200 RS-232 CONNECTOR PIN OUT CODE LEGEND

6 WIRE MODULAR DESCRIPTION TO DB-9 CONNECTOR TO DB-25
CONNECTOR PIN#*** CONNECTOR PIN#***
#1 +12 VOLTS DC NOT USED NOT USED
#2 MISC. SERIAL OUT NOT USED NOT USED
#3 PC TRANSMIT DATA #3 #2
#4 GROUND #5 #7
#5 PC RECEIVE DATA #2 #3
#6 MISC. SERIAL IN NOT USED NOT USED
 - 55 -
PC keyboard, this will move the LX200 North, South, East, or DD*
West respectively. Press the space bar on the PC keyboard to Example 56*
stop. Press X to exit the program. Range 00* - 90*
“Higher” parameter (degrees).
If the LX200 does not respond to the N, S, E, or W keys, be
sure the CAPSLOCK is OFF. If it still does not work, check the TT.T
PC serial port pinouts of your computer to be sure they are Example 59.2
wired correctly to the LX200 6-line connector. Range 56.4 - 60.1
With a successful check-out of the PC link with the LX200 using Tracking “frequency.”
LX200 TEST, you are now ready to write your own software <obj> info
program using the LX200 Command Set, or to use the sample Example CNGC1976 SU DNEBMAG 3.9 SZ 66.0'
program called “DEMO” that is written in Quick Basic software Range n/a
language. Object information.

3. LX200 Command Set Ok

Intended for professional programmers, the LX200 Command Example 1
Set is used to write custom software for remote operation of the Range 0 or 1
telescope with a PC. Each command is listed in a section Status value returned after setting values. If the value
appropriate to its type. Each entry in the command list includes is legal 1 is returned, otherwise 0 is returned.
the command name, any parameters, any return values, and a b. General Telescope Information
description. The parameters and the return data are shown in Command :GR#
a manner that indicates their format. These formats are listed Returns +HH:MM.T#
below along with examples of how the data might actually Gets the current Right Ascension.
appear, the legal range of values, and a short description.
Below is a detailed description: Command :GD#
Returns sDD*MM#
a. Command Set Formats Gets the current Declination.
HH:MM.T
Example 05:47.4 Command :GA#
Range 00:00.0 - 23:59.9 Returns sDD*MM#
Hours, minutes, and tenths of minutes. Gets the current Altitude.

sDD*MM Command :GZ#

Example +45*59 Returns DDD*MM#
Range -90*00 - +90*00 Gets the current Azimuth.
Signed degrees and minutes (the '*' represents
ASCII 223 which appears on the handbox as a Command :GS#
degree symbol). Returns HH:MM:SS#
Gets the current sidereal time.
DDD*MM
Example 254*09 Command :SS HH:MM:SS#
Range 000*00 - 359*59 Returns Ok
Unsigned degrees and minutes. Sets the sidereal time.
HH:MM:SS Command :GL#
Example 13:15:36 :Ga#
Range 00:00:00 - 23:59:59 Returns HH:MM:SS#
Hours, minutes, and seconds. Gets the local time either in 24 hour (GL) or 12 hour (Ga)
format.
MM/DD/YY
Example 02/06/92 Command :SL HH:MM:SS#
Range 01/01/00 - 12/31/99 (see description) Returns Ok
Month, day, and year. The two digit year Sets the local time. NOTE: The parameter should always
indicates the following: be in 24 hour format.
92-99 = 1992-1999
00-91 = 2000-2091 Command :GC#
Returns MM/DD/YY#
sHH Gets the calendar date.
Example -5
Range -24 - +24 Command :SC MM/DD/YY#
Signed hour offset. Returns Ok (see description)
Sets the calendar date. NOTE: After the Ok, if the date is
NNNN valid, two strings will be sent. The first will contain the
Example 3456 message “Updating planetary data,” the second (sent
Range 0000 - 9999 after the planetary calculations) will contain only blanks.
Four digit object number. Both strings will be terminated by the “#” symbol.
sMM.M Command :Gt#
Example 02.4 Returns sDD*MM#
Range 05.5 - 20.0 Gets the latitude of the currently selected site.
Signed magnitude value.
Command :St sDD*MM#
NNN Returns Ok
Example 134 Sets the latitude of the currently selected site.
Range 000 - 200
Three digit object size (minutes). Command :Gg#
Returns DDD*MM#
Gets the longitude of the currently selected site.
 - 56 -
Command :Sg DDD*MM# commands except “:Q#” and “:h?#” are disabled during
Returns Ok the search.
Sets the longitude of the currently selected site.
Command :hP#
Command :GG# Returns Nothing
Returns sHH# Slews the telescope to the home position.
Gets the offset from Greenwich Mean Time.
Command :h?#
Command :SG sHH# Returns 0, 1, or 2
Returns Ok Returns the home status: 0 if home search failed or not
Sets the offset from Greenwich Mean Time. yet attempted, 1 if home position found, or 2 if a home
search is in progress.
Command :W1#
:W2# e. Library/Objects
:W3# Command :Gr#
:W4# Returns HH:MM.T#
Returns Nothing Gets object right ascension.
Sets the current site number.
Command :Sr HH:MM.T#
c. Telescope Motion Returns Ok
Command :Mn# Sets object right ascension.
:Ms#
:Me# Command :Gd#
:Mw# Returns sDD*MM#
Returns Nothing Gets object declination.
Starts motion in the specified direction at the current rate.
Command :Sd sDD*MM#
Command :MS# Returns Ok
Returns 0, 1, 2, or 4 (see description) Sets object declination.
Slews telescope to current object coordinates. 0 is Command :Sa sDD*MM#
returned if the telescope can complete the slew, 1 is Returns Ok
returned if the object is below the horizon, 2 is returned if Sets object altitude (for MA command).
the object is below the “higher” limit, and 4 is returned if
the object is above the lower limit. If 1, 2, or 4 is returned, Command :Sz DDD*MM#
a string containing an appropriate message is also Returns Ok
returned. Sets object azimuth (for MA command).

