At 02:11 PM 4/3/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>Thank you, Ivor, for your help. A "beginner" question: what is PEC?

PEC, Periodic Error Correction, the inaccuracies of the RA drive can be trained out with PEC or SMART Drive.
http://www.meade.com/manuals/lx200/g.html#g1a3


>I read the procedure for the drift alignment. It seems simple enough. For
>what reason does one need to repeat the drift adjustment performed with a
>star near-South with a star near-East or West?

To be honest, I have never needed to, It is incase your elevation adjuster is off center and your wedge gets skewed on Az when you adjust elevation.


>You comment about the super-wedge is crucial in my case, and it has
>convinced me to take the plunge and buy the more expensive device. Boy, this
>astronomy hobby is becoming expensive!

Tell me about it :-)

>Keep smiling at fair skies. Ettore
>37 13 42 N
>76 00 18 W

Cheers !!
--Ivor

>----- Original Message -----
>Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 12:57 PM
>Subject: Re: [M]: LX200 alignment
>
>
>> Hi Ettore,
>>
>> Here are 2 issues I found:
>> 1. I started with the meade standard wedge and found that it does not
>adjust very well, in fact as it has screws for alt adjustment on both sides,
>this can skew the scope.
>> I bought the superwedge and have had no problems.
>>
>> 2. The iteration method is flawed as you are fighting GOTO inaccuracies in
>the RA and DEC. I use the drift method as described in my tips pages:
>>
>> http://www.employees.org/~ibarker/Astronomy/Tips.html
>>
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>>
>> Cheers !!
>> --
>> Ivor Barker
>> AIM - rekrabrovi
>> 10" LX 200, ST-237, MX7C
>> 37 08 24 N
>> 121 36 25 W
>> http://www.employees.org/~ibarker/Astronomy
>>
>> At 12:12 PM 4/3/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>> >Can anybody in this broad Mapug knowledge basis give me some steering on
>how to improve my Polaris alignment? Despite I address every element that
>can contribute to inaccuracy, I do not seem to accomplish a good enough
>alignment. I think I will try the Iteration process described by more senior
>astronomers and see if it helps. By way of elimination I am becoming very
>suspicious about the factory adjusted 90 degrees DEC and 0 hours RA
>markings. Also, I think that the current position of Polaris in the early
>evenings causes some error because of its position with respect to the
>Meridian (North). I would like that membership of Mapug advise about their
>experience with regard to the equatorial wedge. To save money I have been
>trying to use the standard wedge.. Now I am wondering if this lighter wedge
>is inadequate and I made a mistake. Should I plan to get the Super-Wedge?
>> >Please give your advice, as I am going in circles. Thanks, Ettore
>>
>>
>>

--
Ivor Barker
AIM - rekrabrovi
10" LX 200, ST-237, MX7C
37 08 24 N
121 36 25 W
http://www.employees.org/~ibarker/Astronomy

View index by [date] [author] [subject]
Previous message: Re: [M]: LX200 alignment, Email address hidden
Next message: Re: [M]: LX200 alignment, Ettore Zuccarino
Next message in thread: Re: [M]: LX200 alignment, Ettore Zuccarino
Previous message in thread: Re: [M]: LX200 alignment, Email address hidden