Takahashi EM-500 Temma-2Z Equatorial Mount

The state-of-the-art EM-500 Temma-2 mount has a tracking accuracy that is guaranteed to +/- 3.5 arc seconds without periodic error correction. The EM-500 Temma II slews at 560X the Sidereal rate @ 24v. The Temma-2 GoTo System can be operated via The Sky, Level IV software and is closed-loop. This means that the telescope can be moved manually without restarting the GoTo system. The mount can also be operated in manual (non-GoTo) mode without connecting to a computer and dual-axis tracking is available in this mode.

The self-contained illuminated polar finder is accurate to two arc minutes of the pole. Autoguider and CCD cables are available for most CCD cameras including serial, RJ-11, and USB connectors. Main gears are phosphor-bronze with matching moly-steel worms for greater accuracy and durability vs. aluminum & stainless steel. New, precision micro-stepping motors provide high durabilty with softer pulse-peaks for better imaging. No need for servos and variable-voltage systems that reduce longevity.

The fully integrated motor drives ensures a reliable and precise control of tracking and slewing speeds for astrophotographic or CCD guiding. The electronic control panel allows speed adjustments of slewing corrections by increment of 0.1x sidereal rate on both axes. A connector is available for autoguiding (SBIG compatible) as well as a RS-232 serial port
The tracking accuracy is announced with an error of ± 3.5 arcsecond per turn of 10 minutes worm gear shaft (without guiding system).

The mount is delivered with the same handbox that equips other Takahashi mounts. It is provided with R.A. and DEC. rotation reversers as well as a switch for slow (green LED) and fast 100x (red LED) speeds.

The EM-500 EQ mount is equipped with Temma-2 goto system. An automatic pointing of the celestial objects is possible when the mount is connected with a computer (with a serial cable, provided). The Pegasus 21 computer control software is provided too. The Temma-2 system is compatible with a large range of astronomical softwares (TheSky6 or Starry Night, for instance).

The EM-500 polar finder is equipped with a ring level which makes it possible to quickly calibrate the polar alignment reticle. The polar alignment is made by the means of a large altitude screw and with 2 azimuth screws. Once the Polaris position has been exactly determined (with graph or software), then the polar alignment takes only a few seconds, as it takes on smaller mounts.

The Temma-2 system includes two encoders located at the end of each axis and connected to the control panel by two cables.

Specifications:

Type:  German type, RA/DEC Motor Driven System Built-In
R.A. Slow Motion:  Electric
DEC Slow Motion:  Electric
Self-contained illuminated polar finder:  Accurate to two arc minutes of the pole
Operation:  12V/24v
Slewing speed:     520x sidereal @ 24v
Input Terminal:     For Auto Guider (ST-4)
Loading Capacity:     40kg.(89lbs.) but it can reasonably handle 120lbs.
Tracking Accuracy:     +/-3.5"
Operational software:  The Sky, Level IV software and is closed-loop