Command :MA# Command :CM#

Returns 0 Returns (see description)
Slews telescope to object alt-az coordinates (set with the Sync. Matches current telescope coordinates to the
Sa and Sz commands). This command only works in the object coordinates and sends a string indicating which
LAND and ALTAZ modes. object’s coordinates were used.

Command :Qn# Command :Gy#

:Qs# Returns GPDCO#
:Qe# Gets the “type” string for the FIND operation. A capital
:Qw# letter means that the corresponding type is selected while
Returns Nothing a lower case letter indicates it is not.
Stops motion in the specified direction. Also stops the
telescope if a slew to an object is in progress. Command :Sy GPDCO#
Returns Ok
Command :Q# Sets the “type” string for the FIND operation.
Returns Nothing
Stops a slew to an object. Command :Gq#
Returns SU#, EX#, VG#, GD#, FR#, PR#, or VP#
Command :RG# Gets the current minimum quality for the FIND operation.
:RC#
:RM# Command :Sq#
:RS# Returns Nothing
Returns Nothing Steps to the next minimum quality for the FIND operation.
Sets the motion rate to guide (RG), center (RC), find (RM), Command :Gh#
or slew (RS). Returns DD*#
Command :Sw N# Gets the current “higher” limit.\
Returns Ok Command :Sh DD#
Sets the maximum slew rate to “N” degrees per second Returns Ok
where N is 2 through 4. Sets the current “higher” limit.
d. Home Position Command :Go#
Command :hS#
Returns DD*#
Returns Nothing
Gets the current “lower” limit.
Starts a home position search and saves the telescope
position. NOTE: All commands except “:Q#” and “:h?#” Command :So DD*#
are disabled during the search. Returns Ok
Sets the current “lower” limit.
Command :hF#
Returns Nothing Command :Gb#
Starts a home position search and sets the telescope :Gf#
position according to the saved values. NOTE: All Returns sMM.M#
 - 57 -
Gets the brighter (Gb) or fainter (Gf) magnitude limit for :B1#
the FIND operation. :B2#
:B3#
Command :Sb sMM.M# Returns Nothing
:Sf sMM.M# Increases (B+) or decreases (B-) reticle brightness, or
Returns Ok sets to one of the flashing modes (B0, B1, B2, or B3).
Sets the brighter (Sb) or fainter (Sf) magnitude limit for the
FIND operation. Command :F+#
:F-#
Command :Gl# :FQ#
:Gs# :FF#
Returns NNN'# :FS#
Gets the larger (Gl) or smaller (Gs) size limit for the FIND Returns Nothing
operation. Starts focus out (F+), starts focus in (F-), stops focus
change (FQ), sets focus fast (FF), or sets focus slow (FS).
Command :Sl NNN#
:Ss NNN# Command :GM#
Returns Ok :GN#
Sets the larger (Sl) or smaller (Ss) size limit for the FIND :GO#
operation. :GP#
Returns XYZ#
Command :GF#
Gets SITE name (XYZ). M through N correspond to 1
Returns NNN'#
through 4.
Gets the field radius of the FIELD operation.
Command :SM XYZ#
Command :SF NNN#
:SN XYZ#
Returns Ok
:SO XYZ#
Sets the field radius of the FIELD operation.
:SP XYZ#
Command :LF# Returns Ok
Returns Nothing Sets SITE name.
Starts a FIND operation.
Command :GT#
Command :LN# Returns TT.T#
Returns Nothing Gets the current track “frequency.”
Finds the next object in a FIND sequence.
Command :ST TT.T#
Command :LB# Returns Ok
