Meade Starfinder 16 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
16" STARFINDER
REFLECTING TELESCOPE
Meade InstrumentsCorporation
1675 Toronto Way, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 5562291

WARNING
NEVER ATTEMPT TO OBSERVE THE SUN THROUGH
YOUR MEADE TELESCOPE OBSERVING THE SUN,
EVEN FOR THE SHORTEST FRACTION OF A SECOND
WILL CAUSE INSTANT AND IRREVERSIBLE EYE'
DAMAGE.WHEN OBSERVING DURING THE
DAYTIME, DO NOT POINT THE TELESCOPE EVEN
CLOSE TO THE SUN.
Every Meade telescope,spotting scope,and binocular is warranted by Meade Instruments Corp,(MIC) to be free of defects in materials
and workmanship for the usable life ofthe product. MIC will repair or replace the pr08uct, or part thereof, found upon inspection by
MIC to be defective, provided the defective part or product is returned to MIC, freightprepaid, with proofof 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 NumberRequired: Prior to the return of any productor part, a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) number must be obtained
from MIC. In the continental U.S.A.,outside California, callMIC toll-free at 1-800-854-7485 to obtain the RGA number. From all other
areas,including California, call direct:1-714-556-2291.Eachreturned part orproduct mustinclude a written statement detailing the
nature of the claimed defect, as well as the owner's name,address, telephone number, and a copy of the original sales invoice.
Electronic,Electrical, Accessory, and Optical Components:Electrical, electronic, an~ accessory components of Meade products,
whether these components are purchased separately or as parts of a complete system, are warranted by MIC for a period ofone year
from the date of originalpurchase.Opticalcoatings are warranted for a period ofthree years.The warranties described inthis
paragraph are the.exclusive MIC warranties for electrical,electronic,accessory, and optical coatings components and limitthe
obligations of MIC under any other stated warranty provision.
This warranty is notvalid in cases where the producthas 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.t.:11Cspecifically disclaims special, indirect,or
consequential damages or lost profit which may result from a breach ofthis warranty.Any implied warranties which cannotbe disclaimed
are hereby limited to a term of one yearfrom the date of purchase by the originalpurchaser.
©1992 All Rights Reserved
Ver. 0392-1

1. Main optical tube
2.Photo-guide telescope
(optional)
3. Focuser
4. Viewfinder (optional)
5.35mm camera body
6. Primary mirror cell
7. Radius -blocks
8. Saddle plate
9. Electric declination
section of dual-axis
d~ ive corrector
10.Declination casting
11.Declination setting
circle
12. Declination lock
13.Declination shaft
14. Counterweights
15.Safety ring
16. Tripod leg
17. Accessory shelf (optional)
18. Dual-axis drive corrector
(optional)
19.Pier
20. Latitude locking bolt
21.R.A.setting circle
22. Motor drive system (optional)
23.Polar casting
24. -Wing nuts for attaching main
tube to saddle plate
25.Pier cap
26. Arrow showing orientation of
Polar Axis when pointing to
Polaris for correct tracking

A. Unpacking .... .
B. Assembly and Set-up
C. Balancing the Telescope
D. Aligning the Viewfinder .
E. Collimation of the Optical System
F. Polar Alignment . . . . . . .
G. Celestial Coordinates: Declination and Right Ascension
H.Use of Setting Circles
I. Magnifying Power
J. Seeing Conditions
K. Observing Guidelines
L. Astrophotography through the Telescope
M. Care of Optics and Main Tube
N. Optional Accessories - Visual
O. Optional Accessories -Photographic
6
6
7
8
8
9
.10
.10
.11
.11
.12
.12
.14
.14
.15

