Meade Telescope Meade 50AZ P User Manual

Instruction Manual  
Meade 50AZ-P  
50mm (2”) Altazimuth Refracting Telescope  
27 Hubble, Irvine, California 92618  
(800) 626-3233 www.meade.com  
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
Introduction  
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6
6
7
8
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Standard Equipment  
Unpacking and Assembly  
Viewfinder Focusing and Alignment  
Using the Telescope  
Calculating Power  
A Few Words About Power  
Maintenance  
Specifications  
Optional Accessories  
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the  
Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.  
3
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Fig. 1: Meade 50AZ-P 2” Altazimuth Refracting Telescope  
1.  
Eyepiece  
12.  
13.  
14.  
15.  
16.  
17.  
18.  
19.  
20.  
21.  
22.  
Optical-tube-to-mount attachment point  
Optical-tube-to-mount attachment knob  
Optical-tube-to-mount locking knob  
Diagonal mirror  
2.  
5 x 24 Viewfinder  
3.  
Viewfinder bracket  
Viewfinder collimation screws  
Optical tube assembly  
Viewfinder bracket attaching nuts  
Altitude locking control handle  
Tripod legs  
4.  
5.  
Objective lens and lens cell (inside tube)  
Eyepiece holder and thumbscrew  
Sliding leg extension locking collar  
Adjustable sliding center leg extension  
Dew shield/lens shade  
6.  
7.  
8.  
9.  
Leg brace supports  
Accessory tray  
10.  
11.  
Front lens cap  
Altazimuth mount  
Focusing knob  
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the  
Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.  
4
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INTRODUCTION  
Before you begin your visual journey, we urge you to take a few minutes to completely read this manual so that  
you can get the best use of the equipment. This manual details the setup, operation, specifications, and optional  
accessories of the Meade 50AZ-P Altazimuth Refracting Telescope. The Meade 50AZ-P is designed for both  
astronomical and terrestrial observing. Whether you are observing objects a few meters away or light years distant,  
the Meade 50AZ-P’s precision optics and sturdy mount are the tools with which you can learn basic telescope skills  
that can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment and discovery.  
STANDARD EQUIPMENT (Refer to Fig. 1)  
Complete optical tube assembly with 50mm-diameter, 625mm focal length, coated objective lens;  
dew shield; 5 x 24 viewfinder with bracket; rack-and-pinion focuser.  
Altazimuth mount with pre-attached continuously-adjustable steel tripod and leg braces.  
Altitude locking control handle.  
Accessories:  
Wide-field H 25mm (25X), H 12.5mm (50X) eyepieces (.965” O.D. “Outside Diameter”)  
3x Barlow lens  
Diagonal mirror (.965”)  
Viewfinder  
Accessory tray  
Autostar Suite astronomy software CD-Rom (separate instructions supplied with the software  
package)  
UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY  
Note that although the telescope is unassembled, all of the more difficult or complicated sections of the instrument  
are already factory pre-assembled; first time assembly of the telescope should not require more than about 15  
minutes. To set up the telescope, follow this procedure:  
1. Remove and identify the telescope’s components, using the listing on page 3.  
2. Spread the three tripod legs (8, Fig. 1) evenly apart and insert the accessory tray (10, Fig. 1) in the hole at the  
center of the leg brace supports (9, Fig. 1).  
3. Snugly thread-in the altitude locking control handle (7, Fig. 1) into the altazimuth mount (11, Fig. 1) at the optical-  
tube-to-mount attachment point (12, Fig. 1). Thread-in the optical-tube-to-mount attaching knob (13, Fig. 1) until  
snug, and then tighten the optical-tube-to-mount lock knob (14, Fig. 1).  
4. Attach the viewfinder (2, Fig. 1) and viewfinder bracket (3, Fig. 1) by unthreading the two viewfinder bracket  
attaching nuts (6, Fig. 1) that are located on the tube near the focuser and placing the viewfinder bracket (with  
the eyepiece-end of the viewfinder facing the focuser of the telescope) over the two protruding threaded studs.  
Then replace the two viewfinder bracket attaching nuts to secure the bracket to the optical tube.  
5. Insert the diagonal mirror (15, Fig. 1) into the eyepiece holder (17, Fig. 1) and the wide-field H 25mm eyepiece  
(1, Fig. 1) into the diagonal mirror. Secure each in place with a moderate tightening of the respective  
thumbscrews.  
6. Extend the sliding leg extension (19, Fig. 1) portion of the adjustable height tripod to the desired length on all  
three legs by rotating the sliding leg extension collar (18, Fig. 1) counterclockwise to release the inner sliding leg.  
When you achieve the desired height, lock the tripod leg by rotating the sliding leg extension collar clockwise  
until it is snug. Do not over-tighten the locking collars as they can become damaged.  