Returns Nothing Sets the current track “frequency.”
Finds the previous object in a FIND sequence.
Command :TM#
Command :Lf# :TQ#
Returns (see description) :T+#
Performs a FIELD operation returning a string containing :T-#
the number of objects in the field and the object that is Returns Nothing
closest to the center of the field. Switch to manual (TM) or quartz (TM). Increment (T+) or
decrement (T-) manual frequency by one tenth.
Command :LC NNNN#
:LM NNNN# Command :D#
:LS NNNN# Returns (see description)
Returns Nothing Gets the distance “bars'”string.
Sets the object to the NGC (LC), Messier (LM), or Star
Command :AL#
(LS) specified by the number. Planets are “stars” 901-
:AP#
909. The object type returned for LC and LS commands
:AA#
depends on which object type has been selected with the
Returns Nothing
Lo and Ls commands (see below).
Sets the telescopes alignment type to LAND, POLAR, or
Command :LI# ALTAZ.
Returns <obj> info#
Command :r+#
Gets the current object information.
:r-#
Command :Lo N# Returns Nothing
Returns Ok Turns the field de-rotator on (:r+#) and off (:r-#).
Sets the NGC object library type. 0 is the NGC library, 1
Command :f+#
is the IC library, and 2 is the UGC library. This operation is
:f-#
successful only if the user has a version of the software
Returns Nothing
that includes the desired library.
Turns the fan on (:f+#) and off (:f-#).
Command :Ls N#
Returns Ok
Sets the STAR object library type. 0 is the STAR library,
1 is the SAO library, and 2 is the GCVS library. This
operation is successful only if the user has a version of
the software that includes the desired library.

f. Miscellaneous
Command :B+#
:B-#
:B0#
 - 58 -
4. LX200 Demo Program Please note that Meade Instruments does not support these
The RS-232 interface communicates with your computer at programs, or programs that you may write in any way. For
9600 Baud Rate, Parity = None, 8 Data Bits, 1 Stop Bits. For questions relating to after-market software programs, refer
those who are familiar with programming, the LX200 Command back to those manufacturers.
Set is written in ASKII character format and can be used to Meade does recommend and support our Epoch 2000sk
write your own programs. software package which is fully compatible with the LX200
The LX200 Demo Program on the following pages, is written in telescope (Fig. 30). This program presents on the display of a
Quick Basic and is intended to demonstrate how commands personal computer an incredibly detailed simulation of the
are sent to the telescope and information is received from the entire sky, including up to 281,000 celestial objects
telescope. It is not a “polished” program and does not Epoch 2000 allows the presentation of the most complex
incorporate all of the RS-232 features available. starfields just as they actually appear through the telescope.
The program is set-up to operate on serial port 2 (COM2:). To This software is available for Windows 3.1 or higher, including
operate on serial port 1 (COM1:) line 4 should be changed from Windows 95.
“COM2:” to “COM1:.” The program is as follows:

CLS Fig. 30: Epoch 2000sk software.

