Meade 647 User manual

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 (ə.g., the Pictor
1616XT) are employed. One of the most important aspects of
this system is the dramatic reduction in setup and focus time
after initial calibration. Threaded on to the rear cell of any
Meade LxX-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 removabie-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 cell 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 tum the Flip-
Mirror's 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 the 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 their 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-iens 35mm SLR camera body with the
appropriate optional camera-specific T-mount), thread-in the
Short T-Adapter (5, Fig.2) to the camera body. Then attach the
Short T-Adapter with CCD camera to the Flip-Mirror's 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.
Operating Instructions
Meade Model 647 CCD Flip-Mirror System (2”)
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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 fieace Model 647 —
Flip-Mirror System (2”). Among the eyepieces manufactured by
Meade, these specific eyepieces may be employed with Meade
Pictor Autoguider/Imagers:
¢ All Meade Illuminated Reticle Eyepieces including PL9mm
and MA12mm (1.25” O.D.)
e Meade MA 12mm Astrometric Eyepiece (1.25" O.D.)
e Meade Pléssi 25mm CCD Framing Eyepiece (1.25” O.D.)
e — All Series 3000 Pléss! Eyepieces (1.25” O.D.)
¢ _ All Series 4000 Super Pléss! Eyepieces (1.25” O.D.)
¢ _ All Series 4000 Super Wide Angle Eyepieces (1.25” O.D.)
e Series 4000 Ultra Wide Angle Eyepieces 4.7mm, 6.7mm,
and 8.8mm (1.25” O.D.)
e 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 (i.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, place the mirror of the Flip-Mirror in the “UP”
position, by tuming 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 tuming 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 piace 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.
eyepieces.
Matching
eyepiece
focus
with
the
attached
CCD
camera
is
achieved
by
releasing
the
Focuser
Lock
Ring
(8
Fig.
2),
by
turing
it
counterclockwise
and
tuming
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”
1.D.
Eyepiece
Holder
Adapter
.
Helical
Focuser
Lock
Ring
. Helical Focuser Tube
YO PNAA aw
Fig.
2:
Meade
Model
647
Flip-Mirror
System
(2")
—
Exploded
View
Lock
the
eyepiece
focus
in
position
by
tuming
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

Important Note: Provided that the camera/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 f/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 (ie., with the
System's internal mirror in the “UP” position)coincides with the
center of the eyepiece’s field of view (i.e., with the System’s
internal mirror in the “DOWN?” position).
To make horizontai adjustments to the mirror, use the supplied
hex-head wrench to release (tuming counterciockwise) 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 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, return 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.
e — Confirm 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 piane
of the CCD camera so an exposure can 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: !f 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-Mirrors Case to gain access to the Mirror Shaft
Tension Adjustment Screw (15, Fig. 2). Turn the hex-head
screw slightly clockwisa, while testing the tension by tuming the
remaining Mirror Control Knob.
Avoid cleaning the flip-mirror optics: a little 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
gentle strokes of a camel hair brush or blown off with an ear
syringe (available at any pharmacy). DO NOT use a
commerci i i r.
If you have any questions regarding the use of the Flip-Mirror,
please call Meade Customer Service at [phone].
Customer Service hours are from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.