"A User's Guide to LXD55 and LXD75 Telescope" Book Description

A comprehensive introductory guide to choosing and using an LXD55/75 computer-controlled Goto series of telescopes. It is suitable for both beginners and more advanced practical amateur astronomers. It brings together the information needed to help owners get the best out of their LXD telescopes.
Key Features
Author(s)	Martin Peston
Publisher	Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Date of Publication	05/06/2007
Language(s)	English
Format	Paperback
ISBN-10	0387364897
ISBN-13	9780387364896
Genre	Astronomy, Space & Time
Series Title	Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series
Publication Data
Place of Publication	New York, NY
Country of Publication	United States
Imprint	Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Content Note	110 Colour & black & white illustrations
Dimensions
Weight	590 g
Width	155 mm
Height	235 mm
Spine	17 mm
Pagination	270
Table Of Contents	Introduction.- Astronomy as a Hobby.- Choosing an LXD Telescope.- Setting Up the Telescope.- Polar Alignment and Goto Setup.- First Night's Observing.- Telescope Operations, Abilities and Observing Techniques.- The Universe at a Touch of a Button.- Connecting to a Personal Computer.- Taking Images.- Keeping Your Telescope in Peak Condition.- Gadgets and Gizmos.- Where Did It All Go Wrong.- Appendices.

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• The first book to describe the Meade LXD telescope range in detail
• Serves a large user-base of these telescope models worldwide
• Contains instructions for beginners and advanced amateurs alike
• Not solely aimed at owners of the telescope models – reaches a wider audience by comparing models pre-purchase
• This is a fully comprehensive guide to "choosing and using" the LXD55 / 75 computer-controlled – "go to" – series of telescopes. It is intended both for beginners and more advanced practical amateur astronomers
• The LXD series of telescopes is unusual in having German Equatorial Mounts – GEMs – rather than the more common altazimuth design. Although setting up a GEM with a go-to system is more involved than setting up the equivalent altazimuth mount, there are many advantages in the system, including zero field rotation
• A User’s Guide to the Meade LXD55 and LXD75 Telescopes contains a wealth of information on setting up, using and maintaining the telescope, along with lots of hints, tips, and tricks for getting the very best out of it
• Coverage in advanced techniques for experienced astronomers and LXD users include imaging, interfacing with a PC or laptop, using available accessories, and troubleshooting

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Author's Description
This book provides a comprehensive introductory guide to "choosing and using" an LXD55/75 computer-controlled "GOTO" series of telescopes, and is useful for both beginners and more advanced practical amateur astronomers. It also provides a comprehensive guide to using Autostar[tm], the computerized "GOTO" handset. There is already a large user-base of these telescopes around the world, but there is as yet no single comprehensive guide commercially available for users to fully get to grips with using the LXD series of telescopes. The manufacturer's manuals are not detailed enough to be of real help to beginners, nor does it provide advanced technical tips and user information to help the experienced astronomer get the best out of these instruments. This guide brings together the information needed to help owners get the best out of their LXD telescopes.
This book is for beginners who have just bought an LXD telescope, it is also for amateurs who own an LXD telescope.

Own an Autostar #497 Handset?
In fact this book for any one who owns a #497 Autostar handset. That is owners of the LXD, LX90, ETX, DSX and any other telescopes that utilise the handset. Autostar owners will find that I have gone into great detail about how to use its functions, including some of the less commonly used ones, like Browse, Identify and Custom Tracking rate settings. An appendix provides a complete Named Star list along with star maps to find them. Even I will be using this list to find stars for GOTO alignment!

Setup Techniques
I have provided details about how to set up the LXD telescope where the manual lacks in explanation. This includes, using the RA calendar dial for
Polar alignment (yep there is one, under the RA setting circle!!). I have also provided real images, not just schematic diagrams of the internal
components of the optical tube assembly, so that you can easily identify what elements to adjust for collimation purposes.

And there's more!!
Of course there are some great astro images taken by owners of the telescopes from around the world. There is even a chapter on advising which LXD model to buy.

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Reviews

"Overall this is a useful reference for the beginner or intermediate user of the LXD series of telescopes and will help to fix many of the immediate issues that a user new to the instrument may face." - Darryl Sergison - Federation of Astronomical Societies - Spring 09 edition

"...it's a valuable resource for the LXD owner, and something that were I in the market for an LXD, would give consideration to", Nick Howes, Astronomy Now - April 2009 Issue
http://www.astronomynow.com/books/AstronomyNow-BookReview-MeadeLXD55andLXD75.html

"So, whilst this book should be an automatic purchase for anyone who buys one of these telescopes, I believe that many other beginners could learn from it. Martin should be justly proud of his book and I wholeheartedly recommend it to you.", (Ian Morison, Society for Popular Astronomy October - December 2008 Issue)

"Good news for all those who have found their Meade telescope just a tiny bit unfriendly. Tame the beast with this excellent book by our friend Martin Peston. "
(Brian May, http://www.banguniverse.com/newsitems/view/97)

"Many readers of my book Using the Meade ETX have told me that they keep the book handy when using their ETX telescope. I suspect that many LXD telescope users will keep A User's Guide to the Meade LXD55 and LXD75 Telescopes on hand as well. While no book will cover every topic or detail that the author wants to or should include, this book, in its 250 pages, has many techniques and tips that any level of LXD user will find valuable. I can heartily recommend this book to all LXD telescope users."
(Mike Weasner, author of Using the Meade ETX, http://www.weasner.com/lxd/reviews/2007/lxd-book.html)

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Product details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York Inc. (Jun 2007)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0387364897
• ISBN-13: 978-0387364896
• Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.5 x 1.8 cm