Instruction Manual ETX-90AT Astro Telescope ETX-105AT Astro Telescope ETX-125AT Astro Telescope
CONTENTS WARNING! Never use a Meade ETX Astro Telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye damage is often painless, so there is no warning to the observer that damage has occurred until it is too late. Do not point the telescope or its viewfinder at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope or its viewfinder as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing.
QUICK-START GUIDE This Quick Start Guide demonstrates how to install the batteries and eyepiece, and how to observe using the Autostar Arrow keys. If you wish to try out Autostar’s “Go To” capabilities, check out the list of page references at the bottom of the following page. 2 B B H A ® Remove the ETX telescope from its packaging and place it on a sturdy surface. Place the ETX on its side and remove the battery compartment cover (A) from the underside of the drive base.
Enter Key L K Scroll Up Key Scroll Down Key Keep pressing the ENTER key until "Country/State" appears on the display. (Ignore the prompts requesting "Date" and "Time" for now – these functions will be explained later). Make sure that the flip mirror control (K) is in the “Up” position, as shown the diagram above. When “Country/States” displays, press either one of the SCROLL KEYS to cycle through the choices on the list. When your state or country appears on the list, press ENTER. “Cities” displays.
TELESCOPE FEATURES 18 1 2 4 3 5 Features of the ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, and ETX-125AT are identical, with the exception of the size of optical tube and the type of viewfinder. 17 19 16 6 (on left fork arm) 15 7 14 8 13 11 9 10 12 Fig. 1: The ETX-90AT Telescope. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 Eyepiece Viewfinder Holder Thumbscrew 90° Eyepiece Holder Optical Tube Vertical Lock Fork Arms Focus Knob Horizontal Lock Computer Control Panel A. ON/OFF Switch B. Auxiliary Ports (2) C. Handbox Port D. 12v E.
MEADE ETX: YOUR PERSONAL WINDOW TO THE UNIVERSE Caution: Using products other than standard Meade accessories may cause damage to the telescope’s internal electronics and may void the Meade warranty. B Want to learn more The Meade ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT and the ETX-125AT are extremely versatile, highresolution telescopes.
Definitions Throughout this manual, you will notice the terms "Alt/Az," "Right Ascension," and "Declination." Alt/Az or more properly, altazimuth, is frequently used to refer to altitude or Declination (the up-and-down vertical movement of the telescope) and azimuth or Right Ascension (the side-to-side horizontal movement of the telescope). Right Ascension is abbreviated as "R.A." and Declination as "Dec." j Horizontal Lock: Controls the manual horizontal rotation of the telescope.
AUTOSTAR FEATURES 1 2 L 4 3 5 1 LCD Display 2 ENTER Key 6 7 3 MODE Key 4 GO TO Key K 8 9 J 5 Arrow Keys 6 Number Keys 7 Scroll Keys 8 Speed/? Key 9 Coil Cord 10 RS232 Port 11 Light key 12 Utility Light Fig. 4: The Autostar Handbox. Want to learn more about downloading the latest updates of Autostar software from the Meade website? See pages 29 and 43. Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Control of ETX Telescopes is through the operation of the standard-equipment #497 Autostar.
B c d e Want to learn more e about using the GO TO function? See page 20. Want to learn how to perform a spiral search? See page 20. f 2-Line LCD Display: This screen displays Autostar's menus and information about the telescope. • Top line: Lists the primary menu. • Bottom line: Displays other menus that may be chosen, menu options, telescope status or information about a function that is being performed. ENTER Key: Press to go to the next menu level or to choose an option in a menu.
i ? Key: Press to access the "Help" file. "Help" provides on-screen information on how to accomplish whatever task is currently active. Press the ? key and then follow the prompts on the display to access details of Autostar functions in the Help feature. The Help system is essentially an on-screen instruction manual. If you have a question about an Autostar operation, e.g., INITIALIZATION, ALIGNMENT, etc., press the ? key and follow the directions that scroll on the second line.
GETTING STARTED Parts Listing Getting the telescope ready for first observations requires only a few minutes. When first opening the packing box, note carefully the following parts: • • • • Cover • Batteries The ETX Astro Telescope with fork mount system. #497 Autostar handbox with coil cord. One or more eyepieces, packed in plastic storage containers. Hex-wrench, packed with the instruction manual. See MAINTENANCE, page 45.
L M 6 5 N O Fig. 10: Loosen control latch . 7 8 Fig. 15: Insert eyepiece. 4. 5. 9 Fig. 11: High latitude leg mounting hole and corresponding attachment knob. 6. Fig. 16: Tighten vertical lock. Fig. 17: Tighten horizontal lock. Place the 26mm eyepiece (12, Fig. 15) into the eyepiece holder on the telescope and tighten the attachment thumbscrew (13, Fig. 15) to a "firm feel" only. Make sure that the flip-mirror control (14, Fig. 15) is in the “up” position, as shown in the above photo.
Focusing the Viewfinder 1 2 The ETX model viewfinders are pre-focused at the factory. Individual eye variations may require that the viewfinder be re-focused. To check the focus, point the viewfinder at a distant terrestrial (land) object such as a telephone pole or light pole and look through the viewfinder. If the viewfinder image is not in sharp focus, follow the procedure below that applies to your telescope model. 4 5 3 Fig.
Choosing an Eyepiece The magnification or power, at which a telescope is operating is determined by two factors: the focal length of the telescope and the focal length of the eyepiece. Telescope Focal Length is the distance that light travels inside the telescope before reaching a focus. In the mirror-lens design of the ETX models, the focal length is compressed by the telescope’s secondary mirror, so that a long focal length is housed in the short ETX optical tube.