DEFINT A-X
counter = 0
OPEN "COM2:9600,N,8,1,CD0,CS0,DS0,OP0,RS,TB2048,RB2048" FOR RANDOM AS #1

KEY ON
KEY(1) ON
KEY 1, "GO TO":
ON KEY(1) GOSUB key1
KEY(2) ON
KEY 2, "SYNC"
ON KEY(2) GOSUB KEY2
KEY(3) ON
KEY 3, "SLEW"
ON KEY(3) GOSUB key3
KEY(4) ON
KEY 4, "FIND"
ON KEY(4) GOSUB KEY4
KEY(5) ON
KEY 5, "CNTR"
ON KEY(5) GOSUB KEY5
KEY(6) ON
KEY 6, "GUIDE"
ON KEY(6) GOSUB KEY6
KEY(11) ON
ON KEY(11) GOSUB key11
KEY(12) ON
ON KEY(12) GOSUB key12
KEY(13) ON
ON KEY(13) GOSUB key13
KEY(14) ON
ON KEY(14) GOSUB key14

GOSUB status
GOSUB key3
GOSUB help
20 GOSUB telpos
GOSUB OBDRAW
GOSUB TIME
50 key$ = INKEY$: IF key$ = "" THEN GO TO 20
 - 59 -
REM KEYS
IF key$ = CHR$(119) THEN GOSUB senddir: REM a$ = "#:Mw#"
IF key$ = CHR$(101) THEN GOSUB senddir: REM a$ = "#:Me#"
IF key$ = CHR$(110) THEN GOSUB senddir: REM a$ = "#:Mn#"
IF key$ = CHR$(115) THEN GOSUB senddir: REM a$ = "#:Ms#"
IF key$ = "m" THEN GOSUB objects
IF key$ = "t" THEN GOSUB objects
IF key$ = "c" THEN GOSUB objects
IF key$ = "p" THEN GOSUB objects
IF key$ = "x" THEN CLS : END
IF key$ = "r" THEN RUN

GO TO 20

END

senddir:
west:
IF key$ = "w" THEN a$ = "#:Mw#": PRINT #1, a$: REM GO TO west
east:
IF key$ = "e" THEN a$ = "#:Me#": PRINT #1, a$: REM GO TO east
north:
IF key$ = "n" THEN a$ = "#:Mn#": PRINT #1, a$: REM GO TO north
south:
IF key$ = "s" THEN a$ = "#:Ms#": PRINT #1, a$: REM GO TO south
GOSUB telpos
key$ = INKEY$:
IF key$ = CHR$(32) THEN GO TO end1 ELSE GO TO senddir
end1:
B$ = "#:Qe#": PRINT #1, B$
B$ = "#:Qw#": PRINT #1, B$
B$ = "#:Qn#": PRINT #1, B$
B$ = "#:Qs#": PRINT #1, B$
RETURN

telpos:
LOCATE 6, 7: PRINT "TELESCOPE POSITION";
c$ = "#:GR#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(8, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 4, 4): LOCATE 7, 10: PRINT USING "RA : \\:\ \"; RAL$; RAM$;
c$ = "#:GD#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(7, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 5, 2): LOCATE 8, 10: PRINT "DEC: "; RAL$; CHR$(248); RAM$; "'";
c$ = "#:GA#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(7, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 5, 2): LOCATE 9, 10: PRINT "ALT: "; RAL$; CHR$(248); RAM$; "'";
c$ = "#:GZ#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(7, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 5, 2): LOCATE 10, 10: PRINT "AZ : "; RAL$; CHR$(248); RAM$; "'";
RETURN
TIME:
LOCATE 1, 32: PRINT "DATE"; : LOCATE 1, 64: PRINT "TIME";
c$ = "#:GS#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(9, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 2):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 4, 2): RAR$ = MID$(d$, 7, 2): LOCATE 2, 55:
PRINT USING "Sidereal Time: \\:\\:\\"; RAL$; RAM$; RAR$;
c$ = "#:GL#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(9, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 2):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 4, 2): RAR$ = MID$(d$, 7, 2): LOCATE 3, 55:
PRINT USING "Local (24hr) : \\:\\:\\"; RAL$; RAM$; RAR$;
c$ = "#:GG#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(4, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3):
LOCATE 3, 25: PRINT USING "GMT Offset: \ \ Hours"; RAL$;
c$ = "#:GC#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(9, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 2):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 4, 2): RAR$ = MID$(d$, 7, 2): LOCATE 2, 25:
PRINT USING "Date : \\/\\/\\"; RAL$; RAM$; RAR$;
RETURN

