Operating instructions
Contents
1. SS Operating Instructions Meade Model 647 CCD Flip Mirror System 2 introduction The Meade Model 647 CCD Flip Mirror System 2 is a major advancement in systems specifically designed for CCD imaging where large CCD chips e g the Pictor 1616XT are employed One of the most important aspects of this system is thea dramatic reduction in setup and focus time after Initial calibration Threaded on to the rear cell of any Meade LX series mirror lens telescope or to other Schmidt Cassegrain telescope brands the Flip Mirror allows direct visual inspection of the Imaging area permitting quick and convenient image composition and focus The Flip Mirror may be used with any Meade Pictor CCD Autoguider Imager or with other CCD imager brands or with removable lens 35mm SLR cameras Detailed here are the standard accessories for the Meade Flip Mirror 2 and instructions for use Attaching the Flip Mirror to the Telescope Remove any attachments to the threaded rear call of the telescope e g eyepiece holder or diagonal prism mirror and attach the Flip Mirror by turning the Flip Mirror s thread on knurled ring 1 Fig 2 clockwise to a firm feel if a different viewing angle is desired slightly turn the Filip Mirrors thread on knurled ring counterclockwise to loosen the device from the rear cell rotate the device to the desired position and re tighten using the method described above Attaching the CCD Camera to th2. please call Meade Customer Service at 949 451 1450 Customer Service hours are from 8 30 A M to 4 30 P M Pacific Time Monday through Friday
3. ach the Short T Adapter with CCD camera to the Filp Mirrors Back Plate 2 Fig 2 securing the Short T Adapter with the three thumbscrews With either T Adapter attached the rotational orientation of the CCD camera head can be changed as desired by loosening the T Adapter s three thumbscrews slightly while securely holding the camera and changing the rotational position of the CCD camera Secure the camera by tightening the three thumbscrews of the T Adapter LETITIA TE COLT o YO tay sj a eat H ATM FLIP MIRROR SYSTEM MODEL 647 Fig 1 Model 647 CCD Flip Mirror System 2 Choosing the Eyepiece and Matching Focus to the Camera Once the focus is matched between the eyepiece and the CCD camera focusing the eyepiece using the telescope s focus knob assures a sharp focus in the CCD camera A great many eyepieces both 1 25 and 2 O D match focus with Meade Pictor Series Autoguider imagers and with many other CCD camera brands when used with the Meade Model 647 Flip Mirror System 2 Among the eyepieces manufactured by Meade these specific eyepieces may be employed with Meade Pictor Autoguider Imagers e All Meade Illuminated Reticle Eyepieces including PL9mm and MAt2mm 1 25 O D e Meade MA 12mm Astrometric Eyepiece 1 25 O D Meade Pl ssi 25mm CCD Framing Eyepiece 1 25 O D All Series 3000 Pl ss Eyepieces 1 25 O D All Saries 4000 Super Plassi Eyepi
4. be made NOTE Changing the focus position of the Helical Focuser negates the matched focus of the camera If there is any change to the eyepiece camera combination the focus and mirror adjustment sections of these instructions must be verified If the camera is rotated for a new image orientation the mirror adjustment must be verified Maintenance If the Mirror Control Knob shaft loses tension it is unable to hold the mirror in a given position To increase tension to this shaft use the supplied hex head wrench to remove the left side Mirror Control Knob 6 Fig 2 from the shaft by releasing the hex head set screw 14 Fig 2 Then remove the four Case Cover Attachment Screws 17 Fig 2 from the Flip Mirror Case Cover 16 Fig 2 on the left side of the Flip Mirtor s Case to gain access to the Mirror Shaft Tension Adjustment Screw 15 Fig 2 Tum the hex head screw slightly clockwise while testing the tension by turning the remaining Mirror Control Knob Avoid cleaning the flip mirror optics a litte dust on the surface of the mirror causes virtually no degradation of image quality and should not be considered reason to clean the mirror DO NOT disassemble the flip mirror to clean the interior surfaces When absolutely necessary dust should be removed with gentie strokes of a camel hair brush or blown off with an ear syringe available at any pharmacy DO NOT use 2 If you have any questions regarding the use of the Flip Mirror
5. e Flip Mirror Meade Pictor Autoguider Imagers or other CCD camera system brands are attached to the Flip Mirror by means of the T thread Interface 4 or 5 Fig 2 or the 1 25 Barrel Adapter Holder 3 Fig 2 it is also possible to use the Pictor 216XT 416XT or 1616XT with the Pictor Color Filter System either 616 or 616A in conjunction with the Flip Mirror To attach the CCD camera to the Flip Mirror using the 1 25 Barrel Adapter first connect the 1 25 Barrel Adapter Holder 3 Fig 2 to the Flip Mirror s Back Plate 2 Fig 2 by securing it with the inner set of three thumbscrews 1 Fig 1 then slide in the camera Secure the camera to the 1 25 Barrel Adapter Holder with the outer set of three thumbscrews 2 Fig 1 Many CCD cameras including all Pictor Autoguider imagers can be attached to the Flip Mirror via the T thread interface with or without thelr corresponding color filter systems To attach a T thread compatible CCD camera without a color filter system thread in the Long T Adapter 4 Fig 2 to the CCD camera body Then attach the Long T Adapter with CCD camera to the Flip Mirror s Back Plate 2 Fig 2 securing the Long T Adapter with the three thumbscrews To attach a T thread compatible CCD camera with a color filter system or a removable lens 35mm SLR camera body with the appropriate optional camera specific T mount thread in the Short T Adapier 5 Fig 2 to the camera body Then att
