Meade RCX400, Instruction Manual

Series 4000 Nebular Filters:

A modern boon to the city-dwelling deep-space

observer, the interference nebular filter effectively cancels out the effects of most
urban light pollution, while leaving the light of deep-space nebular emissions virtual-
ly unattenuated. Meade

Series 4000 Nebular Filters

utilize the very latest in coating

technology, and are available with threaded cells for eyepieces or for attachment to
the rear cells of Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain models.

Variable Tele-Extender:

For eyepiece-projection photography of the Moon and the

planets, a Tele-Extender is required. The 

Variable Tele-Extender

threads onto the

telescope's eyepiece-holder, into which is inserted an eyepiece of typically about
26mm focal length; the 35mm camera body couples to the tele-extender by means of
a T-Mount. The Meade 

Variable Tele-Extender

permits a range of projection images.

#928 45° Erect-Image Diagonal Prism:

Diagonal mirrors and prisms result in images

that are correctly oriented up-and-down but reversed left-for-right. For terrestrial
observing a fully correctly oriented telescopic image is desirable; the 

#928 Diagonal

Prism

accomplishes this image correction and places the eyepiece at a convenient

45° viewing angle. The #928 is for use with the 1.25" Eyepiece-Holder.

Series 4000 Plössl 9mm Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece:

The most advanced com-

mercially-available illuminated reticle eyepiece, the 

Series 4000 Plössl 9mm 

model,

powered by an internal battery, includes micrometric x-y positioning controls which
greatly facilitate locking onto the guide star: Turn the finely-threaded controls and
place the reticle’s crossline pattern precisely at the desired position in the field. The
sharp, high-power imaging of the 4-element, multi-coated Plössl optical system is
complemented by a rubber eyecup (foldable for eyeglass wearers) that shuts out dis-
tracting stray light from the observer’s eye. The upper (lens) section of the eyepiece
rotates on a fine thread for precise diopter adjustment to the user’s eye. Reticle pat-
tern is a double crossline with two concentric circles.

#62 T-Adapter:

The T-Adapter is the basic means of prime-focus photography through

all Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain models. Thread the T-Adapter on to the rear cell of
your telescope, followed by a T-Mount for your 35mm camera, and the camera body
is rigidly coupled to the telescope.

#777 Off-Axis Guider:

The Off-Axis Guider provides a means during long-exposure

astrophotography for the photographer to monitor the tracking of the telescope to
assure that the telescope remains precisely positioned on the object being pho-
tographed. Like the T-Adapter, the 

Off-Axis Guider

couples the camera body to the

telescope but it also causes a small amount of the guidestar’s incoming light to be
diverted at a right angle, where the star’s position can be examined for tracking errors
with an illuminated reticle eyepiece; position corrections can then be effected using
Autostar II.

Piggyback Brackets:

Piggyback photography is one of the most popular and easiest

ways to get started in astrophotography. Attach your 35mm camera, with its own
35mm-to-250mm lens, atop your 

RCX400

in equatorial mode, and guiding the camera

through the main telescope, wide-field photos of the Milky Way of remarkable detail
and clarity can be taken.

Dew Shields:

In moist climates, water particles suspended in the atmosphere may

condense on the front surface of the telescope's correcting plate. This dew formation
may be inhibited to a significant extent by the addition of a dew shield, essentially an
extension tube attaching to the front-cell of the telescope.

#905 Variable Polarizer (1.25"): #1A Skylight Filter:

The #905 system includes 2

Polarizer filters mounted in a specially-machined cell, for glare-reduction in observ-
ing the Moon. Rotate the thumbscrew at the side of the unit to achieve light trans-
mission between 5% and 25% of its original value. The #905 inserts into the diago-
nal mirror of the telescope, followed by an eyepiece. The #1A Skylight Filter threads
onto the rear cells of all Meade 

RCX

models and effectively seals the interior of the

telescope from dust. All other rear cell accessories may then be threaded to the #1A
filter. The filter increases visual and photographic contrast, decreases glare, and
helps to penetrate haze.

Fig. 44:

#905 Variable Polarizer and

#1A Skylight Filter.

Fig. 43:

Series 4000 8 - 24mm Zoom

Eyepiece.

49

Fig. 45:

Illuminated Reticle Eyepiece.

Fig. 46:

#62 T-Adapter.