objects:
counter = 1
LOCATE 21, 25
IF key$ = "m" THEN INPUT "Enter Messier number: "; m$: o$ = "#:LM" + m$
IF key$ = "t" THEN INPUT "Enter Star number: "; m$: o$ = "#:LS" + m$
IF key$ = "c" THEN INPUT "Enter CNGC number: "; m$: o$ = "#:LC" + m$
IF key$ = "p" THEN INPUT "Enter Planet number: "; m$: o$ = "#:LS" + m$
o$ = o$ + "#"
PRINT #1, o$
LOCATE 21, 15:
PRINT " ";
PRINT #1, "#:LI#": info$ = INPUT$(33, 1): REM LOCATE 10, 20: PRINT info$;
 - 60 -
OBDRAW:
LOCATE 6, 31: PRINT " O B J E C T I N F O R M A T I O N";
LOCATE 7, 31: PRINT "Object: "; LEFT$(info$, 9);
LOCATE 8, 31: PRINT "Rating: "; MID$(info$, 10, 7);
LOCATE 9, 31: PRINT "Magnitude: "; MID$(info$, 20, 5);
LOCATE 10, 31: PRINT "Size: "; MID$(info$, 27, 6);
IF counter = 0 THEN LOCATE 11, 31: PRINT "RA:"; : LOCATE 12, 31:
PRINT "DEC:"; : LOCATE 7, 60: PRINT "Distance to SLEW"; :
LOCATE 9, 55: PRINT "RA"; : LOCATE 10, 55: PRINT "Dec"; : GO TO scale
c$ = "#:Gr#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(8, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 2):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 4, 4): LOCATE 11, 31:
PRINT USING "RA : \\:\ \"; RAL$; RAM$;
c$ = "#:Gd#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(7, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 5, 2): LOCATE 12, 31:
PRINT "DEC: "; RAL$; CHR$(248); RAM$; "'";
distbar:
rad$ = "": decd$ = ""
c$ = "#:D#": PRINT #1, c$: d$ = INPUT$(33, 1)

FOR i = 1 TO 16
IF ASC(MID$(d$, i, 1)) = 255 THEN rad$ = rad$ + CHR$(254)
NEXT i
FOR i = 17 TO 33
IF ASC(MID$(d$, i, 1)) = 255 THEN decd$ = decd$ + CHR$(254)
NEXT i
LOCATE 7, 59: PRINT " Distance to SLEW ";
scale:
LOCATE 8, 59: PRINT "0"; CHR$(248); " 45"; CHR$(248); " 90"; CHR$(248); " 150+"; CHR$(248);
IF counter = 0 THEN RETURN
LOCATE 9, 55: PRINT " "; : LOCATE 9, 55:
PRINT "RA "; rad$;
LOCATE 10, 55: PRINT " "; : LOCATE 10, 55:
PRINT "DEC "; decd$;
RETURN

status:
LOCATE 1, 7: PRINT "SITE"
c$ = "#:Gt#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(7, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 5, 2): LOCATE 2, 3: PRINT "Lat. : "; RAL$; CHR$ (248); RAM$; "'";
c$ = "#:Gg#": PRINT #1, c$; : d$ = INPUT$(7, 1): RAL$ = LEFT$(d$, 3):
RAM$ = MID$(d$, 5, 2): LOCATE 3, 3: PRINT "Long.: "; RAL$; CHR$ (248); RAM$; "'";
BOXSTX = 2: BOXSTY = 3: BOXWIDE = 10: boxtall = 5: GOSUB drawbox
RETURN
key1:
PRINT #1, "#:MS#"
error1$ = INPUT$(1, 1)
IF error1$ = "1" OR error1$ = "2" THEN error2$ = INPUT$(33, 1) ELSE RETURN
LOCATE 22, 20: PRINT error2$