ALTAZIMUTH MOUNT MOVEMENTS AND LOCK  
The telescope can tilt just over 90° in altitude (the up-and-down movement) and rotate 360° in azimuth (the side-to-  
side movement), hence the term “Altazimuth” in this telescope’s mount. The Altazimuth mount can be locked only in  
altitude, the azimuth movement is always free.  
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the  
Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.  
5
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To move the telescope on the mount, unlock the altitude locking control handle (7, Fig. 1) by turning the handle  
counterclockwise one complete turn. Hold the handle while moving the telescope in altitude and/or azimuth. When  
finished, lock the altitude control handle by tightening the handle, turning clockwise. Tip: By keeping the altitude  
locking handle slightly tight, the telescope can still be moved in altitude without running the risk of having the  
telescope “flip” in the up or down movement.  
VIEWFINDER FOCUSING AND ALIGNMENT  
The 5 x 24mm viewfinder (2, Fig. 1) is a low-power, wide-field sighting device that, once aligned, will allow you  
to point the telescope with greater precision. Take note that when you look through the viewfinder, you will see a  
crosshair with images that will be upside-down; this is normal.  
To work properly, the viewfinder must first be aligned to the telescope’s main optical tube. To align the viewfinder,  
follow these steps:  
1. Remove the lens cap (21, Fig. 1) of the optical tube assembly. Place the H 25mm eyepiece in the diagonal  
mirror and point the optical tube assembly (5, Fig. 1) at some well-defined, distant land object (e.g. the top of a  
distant telephone pole). Note: Images are either backwards or upside-down, depending on the rotation angle of  
the diagonal mirror; this is normal. It is recommended that you choose an object that is as distant as possible, so  
that the viewfinder alignment will be accurate enough to point the telescope at individual planets and stars during  
astronomical observations.  
2. Look through the viewfinder (2, Fig. 1) and tighten or loosen, as appropriate, the viewfinder bracket’s three  
collimation screws (4, Fig. 1), until the crosshairs of the viewfinder are precisely centered on the same object  
already centered in the telescope’s H 25mm eyepiece. When finished, tighten the viewfinder’s three collimation  
screws to a firm feel so that it remains in alignment.  
3. Objects located in the 5 x 24mm viewfinder will now be centered in the telescope eyepiece.  
USING THE TELESCOPE  
With the telescope assembled, you are ready to begin observations.  
1. First, pick out an easy-to-find object. Observing land objects during the daytime is a good way to become  
accustomed to the operation of the telescope. At night, try observing the Moon at first (if it is visible) or a bright  
star.  
2. To center an object in the main telescope, first use the aligned viewfinder to find the object you wish to observe.  
If necessary, slightly loosen the altitude locking control handle (7, Fig. 1), to re-position the telescope so that the  
desired object can be centered in the viewfinder. When the object is centered in the viewfinder, it should then,  
also, be somewhere in the main telescope’s field of view. Next, using the 25mm eyepiece, center the object in  
the main telescope’s field of view, and sharply focus the image by turning the focus knob (22, Fig. 1).  
The wide-field H 25mm eyepiece included as standard equipment is the best eyepiece to use for the initial finding  
and centering of an object. The low-power H 25mm eyepiece presents a bright, wide field of view, ideal for  
terrestrial and general astronomical observing of star fields, clusters of stars, nebulae, and galaxies. For lunar  
and planetary viewing, switch to a higher power eyepiece such as the H 12.5mm – if you have good viewing  
conditions. If the image starts to become fuzzy as magnification is increased, back down to a lower power; The  
atmosphere is not steady enough to support higher powers. Note: Changing eyepieces changes power.  
3. If you are observing an astronomical object (the Moon, a planet, star, etc.) you will notice that the object will  
begin to move slowly through the telescopic field of view. This movement is caused by the rotation of the Earth  
and makes an object appear to be moving in the telescope’s field of view. To keep astronomical objects centered  
in the field, simply move the telescope up or down, or side-to-side (vertical and/or horizontal), using the altitude  
control handle (7, Fig. 1) as appropriate. At higher powers, astronomical objects will seem to move through the  
field more rapidly.  
4. Avoid touching the eyepiece while observing through the telescope. Vibrations resulting from such contact will  
cause the image to move. Avoid observing sites where vibrations may introduce image movement. Viewing  
from the upper floors of a building may also introduce image movement.  
5. Allow a few minutes for your eyes to become “dark adapted” prior to attempting any serious observations. Use  
a red-filtered flashlight (you can make your own by taping red cellophane over a flashlight lens) to protect your  
night vision when reading star maps, or inspecting components of the telescope.  
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the  
Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.  
6
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6. Avoid setting up the telescope inside a room and observing through a closed window pane. Images may appear  
blurred or distorted due to temperature differences between inside and outside air. Also, it is a good idea  
to allow your telescope a chance to reach the ambient (surrounding) outside temperature before starting an  
observing session.  