6. eces 1 25 O D e All Series 4000 Super Wide Angie Eyepieces 1 25 O D e Series 4000 Ultra Wide Angle Eyepieces 4 7mm 6 7mm and 8 8mm 1 25 O D Series 4000 Super Wide Angle Eyepieces 32mm and 40mm 2 O D NOTE Directions to tum the Mirror Control Knob to the UP or DOWN position f e clockwise or counterclockwise are described as when facing the Flip Mirror Case Cover 16 Fig 2 To match focus with the selected eyepiece to the attached CCD camera piace the mirror of the Flip Mirror in the UP position by turning the Mirror Control Knob 6 Fig 2 counterclockwise until the knob reaches its stop This allows the light coming through the telescope to reach the imaging plane of the CCD camera Focus is made by turning the telescope s focus knob in the usual method as described in the camera s instruction manual Use the instruction manual for the CCD camera to focus the image Once the image g a star or other celestial object is precisely focused on the CCD camera tum the Mirror Control Knob clockwise to place the mirror in the DOWN position until the knob reaches its stop The Meade Flip Mirror employs a 2 O D Helical Focuser with a removable 2 to 1 25 O D Eyepiece Holder Adapter 7 Fig 2 to allow use of 1 25 O D or 2 O D ayepieces Matching eyepiece focus with the attached CCD camera is achieved by releasing the Focuser Lock Ring 8 Fig 2 by tuming it coun
7. equal amounts Check for horizontal centering in the eyepiece by locking turning clockwise the hex head Horizontal Mirror Adjustment Lock Screw 10 Fig 2 If the object has moved within the field of view of the eyepiece in an undesired direction retum the Horizontal Mirror Adjustment Screws to their original position Then make adjustments to the other set of screws on the opposite side of the Flip Mirror To make vertical adjustments locate the Vertical Mirror Adjustment Screw 12 Fig 2 and release it s Locking Nut 13 Fig 2 Turn the Vertical Mirror Adjustment Screw clockwise or counterclockwise as necessary until the object is perfectly centered in the eyepiece Turn the Vertical Mirror Adjustment Locking Nut clockwise until it is snug Using the Flip Mirror With the focus matched and the mirror adjusted the Flip Mirror is now ready for use To take an image follow this procedure Turn the Mirror Control Knob clockwise to place the mirror in the DOWN position until the knob reaches its stop Contirm that the object is in the field of view e Look through the telescope eyepiece and verify focus Make any focus adjustments using the telescope s focus knob To take an image turn the Mirror Control Knob counterclockwise to place the mirror in the UP position until the knob reaches its stop This allows the light coming through the telescope to reach the imaging plane of the CCD camera so an exposure can
8. eyepiece combination remains unchanged the Flip Mirror remains calibrated to match focus during subsequent imaging runs greatly reducing setup and focus times when taking CCD images Without the CCD imaging camera the Flip Mirror can replace the telescope s usual 2 diagonal mirror and can be used with any 1 25 or 2 O D eyepiece for visual observing Special Note Regarding Use with Focal Reducers When used with a Meade or other brand of Schmidt Cassegrain telescope the Flip Mirror may not reach focus in conjunction with a focal reducer lens such as the Meade 3 3 or 6 3 Focal Reducer Field Flattener Mirror Adjustments Once the eyepiece focus has been matched to the CCD camera the next step is to adjust the internal mirror so that what is centered in the eyepiece is also centered in the CCD camera Prior to using the Flip Mirror System the System s internal mirror must be adjusted so that the center of the CCD image s focal plane i e with the System s intemal mirror in the UP position coincides with the center of the eyepiece s field of view i with the System s internal mirror in the DOWN position To make horizontal adjustments to the mirror use the supplied hex head wrench to release tuming counterclockwise one of the hex head Horizontal Mirror Adjustment Lock Screws 10 Fig 2 Then tum the two hex head Horizontal Mirror Adjustment Screws 11 Fig 2 clockwise or counterclockwise by
9. terclockwise and turning the Helical Focuser Tube 9 Fig 2 clockwise or counterclockwise until the image is sharp as seen through the eyepiece Do not turn the focus knob of the telescope to focus the eyepiece as such operation negates the precise focus to the CCD camera s imaging plane Thread on Knurled Ring Back Plate 1 25 Barrel Adapter Holder Long T Adapter Short T Adapter Mirror Control Knobs 2 1 25 LD Eyepiece Holder Adapter Helical Focuser Lock Ring Helical Focuser Tube 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Fig 2 Meade Model 647 Flip Mirror System 2 Exploded View Lock the eyepiece focus in position by turning the Focus Lock Ring to a firm feel Depending on the eyepiece selected the Helical Focuser Tube may be turned to furthest threaded out position where it may be necessary to raise the eyepiece barrel out of the eyepiece holder to achieve correct focus in this circumstance loosen the eyepiece holder s thumbscrew and lift the eyepiece until the image is sharp Tighten the eyepiece holders thumbscrew to secure the proper focus position of the eyepiece Horizontal Mirror Adjustment Lock Screws Horizontal Mirror Adjustment Screws Vertical Mirror Adjustment Screw Vertical Mirror Adjuster Locking Nut Mirror Control Knob Set Screw Mirror Shaft Tension Adjuster Screw Flip Mirror Case Cover Case Cover Attachment Screws S a ee See Important Note Provided that the camera
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search