GOSUB clearscr
RETURN
KEY2:
PRINT #1, "#:CM#"
sync$ = INPUT$(33, 1)
LOCATE 22, 20: PRINT sync$;
clearscr:
FOR i = 1 TO 30000: NEXT i: FOR i = 1 TO 30000: NEXT i: FOR i = 1 TO 30000: NEXT i:
FOR i = 1 TO 30000: NEXT i: FOR i = 1 TO 30000: NEXT i: FOR i = 1 TO 30000: NEXT i:
LOCATE 22, 20: PRINT " ";
RETURN
key3:
PRINT #1, "#:RS#"
LOCATE 24, 1: PRINT "
";
LOCATE 24, 18: PRINT CHR$(219); CHR$(178); CHR$(176); CHR$(176); CHR$(178); CHR$(219);
RETURN
KEY4:
PRINT #1, "#:RM#:"
LOCATE 24, 1: PRINT " ";
LOCATE 24, 26: PRINT CHR$(219); CHR$(178); CHR$(176); CHR$(176); CHR$(178); CHR$(219);
RETURN
 - 61 -
KEY5:
PRINT #1, "#:RC#"
LOCATE 24, 1: PRINT "
";
LOCATE 24, 34: PRINT CHR$(219); CHR$(178); CHR$(176); CHR$(176); CHR$(178); CHR$(219);
RETURN
KEY6:
PRINT #1, "#:RG#"
LOCATE 24, 1: PRINT "
";
LOCATE 24, 42: PRINT CHR$(219); CHR$(178); CHR$(176); CHR$(176); CHR$(178); CHR$(219);
RETURN

key11:
key$ = "n"
GOSUB north
RETURN
key12:
key$ = "w"
GOSUB west
RETURN

key13:
key$ = "e"
GOSUB east
RETURN
key14:
key$ = "s"
GOSUB south
RETURN

drawbox:
REM LOCATE BOXSTX, BOXSTY:
REM BOX$ = CHR$(201)
REM FOR I = 1 TO BOXWIDE: BOX$ = BOX$ + CHR$(205): NEXT
REM PRINT BOX$;
RETURN

help:
LOCATE 14, 10: PRINT "E W N S keys move telescope. SPACE BAR stops.";
LOCATE 15, 10: PRINT "M key to enter Messier object.";
LOCATE 16, 10: PRINT "T key to enter sTar.";
LOCATE 17, 10: PRINT "P key to enter Planet (900 + orbit #).";
LOCATE 18, 10: PRINT "C key to enter Cngc object.";
LOCATE 19, 10: PRINT "X to End program.";
RETURN