This manual describes the set-up and operation of Meade Starfinder 16" reflecting telescope. Please read
the manual thoroughly so that you may operate your Meade Starfinder reflecting telescope to its full potential.
Note to Foreign users: Meade Reflecting Telescope and Equatorial Mount models supplied to countries
outside the U.S.A. are identical in all respects to the telescopes offered domestically, except that some
models are supplied with 220v/50Hz motor drive systems, for Northern or Southern Hemisphere. You may
need to supply your own adapter in order to plug into your local electrical outlet. In this case, be sure that
the adapter is of a "3-prong" type so that the telescope is properly grd,undedat all times.
CAUTION: DO NOT OBSERVE THE SUN WITH YOUR MEADE REFLECTING TELESCOPE
Observation of the Sun can cause serious and irreversible eye damage. Under no conditions should
the observer point the telescope directly at or near the Sun or attempt to observe the Sun through the
telescope.
.
Carton #1: Optical tube assembly with secondary mirror and holder attached.
Carton #2: The primary mirror mounted in its cell; hardware for mirr~r cell.
Carton #3: The complete equatorial head with pier and motor attached; mounting straps; focuser;
viewfinder; three tripod legs; eyepiece (MA 25mm); all necessary hardware.
Remove and identify each part from the cartons, using Figure 1.
CAUTION: The primary mirror must be handled with special care. Never touch its reflective surface or place
the mirror where it could be damaged. Save all original packing materials; if it is ever necessary to ship the
telescope, these materials will help to assure that no shipping damage will occur.
B. ASSEMBLY AND SET-UP: Refer to Figure 1
1. Attach the tripod legs (6, Fig 1) to the pier (19, Fig 1) using the wing nuts provided. For a more rigid or
permanent assembly, use the hex head nuts and tighten with pliers or wrench.
2.Remove the equatorial head from carton #3 and insert the lower portion of the pier cap (25, Fig 1) into the
top of the pier (19, Fig 1). Use the three screws supplied in the pier:sap to attach the pier to the pier cap of
the equatorial head. Thread the Declination lock knob (12, Fig 1) into the machined housing located near the
lower end of the declination housing (10, Fig 1).
3. Adjust the polar axis to your approximate latitude by loosening the latitude locking bolt (20, Fig 1). It will
also be necessary to loosen the four hex set screws located on the Pier Cap near the Latitude Locking Bolts.
Rotate the mount about the lock bolt until the center of the latitude locking bolt points to the latitude of your
viewing location.(Degrees of latitude are shown on most maps:)
4. Slide the counterweights from cartons #4 and #5 (14, Fig 1) onto rhe Declination shaft (13, Fig 1) and lock
it in place about halfway up the shaft. CAUTION: The counterweights should never be removed with the
optical tube in place
5. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Secure the counterweight safety washer (15, Fig 1) onto the end of the
declination shaft.

6. The optical tube has been pre-drilled at the Meade factory to accept all standard accessories. Lay the
tube flat on a floor and attach the focuser (3, Fig 1) as shown in Figure 1. using the supplied hardware. Do
not overtighten; a firm feel is sufficient.
7. Attach the viewfinder (4. Fig 1) as shown in Figure 1 using its stahdard hardware. As with the focuser. a
firm feel is sufficient. Overtightening may result in damage to the tube's finish.
8. Carefully remove the primary mirror cell (6,Fig 1) from carton #2 and. with the tube lying flat on a smooth
surface. line up the colored marker on the mirror cell with the colored marker inside the optical tube. Slide
the complete mirror cell into the rear of the telescope and securp the cell to the tube with the supplied
hardware.
CAUTION: Since the telescope has not been balanced as yet, the tUbe may begin to move around either the
declinatio'n axis or polar axis, or both.Firmlytighten the declination lock knob (12, Fig 1); this should prevent
rotation of the telescope about the polar axis.
The telescope must be balanced around both axes in order for the flOuntto track accurately. Most tracking
errors are the result of improper balancing; with an improperly balanced telescope objects may become
difficult to find or, once found. may be easily lost.
To balance the telescope:
1. Loosen the Declination lock knob (12. Fig 1).
2. Rotate the telescope about bQ1h axes so that the Declination ,shaft (13, Fig 1) and the optical tube
(1. Fig 1) are both horizontal in relation to the ground.
3. Slide the counterweight(s) along the Declination shaft.as necessary, until the telescope is balanced about
the Polar axis. Lock the counterweight(s) and make certain that the.x>unterweight safety washer (15, Fig 1)
is firmly in place.
The viewfinder will require alignment. or collimation, with the main te;escope, in order that the viewfinder and
the main telescope are parallel and point to the same position.
1. Insert the 25mm eyepiece and focus the main telescope on aconvenient land target by turning the
focuser pinion knobs. This target should be a well-defined, specific point (e.g. the top of a telephone pole or
the corner of a building) at least 200 yards distant.
3. Tighten or loosen, as appropriate,the viewfinder's collimation thumb screws (there are six of these screws
located on the viewfinder bracket rings) until the crosshairs of the viewfinder are precisely centered on the
object already centered in the main telescope.
With this collimation accomplished, objects located first in the wideifield viewfinder will then be centered in
the main telescope's field of view.

