Your 25mm low-power eyepiece
magnifies an object 28 times.
Multiply 28 by 2 and you get 56 times
magnification with a Barlow.
Eyepiece’s magnification x 2
=
Magnification with a 2X Barlow lens
It’s worth repeating
: Keep in mind that a
bright, clear, but smaller image is more
interesting than a larger, dimmer, fuzzy one.
Using too high a power eyepiece is one of
the most common mistakes made by new
astronomers. So don’t think that higher
magnification is necessarily better—quite
often the best view is with lower
magnification value!
TAKING CARE OF YOUR TELESCOPE
Your telescope is a precision optical
instrument designed for a lifetime of
rewarding viewing. It will rarely, if ever,
require factory servicing or maintenance.
Follow these guidelines to keep your
telescope in the best condition:
• As with any quality instrument, lens or
mirror surfaces should be cleaned as
infrequently as possible. Front surface
aluminized mirrors, in particular, should
be cleaned only when absolutely
necessary. In all cases avoid touching
any mirror surface. A little dust on the
surface of a mirror or lens causes
negligible loss of performance and should
not be considered reason to clean the
surface. When lens or mirror cleaning
does become necessary, use a camel's
hair brush or compressed air gently to
remove dust. If the telescope's dust
cover is replaced after each
observing session, cleaning of the
optics will rarely be required.
• Fingerprints and organic materials on
the lens or mirror may be removed
with a solution of 3 parts distilled
water to 1 part isopropyl alcohol. You
may also add 1 drop of biodegradable
dishwashing soap per pint of solution.
Use soft, white facial tissues and
make short, gentle strokes. Change
tissues often.
CAUTION: Do not use scented or lotioned
tissues or damage could result to the
optics. DO NOT use a commercial
photographic lens cleaner.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Additional Eyepieces (1.25" barrel
diameter):
You might have noticed something strange
when you looked through your eyepiece.
Although the image is right-side up, it is
reversed. That means reading words can be a
problem. But it has no affect on astronomical
objects. If you wish to
have a fully corrected
image, check out Meade’s
optional Erecting Prism
in the Optional Accessory
section (see Fig. 10).
For higher or lower
magnifications with
the telescopes that
accommodate 1.25" eyepieces, Meade Series
4000 Super Plössl eyepieces, available in a
wide variety of sizes, provide a high level of
image resolution and color correction at an
economical price. Contact your Meade Dealer
or see the Meade catalog for more
information. Visit us on the web at
www.meade.com.
16
45
o
Erecting Prism
Fig. 10
Meade80EQ-AR 4/28/06 9:55 AM Page 18