END
 - 62 -
APPENDIX G:
LX200 SPECIFICATIONS

Telescope 7" LX200 f/15 8" LX200 f/6.3 10" LX200 f/6.3
Optical Design Maksutov-Cassegrain Schmidt-Cassegrain Schmidt-Cassegrain
Catadioptric Catadioptric Catadioptric
Clear Aperture 178mm (7") 203mm (8") 254mm (10")
Primary Mirror Diameter 194mm (7.625") 209.6mm (8.25) 263.5mm (10.375)
Focal Length 2670mm (105") 1280mm (50.4") 1600mm (63")
Focal Ratio f/15 f/6.3 f/6.3
Resolution .64 arc sec. .56 arc sec .45 arc sec
Super Multi-Coatings standard Standard Standard
Limiting Visual Magnitude (approx) 13.5 14.0 14.5
Limiting Photographic Magnitude (approx) 16.0 16.5 17.0
Image Scale (°/inch) .55°/inch 1.14°/inch 0.91°/inch
Maximum Practical Visual Power 450X 500X 625X
Near Focus 50' 25' 50'
Optical Tube Size 9.1" Dia. x 19" Long 9.1" Dia. x 16" Long 11.75" Dia. x 22" Long
Secondary Mirror Obstruction 2.5" (12.8%) 3.45" (18.6%) 4.0" (16.0%)
Telescope Mounting Heavy-Duty Fork-Type Heavy-Duty Fork-Type Heavy-Duty Fork-Type
Double Tine Double Tine Double Tine
Setting Circle Diameters Dec.: 6"; R.A.: 8.75" Dec.: 6"; R.A.: 8.75" Dec.: 6"; R.A.: 8.75"
RA Motor Drive System 9-speed, microprocessor 9-speed, microprocessor 9-speed, microprocessor
controlled 12v. DC servo controlled 12v. DC servo controlled 12v. DC servo
motor; 5.75" worm gear motor; 5.75" worm gear motor; 5.75" worm gear
with Smart Drive with Smart Drive with Smart Drive
Hemispheres of Operation North and South - North and South - North and South -
switchable switchable switchable
Declination Control System 9-speed, DC servo 9-speed, DC servo 9-speed, DC servo
controlled 5.75" worm gear controlled 5.75" worm gear controlled 5.75" worm gear
with Dec drift software with Dec drift software with Dec drift software
Motor Drive Gear Diameter 5-3/4" Worm Gear 5-3/4" Worm Gear 5-3/4" Worm Gear
Manual Slow-Motion Controls Dec. and R.A. Dec. and R.A. Dec. and R.A.
Hand Controller Motorola 68HC05 Motorola 68HC05 Motorola 68HC05
microcontroller; 2 line x 16 microcontroller; 2 line x 16 microcontroller; 2 line x 16
alphanumeric character alphanumeric character alphanumeric character
display; 19 button keypad, display; 19 button keypad, display; 19 button keypad,
red LED backlit red LED backlit red LED backlit
Main Controller 16 MHz 68000 16 MHz 68000 16 MHz 68000
microprocessor; 1 Meg microprocessor; 1 Meg microprocessor; 1 Meg
program memory program memory program memory
16K RAM; 512 byte 16K RAM; 512 byte 16K RAM; 512 byte
non-volatile memory non-volatile memory non-volatile memory
(EEROM) (EEROM) (EEROM)
Telescope Size, Swung Down 9.25" x 16" x 32.5" 9.25" x 16" x 25" 12" x 19" x 31"
35mm Angular Film Coverage 0.74° x 0.52° 1.55° x 1.08° 1.24° x 0.86°
35mm Linear Film Coverage @:
50" 4.7" x 6.6" 9.7" x 13.6" 7.75" x 10.9"
500" 4.6' x 6.5' 9.4' x 13.3' 7.5' x 10.7'
3000" 27.4' x 38.9' 56.3' x 79.7' 45.0' x 63.8'
Tele-Extender Used Without Eyepiece @:
50' 4.4" x 6.5" 9.1" x 13.3" 7.3" x 10.6"
500' 4.2' x 5.5' 7.7' x 14.1' 6.1' x 9.0'
3000' 24' x 34' 48' x 70' 39' x 56'
Net Telescope Weights (approx)
Telescope 45# 37# 61#
Optional Equatorial Wedge 7# 7# N/A
Optional Super Wedge N/A N/A 26#
Field Tripod 20# 20# 20#
Accessories 8# 8# 8#
Shipping Weights (approx)
Telescope 65# 64# (w/ case) 69#
Equatorial Wedge (optional) 9# 9# N/A
Super Wedge (optional) N/A N/A 38#
Field Tripod 26# 26# 26#
Case (for 10" models) N/A N/A
Accessories 5# 5# 5#
 - 63 -