Precise collimation, or alignment, of your telescope's optical system is essential for good performance.All
Meade telescopes are accurately collimated at the factory prior to shipment, so collimation adjustments will
probably not be necessary. Nevertheless, take the time now to familiarize yourself with the following
collimation procedure so that you may recognize a properly collimated instrument and adjust the collimation
yourself, if necessary:
1. Reflection of eye
6. Tilt screws
2. Diagonal mirror
7. Lock nuts
3. Reflection of primary mirror
8. Spider vanes
4. Focuser drawtube
9.
Support bolt
5. Secondary mirror holder 10. Central hub
. ,
1. Remove the eyepiece from the focuser and look directly atth6 o,agonal mirror located inside the upper
end of the optical tube. Within its reflection you will see the main mirror, a reflection of the diagonal mirror,
and your eye, each centered within each other, and with respectto the bottom edge of the focuser drawtube.
(Refer to Figure 2.)
2. If the diagonal mirror is DQ1centered within the circle formed by the bottom edge of the focuser drawtube,
rotate the diagonal mirror holder about its support bolt. When the'mirror is centered, tighten the lock nuts
(7, Fig 2) on the long boltagainst the central hub of the 4-vane system.
3.If the reflection of the main mirror is not centered on the surface of the diagonal mirror,adjust the 3 tilt
screws (6, Fig 2) on the back of the diagonal mirror holder to achieve correct centering.
4. If the reflection of your eye is not centered within the reflection'of the primary mirror, adjust the 3 wing
nuts located on the rear of the primary mirror cell. Proceed by "trial and error"until you develop a feel for
which wing nut to turn in order to change the image in any given war.
5.Perform an actual star'test to confirm the accuracy of Steps 1 through 4,above. Using the 25mm
eyepiece, point the telescope at a moderately bright (second or third magnitude) star, and center the image in
the main telescope's field of view.
6. Bring the star's image slowly in and out of focus until you see several circles ("diffraction rings")
surrounding the star's central disk. If Step 4 was done correctly, youwill see (Figure 3B) concentric circles.

An improperly collimated instrument will reveal oblong or elongated circles (Figure 3A). Adjust the 3 wing
nuts on the mirror cell until the circles are concentric on either side offocus.
Since the focal point ofthe Starfinder 16 has been intentionally seUor "prime-focus"astrophotography and
extends beyond the normal travel of the focusing mechanism, It is necessary to use an eyepiece extender
tube, included as standard equipment,in order to use standard eyepieces for normal visual observations.
NOTE: With some eyepieces of 25mm focal length or longer, it may be necessary to pullthe eyepiece out
slightly from the extender tube to reach correct focus. ..
Your reflecting telescope is equipped with a German-style equatorialmount which, when properly aligned,will
turn the optical tube precisely to counteract the constant rotation of the Earth. The telescope's polar axis
must point to the Celestial Pole - the imaginary point around which all the stars appear to rotate. Polaris, the
North Star, is conveniently located about 1
0
from the true North Celestial Pole.With the telescope properly
aligned, any celestial object can be kept centered in the telescope's field of view simply by moving the
instrument about the polar axis. With the motor drive operating, the telescope will automatically turn atthe
correct speed to keep astronomical objects centered in the field of view.
1. One of the tripod legs is designated the "North Leg" and is identified as the leg that is parallel to the Polar
casting (23, Fig 1). when viewed from above. Set the mount on level ground with this leg pointing North.
2.Check the latitude scale to confirm that the polar axis is tilted to equal the latitude of your viewing
location. .