7. We repeat the warning stated at the outset of this manual:  
NEVER POINT THE TELESCOPE DIRECTLY AT OR NEAR THE SUN AT ANY TIME!  
OBSERVING THE SUN, EVEN FOR THE SMALLEST FRACTION OF A SECOND, WILL RESULT  
IN INSTANT AND IRREVERSIBLE EYE DAMAGE, AS WELL AS PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE  
TELESCOPE ITSELF.  
8. Planets and other objects viewed low on the horizon often lack sharpness — the same object, when observed  
higher in the sky, will appear sharper and have greater contrast. Turbulent air in the atmosphere can cause  
images to “shimmer” in the eyepiece. Try reducing power (change your eyepiece) until the image steadies. Keep  
in mind that a bright, clear, but smaller image is more interesting than a larger, dimmer, fuzzy one.  
9. Astronomical software or a good star atlas will assist you in locating many interesting celestial objects. These  
objects include:  
The Moon, covered with craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines. The Moon is best observed during its crescent  
or half phase when Sunlight strikes the Moon’s surface at an angle. It casts shadows and adds a sense of depth  
to the view. No shadows are seen during a full Moon, causing the bright Moon to appear flat and uninteresting.  
Cloud belts across the surface of the planet Jupiter.  
The 4 major moons of Jupiter, visible around the planet, changing position each night.  
Saturn and its famous ring system.  
Deep-Space: Nebulae, galaxies, multiple star systems, star clusters — hundreds of such objects are visible  
through the Meade 50AZ-P.  
Terrestrial objects: Your Meade telescope may also be used for high-resolution land viewing. Important Note:  
Using that the diagonal mirror results in an image which is reversed left-for-right, but which is correctly oriented  
up-and-down. For a fully corrected image, the 35X erecting eyepiece (.965” O.D.) is required.  
Terrestrial observations should almost always be made using the 25mm low-power eyepiece for bright, sharp  
images. Observing horizontally through the Earth’s atmosphere distorts images in higher-power eyepieces (such  
as 12.5mm).  
10. The T-18mm erecting eyepiece is also a stand-alone 14X microscope. To use, place the clear base on top of the  
object to be examined and look through the eyepiece.  
CALCULATING POWER  
The power, or magnification, at which a telescope is operating is determined by two factors: the focal length of the  
telescope’s main (objective) lens and the focal length of the eyepiece being used.  
The focal length of the Meade 50AZ-P’s objective lens is 625mm. To figure out the power you are using, divide the  
the focal length of the objective lens by the focal length of the eyepiece. For example, if you are using the H 25mm  
eyepiece with the Meade 50AZ-P, the resulting power will be:  
Power = 625mm ÷ 25mm = 25X.  
Similarly, if you are using the H 12.5mm eyepiece, the resulting power will be:  
625mm ÷ 12.5mm = 50X.  
Note: The letter “H” refers to the “Huygens” optical design which yields well-corrected images with refracting  
telescopes.  
With the 3.5x Barlow lens, an eyepiece’s power is multiplied 3.5 times. For example, the H 25mm (25X) eyepiece,  
when used in conjunction with the 3.5x Barlow lens, produces a magnification of 88X. The H 12.5mm (50X)  
eyepiece produces a magnification of 175X when used with the Barlow lens. To use the 3.5x Barlow lens, remove  
the diagonal mirror from the eyepiece holder (17, Fig. 1), then insert the 3.5x Barlow lens, followed by the diagonal  
mirror (15, Fig. 1) and eyepiece (1, Fig. 1). Refocus until the image is sharp.  
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the  
Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.  
7
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A FEW WORDS ABOUT POWER  
The useful higher magnification with any 50mm diameter telescope is in the range of 50 to 100 power. The general  
rule to follow with any telescope, regarding power: Only use as much magnification as a steady, well-defined image  
supports. The stability of the air varies and is one reason why having various eyepieces is desirable. Higher powers  
are no guaranty of better images; in fact, the opposite is often true.  
MAINTENANCE  
As with any quality optical instrument, lens surfaces should be cleaned as infrequently as possible. A little dust on the  
surface of the objective lens causes negligible degradation of image quality and should not be considered reason to  
“clean” the lens. When lens cleaning does become necessary, use a camel’s hair brush or compressed air to gently  
remove dust. Wipe only with a soft, clean cloth, applying as little pressure as possible to avoid scratching glass  
surfaces. Note: Remove the dew shield/lens shade (20, Fig. 1) to access the objective lens (16, Fig. 1).  
SPECIFICATIONS  
Objective (main) lens focal length 625mm  
Objective lens diameter  
Focal ratio  
50mm (2.0”)  
f/12.5  
Mounting type  
3X Barlow  
Altazimuth, with locking pan-handle  
Tray  
Dust Cover  
27 Hubble, Irvine, California 92618  
(800) 626-3233 www.meade.com  
8
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