Sossusvlei Desert Lodge Astronomy Schedule

The schedule for the astronomy program run at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia.

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Very Important Notice Regarding the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge LX200R Telescope

From Prof George Tucker

To be read by anyone going to be operating the telescope, before they begin using it

As of April 20, 2011 the motorized (electronic) focuser has been replaced by a Zhumell dual-speed manual focuser.  If you are going to use the telescope with this focuser in place, then you must be aware of the following:

1. The manual focuser is longer than the electronic one.  Because of this the diagonal will hit the base when the telescope is pointed near the vertical.
2. To avoid damaging the telescope, a maximum angle limit has been set in the controller.  The telescope will not perform a goto on an object above 80 degrees above horizontal.  If an object you want to observe is near the zenith, plan to observe it at an earlier or later time.
3. While the telescope will not do a goto greater than 80 degrees, it possible to use the arrow keys to move it above 80 degrees.  If you do this and the diagonal hits the base, damage may occur.  When the telescope is near the zenith, only use the arrow keys to move it while carefully observing the diagonal so no contact occurs.
4. When storing the telescope for the night, carefully tilt the telescope up until the diagonal is just above the base and then tighten the declination knob.  The telescope will be near vertical and the covers will still easily cover it.

Should you wish to remove the manual focuser and use the electronic one, the manual one simply unscrews.  Directions for installing the electronic focuser can be found on pages 13-14 of the instruction manual.  The electronic focuser is stored in the top drawer.  Please place the manual focuser in a box and put it in one of the drawers.

The thumb screw on the bottom locks the focuser.  The recessed allen (hex) screw in front of the thumb screw can be tightened to increase tension on the drawtube.  In the attached photo, focuser1, it is located in the hole to the lower left of the thumbscrew.  If the focuser slips when a heavy eyepiece is used, tightening this screw may fix the problem.

Loosening the thumbscrew on top (near the telescope, not near the eyepiece) allows the focuser to be rotated.  This allows repositioning the eyepiece without loosening the screws holding the diagonal and rotating it.

If using an eyepiece or camera that will not reach focus using the Zhumell focuser, adjust the Zhumell focuser to the middle of its travel, unlock the Meade focus lock knob, and adjust the Meade focuser knob until focus is reached.  Then lock the Meade focuser knob in its new position by retightening the focus lock knob.