Analogous to the Earth-based coordinate system of latitude and lOngitude, Celestial objects are mapped
according to a coordinate system on the "Celestial sphere," the imaginary sphere on which all stars appear to
be placed. The Poles of the celestial coordinate system are defined as those points where the Earth's
rotation axis, if extended to infinity, North and South, intersects the Celestial sphere. Thus, the North
Celestial Pole is the point in the sky where an extension of the Earth's axis through the North Pole intersects
the Celestial sphere.In fact, this point in the sky is located near the North Star, or Polaris.
On the surface of the Earth, "lines of longitude" are drawn between the North and South Poles. Similarly,
"lines of latitude" are drawn in an East-West direction, parallel to the'Earth's equator. The Celestial equator
is simply an extension of the Earth's equator onto the Celestial sphere. Just as on the surface of the Earth,
imaginary'lines have been drawn on the Celestial sphere to form a coordinate grid. Celestial object positions
are mapped on this grid, in the same manner as positions on the Earth's surface are specified by their
latitude and longitude.
The Celestial e.quivalentto Earthly latitude is called "Declination," aild it is measured in degrees, minutes,
and seconds north ("+") or south ("-") of the Celestial equator. Thus any point on the Celestial equator
(which passes, for example, through the constellations Orion, Virgo, and Aquarius) is specified as having
0° 0', 0" Declination. The Declination of the star Polaris, located very near the North Celestial Pole, is +89.2°.
The Celestial equivalent to Earthly longitude is called "Right Ascension," or "R.A.," and it is measured in
hours, mif')utes,and seconds from an arbitrarily defined "zero" line of RA passing through the constellation
Pegasus. Right Ascension coordinates range from Ohr,Omin,Osecto (but not including) 24h, Om,Os. Thus
there are 24 primary lines of RA, located at 15° intervals along the Celestial equator. Objects located
further and further east of the prime (Ohr,Om,Os)Right Ascension grid line carry increasing R.A. coordinates.
With all Celestial objects therefore capable of being specified in position by their Celestial coordinates of
Right Ascension and Declination, the task of finding objects (inparticulai, faint objects) in the telescope is
vastly simplified.
The setting circles of the instrument may be dialed, in effect, to read the object coordinates and the desired
object can be found without resorting to visual techniques. However, these setting circles may be used to
advantage only if the telescope is first properly aligned to the North Celestial Pole (Section F).
The setting circles (11 and 21, Fig 1) of the telescope may be used to aid in the location of faint objects
difficult to find by direct visual observation. Application of the s.etting circles presumes that the polar
alignment procedure of Section F, above, has been perfonned. To use the setting circles, follow this
procedure:
1. Note the Right Ascension (RA) and Declination (DEC) of the object you wish to find.
2. Look up in a star atlas or catalog a bright easy-to-find object of known RA and DEC, positioned closely in
the sky to the object you wish to locate. This bright object should typically be within 1 hour of RA and 10° in
DEC of the object to be located.
3. With the telescope's motor drive in operation, point the telescope at the bright object; center and focus
this object in the telescope's field of view.
4. Use the hex wrench provided to loosen the DEC setting circle {1e, Fig 1); turn the circle until it reads the
correct Declination of the object centered in the telescope's field of view. Re-Iock the DEC circle in position.
Note that this calibration procedure need only performed once - the very first time you use your telescope's
setting circles; with the DEC circle thus calibrated it will correctly reC'dthe Declination of any object centered
in the telescope in the future.
5. To calibrate the RA circle, again keeping the bright object centered in the telescope's field, turn the RA
circle (21, Fig 1) by hand (without movingthe telescope) to read the GorrectRA of the bright object.

