How can I convert my Schmidt-Cassegrain into a Go-To system?
BBC Sky at Night Magazine's Scope Doctor Steve Richards solves your practical astronomy ailments.
I have a Meade LX10 telescope tube. Is it possible to attach this to a Sky-Watcher HEQ5 mount to make a Go-To system?
Steve says: "The Meade LX10 is a fork-mounted Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT) with an 8-inch aperture. Although motorised, the LX10 fork mount doesn’t have Go-To slewing features.
You can do this conversion by first taking the telescope off the fork mount. Remove the three mounting screws on each side, which hold the mounting plates for the fork arms, and then very carefully slide the tube out.
You then have the choice of either installing a Vixen-style dovetail bar and radius blocks on the telescope tube, or using tube rings and a dovetail bar.
Although the finished appearance may be superior, the radius blocks are a much riskier proposition as the tube would need to be drilled and tapped and we really wouldn’t recommend this.
The LX10’s optics are pretty good and if your existing telescope is in good condition you can obtain a set of oversized tube rings and apply some packing foam or felt (as pictured) to suit."
Email your astronomy queries to Steve at scopedoctor@skyatnightmagazine.com and they could get answered in a future issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
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