Telescope 8" LX200 f/10 10" LX200 f/10 12" LX200 f/10
Optical Design Schmidt-Cassegrain Schmidt-Cassegrain Schmidt-Cassegrain
Catadioptric Catadioptric Catadioptric
Clear Aperture 203mm (8") 254mm (10") 305mm (12")
Primary Mirror Diameter 209.6mm (8.25) 263.5mm (10.375) 314.3mm (12.375")
Focal Length 2000mm (80") 2500mm (100") 3048mm (120")
Focal Ratio f/10 f/10 f/10
Resolution .56 arc sec .45 arc sec .375 arc sec
Super Multi-Coatings Standard Standard Standard
Limiting Visual Magnitude (approx) 14.0 14.5 15.0
Limiting Photographic Magnitude (approx) 16.5 17.0 17.5
Image Scale (°/inch) 0.72°/inch 0.57°/inch 0.48°/inch
Maximum Practical Visual Power 500X 625X 750X
Near Focus 25' 50' 75'
Optical Tube Size 9.1" Dia. x 16" Long 11.75" Dia. x 22" Long 13.6" Dia. x 25" Long
Secondary Mirror Obstruction 3.0" (14.1%) 3.7" (13.7%) 4.0" (11.1%)
Telescope Mounting Heavy-Duty Fork-Type Heavy-Duty Fork-Type Heavy-Duty Fork-Type
Double Tine Double Tine Double Tine
Setting Circle Diameters Dec.: 6"; R.A.: 8.75" Dec.: 6"; R.A.: 8.75" Dec.: 6"; R.A.: 8.75"
RA Motor Drive System 9-speed, microprocessor 9-speed, microprocessor 9-Speed, microprocessor
controlled 12v. DC servo controlled 12v. DC servo controlled 12v. DC servo
motor; 5.75" worm gear motor; 5.75" worm gear motor; 5.75" worm gear
with Smart Drive with Smart Drive with Smart Drive
Hemispheres of Operation North and South - North and South - North and South -
switchable switchable switchable
Declination Control System 9-speed, DC servo 9-speed, DC servo 9-speed, DC servo
controlled 5.75" worm gear controlled 5.75" worm gear controlled 5.75" worm gear
with Dec drift software with Dec drift software with Dec drift software
Motor Drive Gear Diameter 5-3/4" Worm Gear 5-3/4" Worm Gear 5-3/4" Worm Gear
Manual Slow-Motion Controls Dec. and R.A. Dec. and R.A. Dec. and R.A.
Hand Controller Motorola 68HC05 Motorola 68HC05 Motorola 68HC05
microcontroller; 2 line x 16 microcontroller; 2 line x 16 microcontroller; 2 line x 16
alphanumeric character alphanumeric character alphanumeric character
display; 19 button keypad, display; 19 button keypad, display; 19 button keypad,
red LED backlit red LED backlit red LED backlit
Main Controller 16 MHz 68000 16 MHz 68000 16 MHz 68000
microprocessor; 1 Meg microprocessor; 1 Meg microprocessor; 1 Meg
program memory program memory program memory
16K RAM; 512 byte 16K RAM; 512 byte 16K RAM; 512 byte
non-volatile memory non-volatile memory non-volatile memory
(EEROM) (EEROM) (EEROM)
Telescope Size, Swung Down 9.25" x 16" x 25" 12" x 19" x 31" 15" x 20" x 37"
35mm Angular Film Coverage 0.97° x 0.68° 0.78° x 0.54° 0.65° x 0.45°
35mm Linear Film Coverage @:
50" 6.2" x 8.7" 5.0" x 7.0" 4.1" x 5.8"
500" 6.0' x 8.5' 4.8' x 6.8' 4.0' x 5.7'
3000" 36.0' x 51.0' 28.8' x 40.8' 24.0' x 34.0'
Tele-Extender Used Without Eyepiece @:
50' 6.8" x 8.5" 4.6" x 6.8" 3.5" x 5.7"
500' 4.9' x 7.2' 4.0' x 5.8' 3.3' x 4.8'
3000' 31' x 45' 25' x 36' 21' x 30'
Net Telescope Weights (approx)
Telescope 37# 61# 70#
Optional Equatorial Wedge 7# N/A N/A
Optional Super Wedge N/A 26# 26#
Field Tripod 20# 20# 50#
Accessories 8# 8# 8#
Shipping Weights (approx)
Telescope 64# (w/ case) 69# 95# (w/ case)
Equatorial Wedge (optional) 9# N/A N/A
Super Wedge (optional) N/A 38# 38#
Field Tripod 26# 26# 57#
Case (for 10" models) 30# 30# N/A
Accessories 5# 5# 10#
 MEADE LIMITED WARRANTY
Every Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corporation (“Meade”)
to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 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 warranty applies to the original purchaser only and is
non-transferable. Meade products purchased outside North America are not included in this warranty, but are covered under
separate warranties issued by Meade international distributors.

RGA Number Required: Prior to the return of any product or part, a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) number must be
obtained from Meade by writing, or by calling (949) 451-1450. Each returned part or product must include a written statement
detailing the nature of the claimed defect, as well as the owner’s name, address, and phone number.

This warranty is not valid in cases where the product has been abused or mishandled, where unauthorized repairs have been
attempted or performed, or where depreciation of the product is due to normal wear-and-tear. Meade specifically disclaims
special, indirect, or consequential damages or lost profit which may result from a breach of this warranty. Any implied
warranties which can not be disclaimed are hereby limited to a term of one year from the date of original retail purchase.

This warranty gives you specific rights. You may have other rights which vary from state to state.

Meade reserves the right to change product specifications or to discontinue products without notice.

This warranty supersedes all previous Meade product warranties.

Meade Instruments Corporation

World’s leading manufacturer of astronomical telescopes for the serious amateur.
6001 OAK CANYON, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92620-4205 U.S.A. ■ (949) 451-1450
FAX: (949) 451-1460 ■ www.meade.com

Ver 0499 Part no. 14-0208-00