6. With the two setting circles thus accurately reading the RA and DEC ofthe bright object. turn the
telescope tube so that the setting circles now correctly read the RA and DEC of the object you wish find. If
the above calibration was done carefully, and if the polar axis of the telescope is reasonably well-aligned to
the pole, then the object will be in the field of a low power eyepiece.
The above procedure can be followed to locate any object in the sky with known RA and DEC. Note that the
DEC circle, as stated above, need not bere-calibrated once step 4 above has been performed. Because RA
is a function of time, however, the RA circle must always be calibrated to an object of known RA first,
followed by movement of the telescope to the correct RA of the object to be located.
The operating magnification of the telescope is a function of two distinct optical characteristics: the focal
length of the telescope and the focal length of the eyepiece in use. For example,using the 25mm eyepiece
with the 16" Starfinder yields 72X, computed as follows:
1800mm (focal length of the telescope) 72X
• 25mm (focal length of the eyepiecef
The type of eyepiece,whether Modified Achromatic, Orthoscopic,or Plossl, has no effect on magnification,
but does have a bearing on such optical characteristics as field of view,flatness of field, and color correction.
Maximum practical magnification is about 50X per inch ofaperture. Generally;however, lower powers will
produce higher image resolution. When unsteady air conditions prevail (as witnessed by rapid "twinkling"of
the stars),·extremely high powers result in "empty" magnification, where the object detail observedis actually
diminished by the excessive power.
When beginning observations on a particular object, start with a low power eyepiece; get the object
well-eentered in the field of view and sharply focused. Then try H;e next step up in magnification. If the
image starts to become fuzzy as you work up into higher magnifica :ons,then back down to a lower power:
the atmospheric steadiness is notsufficient to support high powers at the time you are observing. Keep in
mind that a bright, clearly resolved, but smaller, image will show far more detail than a dimmer, poorly .
resolved, larger image. "
Because of certain characteristics of the human eye (in particular,eye pupil diameter) and because of
optical considerations inherent in the design of the telescope, there exist minimum practical power levels
also. Generally speaking the lowest usable power is approximately 4Xper inch of telescope aperture.
Even in normal city conditions, with all of the related air and Iignt pollution,there are many interesting
celestial objects to observe. But, to be sure, there is no substitute for the clear, dark, steady skies generally
found only away from urban environments, or on mountaintops:oQjects previously viewed only in the city
take on added detail or are seen in wider extension, or even become visible at all for the first time.
The amateur astronomer is faced typically with two broadly defined problems when viewing astronomical
objects through the Earth's atmosphere: first is the clarity, or transparency, of the air, and secondly the
steadiness of the air. This latter characteristic is often referred to as the quality of "seeing." Amateur
astronomers talk almost constantly about the "seeing conditions,"since, perhaps ironically, even the clearest,
darkest skies may be almost worthless for serious observations if tl'e air is not steady.This steadiness of
the atmosphere is most readily gauged by observing the "twinkling" of the stars:rapid twinkling implies air
motion in the Earth's atmosphere, and under these conditions, re~,blutionof fine detail (on the surface of
Jupiter, for instance) will generally be limited.When the airis ste3.dy,stars appear to the naked eye as
untwinkling points of unchanging brightness, and it is in such a situation that the full potential of the
telescope may be realized: higher powers may be used to advantage, closer double stars resolved as
distinct points,and fine detail observed on the Moon and planets.

Several basic guidelines should be followed for best results in using ypur telescope:
1. Try not to touch the eyepiece while observing. Any vibrations res:Jltingfrom such contact will immediately
cause the image to move.
2. Allow your eyes to become "dark-adapted" prior to making s.erious observations. Night adaptation
generally requires about 10-15 minutes for most people.
3. Let the telescope "cool down" to the outside environmental temperature before making observations.
Temperature differentials between a warm house and cold outside air require about 30 minutes for the
telescope.'soptics to regain their true correct figures. During this period the telescope will not perform well.
4. If you wear glasses and do not suffer from astigmatism, take your glasses off when observing through the
telescope. You can re-focus the image to suit your own eyes. Observers with astigmatism, however, should
keep their glasses on, especially with lower powered eyepieces. The effects of astigmatism are reduced with
higher power eyepieces, so eyeglasses may be removed to improve eye relief.
5. Avoid setting up the telescope inside a room and observing through an open window (or, worse yet,
through a closed window ). The air currents caused by inside/outside temperature differences will make
quality observing impossible.
6. "Stopping-Down" the Telescope: In using the Starfinder 16 for lunar and planetary observations,
particularly if "seeing" conditions are unsteady, it is often helpful to reduce the effective aperture of the
telescope.In this way the telescope's effective focal ratio is increased, generally permitting the resolution of
finer lunar and planetary detail. A simple method to "stop-down" the telescope is to cut a 8" or 10" hole in a
piece of cardboard, and tape this mask to the front of the telescope's end protector.
7. Perhaps most importantly of all, avoid "overpowering"your telesccpe. The maximum usable magnification
at any given time is governed by the seeing conditions. If the telescopic image starts to become fuzzy as
you increase in power, drop down to a reduced magnification. A smaller, but brighter and sharper, image is
far more preferable to a larger, but fuzzy, indistinct one.
As you use your telescope more and more, you will find that you are,seeingmore and finer detail: observing
through a large-aperture telescope is an acquired skill. Celestial observing will become increasingly
rewarding as your eye becomes better trained to the detection of subtle nuances of resolution. '
Your reflecting telescope can be used as a powerful astrophotographic lens with the addition of virtually any
35mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera body. The Basic Camera Adapter (available optionally; see the
Meade General Catalog) and T-Mount for your specific brand of SLR camera serve as the link between
telescope and camera. To mount your camera on the telescope:
1.Remove the standard lens from your camera and set it aside. (Remember: the telescope is the camera's
lens.)
3. Thread the prime-focus section of the Basic Camera Adapter (op~ional)into the front of the T-Mount now
attached to your camera (Fig 4a).
4.Remove the eyepiece from the focuser and insert the chrome barrel of the camera adapter into the
focuser drawtube.
5. Focus the camera by looking through the camera viewfinder anj turning the telescope's focuser knobs
until the image is sharp.

In the above configuration, the telescope is operating in the "prime-focus"or no-eyepiece photographic mode
and the resulting magnification is 22X.The low magnification yield~d in is ideal for wide-angle photography
of the Moon, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
When higher magnification is desired, such as during lunar and plan~tary photography, an eyepiece may be
inserted into the Camera Adapter (Fig 4b) so that the image is projected through the eyepiece, onto the film
plane. This adapter is known as Eyepiece-Projection photography, and requires the use of the eyepiece
extender tube.
Distant deep space objects - such as nebulae and galaxies - present a unique challenge to the
astrophotographer:the targets are faint (often requiring exposure times ofup to an hour) and,of course, they
are constantly moving around the Celestial Sphere. With the telesC9pe's motor drive engaged, the camera
can be kept pointing to the same place in the sky for extended period~of time.However, tracking errors may
still result. These minor variations in the driving rate stem from sev,~ralsources, including: inaccurate Polar
alignment;differential refraction of light through the Earth's atmoSpht1re;variations in the frequency of local
electric current; and mechanical tolerances in the manufacturing of th,edrive system.
Because every tracking flaw will be faithfully recorded on the film, the astrophotographer must monitor the
driving rate and make careful correction to compensate for these.tracking errors. Several Meade drive
correctors are avalible to actuate these corrections. (See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES -PHOTOGRAPHIC;
and the Meade General Catalog). .,
6. Hold a piece of cardboard over the front of the telescope until tt,e shutter has been locked open and all
vibrations have had time to dampen out.
7. NEVER attempt to photograph (or observe) the Sun.
.s: ,
8. Be patient Successful astrophotography does not come easily. but the potential rewards are well worth
the effort.

With the reasonable care due any fine instrument, your Meade telescope will last a lifetime. If the eyepieces
become dirty, try cleaning them with a camel's hair brush or compressed air. If you must wipe the surface of
the lenses, do so gently with a soft cloth so as not to scratch the protective coatings.
The aluminum coating on the primary and secondary mirrors may last more than ten years without significant
deterioration. (The coatings will last a shorter period if regularly exposed to salty or polluted air.) Minor
blemishes, scratches, or streaks will NOT impair the telescope's perfonnance. Re-eoating,when necessary,
is relatively inexpensive. Contact your local Meade dealer for information on mirror re-coating services.
The most common error is to clean the optics too often. If it does bec,omenecessary, clean as follows:
1.Remove the mirror from its cell.
3.Dip a wad 8f cotton in a mild detergent solution (1/2 teaspoon to 1 pint ofwater) and ~ swab the
entire surface.
4.Continue running water on the mirror surface to prevent beading and make ready three wads of cotton
and a solution of 50% distilled water and 50 % Isopropyl alcohol.
6.Swab the entire surface. Do not turn over the cotton wads or dissolved skin oils may deposit on the
mirror's surface. Immediately take a dry swab and continue wiping the entire surface gently. Keep
changing wads until the mirror surface is completely dry and free of streaks.
When cleaning the outside of the Starfinder optical tube (4,Fig 1), I,se a mild detergent, (Pine-Sol,Fonnula
409, Fantastic,or oil soap). Oil soap is preferred as it also acts as'a preservative for the paint. Solvent or
alcohol based cleaning solutions will diminish the original luster of the paint.
For details on the following optional accessories, see your local M~ade dealer,or the Meade Instruments
Telescope Systems and Accessories Catalog.
Eyepieces: Many additional eyepieces are available for higher and lower magnifications. All Meade reflecting
telescopes accept standard 1.25" 0.0. eyepieces.
Telenegative Amplifiers: The Telenegative Amplifier, or Barlow Lens, is a convenient accessory used to
increase the effective magnification of any given eyepiece. The Telenegative Amplifier is inserted into the
focuser and accepts all standard 1.25" 0.0. eyepieces.Available in the following powers: 2X and 2X-3X
variable power.
Filters: Thirteen color filters are·available for significantly increased contrast and resolution of detail on the
Moon and planets. For example, the #80A (blue) filter effectively erhances the reddish-colored detail on the
surface of Jupiter.These filters thread into the barrels of all standar J 1.25" 0.0. eyepieces and may also be
used for eyepiece projection photography.
#55 Manual Declination Control: Attaches directly to the equa urial mount. Allows fine micrometric
adjustments in Declination. ~,
Dust Covers:Snug-fitting vinyl dust covers protect optics from outsid~ dust during storage of the telescope.
Viewfinders:Higher power/larger aperture viewfinders are available to substitute or retrofit. In addition to the
standard-equipment 6x30mm viewfinder supplied with all Starfinder telescopes, viewfinders for
straight-through viewing are available in the following sizes:8x50mm,and 9x60mm.

#47M Dual-Axis Drive CQrrectQr System:With pushbuttQn cQntrQ s fQr simultaneQus correctiQns Qn both
telescope axes during astrQphQtQgraphy. Operates frQm 115 VQlts/60Hz A.C. Qr 12 VQlts D.C.; this latter
alternative has the advantageQus side-effect Qf enabling field Qperat1QnQf the telescQpe drive by connection
to a standard 12 VQltautQmQbile battery through the cigarette lighterplug.
#43 R. A. Drive CorrectQr:FQr the amateur requiring accurate RighI AscensiQn drive correction at a modest
cost. Operates from 12 volts D.C. and includes convenient auto cigarette plug.
Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece:Permits easy visibility of guiding crosslines even against the darkest skies.
The standard #702A dQuble-crQssline, phQsphQrescent-enhanced reticle allQws fQr variable illumination from
faint tQ very bright.