OBSERVING Observing by Moving the Telescope Manually Note: Viewing conditions vary widely from night-to-night and site-to-site. Turbulence in the air, even on an apparently clear night, can distort images. Low-power eyepieces, such as the 26mm supplied with your telescope, are better suited to resolving images in poor viewing conditions. If you wish to observe a distant land object, such as a mountain top or a bird, you can observe by merely pointing the telescope and looking through the eyepiece. 1.
Slew Speeds Autostar has nine slew speeds that move the optical tube at rates that are directly proportional to the sidereal rate and have been calculated to accomplish specific functions. Press the Number key to change the slew speed. The nine available speeds are: Number Key 1 = 1x = 1 x sidereal (0.25 arc-min/sec or 0.004°/sec) Number Key 2 = 2x = 2 x sidereal (0.5 arc-min/sec or 0.008°/sec) Number Key 3 = 8x = 8 x sidereal (2 arc-min/sec or 0.
Initializing Autostar Definition: Initialization is a procedure that makes sure that Autostar operates correctly. When you first use Autostar, it doesn't yet know where the observation location site is or the time or date of the observation session. During the alignment procedure, you will enter time, date and observing location Autostar Uses this information to precisely calculate the location of celestial objects (such as stars and planets) and to move your telescope correctly for various operations.
Important Note: Before aligning the telescope, you MUST first initialize Autostar, as described in INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page 18. See MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR’S MENUS, page 17, for a description of how Autostar’s keys operate. How to perform the Easy Align Procedure If you have just performed the initialization procedure, go to step 6. 1. Sun Warning: Press the key prompted by Autostar to accept. 2. Getting Started: Press ENTER to continue. 3. Enter Date: Enter the current date, then press ENTER. 4.
Important Note: While performing the automatic tracking procedure, only use the Arrow keys to move the telescope. Once the telescope has been aligned, do not loosen the telescope’s vertical or horizontal locks (6 and 9, Fig. 1) or move the base manually or alignment will be lost. When the procedure is performed correctly, "Alignment Successful" displays. If Autostar does not display this message, perform this procedure again.
Using the Guided Tour This example demonstrates using “Tonight’s Best” Guided Tour. Tip: Try out the Guided Tour feature; the “Tonight’s Best” Guided Tour will point your telescope at the best objects visible in the sky for every given night of the year. The objects in this tour may change from night to night and month to month. 1. After observing Saturn, press MODE twice so that “Select Item: Object” displays again. 2. Press the Scroll Down key twice. “Select Item: Guided Tour” displays. 3.
AUTOSTAR OPERATION SETUP MENU Automatic alignment permits all telescope operations with only minimal setup. Select Item: Object Select Item: Setup UTILITIES MENU Calculate eyepiece magnifications; set timer alerts; create your own landmark survey. The Universe of Autostar A utostar uto star Select Item: Utilities GLOSSARY What is an elliptical galaxy? How far away is the Sun? Expand your knowledge of astronomy by displaying terms and definitions, and other information.
3. Press the ENTER key to choose the "Event" option and move down a level. "Event: Sunrise" is displayed. 4. Press the Scroll Down key once to display the "Sunset" option in the Event menu. 5. Press the ENTER key to choose the "Sunset" option and move down another level. 6. Autostar calculates the Sunset time based on the current date, time and location. Autostar then displays the results of the calculation. 7. Press MODE once to start moving back up through the Autostar levels.
Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset Moon Phases Next Full Moon Next New Moon Next 1st Qtr Next 3rd Qtr Meteor Showers Quadrantids Lyrids Eta Aquarids Delta Aquarids Perseids Orionids Taurids Leonids Geminids Ursids Solar Eclipses Lunar Eclipses Min. of Algol Autumn Equinox Vernal Equinox Winter Solstice Summer Solstice Select Item: Event Figure 27: The Complete Autostar Menu Tree Structure. Solar System Mercury Etc. Moon Asteroids Comets Constellations Andromeda Etc.
Use the OBJECT menu to select an object from the database. When your telescope is aligned and you select an object from any of these lists, you just need to press the GO TO key to move the telescope so that it is pointed at the selected object. Object Menu Almost all observing with Autostar is performed using the Object menu category. (The two exceptions are the Guided Tours and Landmark Survey.) See GO TO SATURN, page 20, for an example of observing using the Object menu.
1. Want to learn more about using the Browse menu? See page 39. Use the Event menu to look up dates of various astronomical events, such as sunrises and sunsets, eclipses, moon phases, meteor showers, equinoxes and solstices... ...and not just for the current date. Set any date, past or future, when initializing Autostar and you can check the time for other events. WARNING! Never use your ETX Telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye.
Glossary menu or through hypertext words embedded in Autostar. A hypertext word is any word in [brackets], usually found when using the Autostar Help function or when reading a scrolling message such as a description of a planet or star. Press ENTER whenever a hypertext word is on screen and Autostar goes to the glossary entry for that word. To access directly from the Glossary menu, use the Scroll keys to scroll through the alphabet. Press ENTER on the desired letter.
Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts down Autostar and the telescope without forgetting its alignment. With "Sleep Scope" selected, press ENTER to activate the Sleep function. Autostar goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running. Press any key, except ENTER, to re-activate Autostar and the telescope. Park Scope is designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope.
■ Tracking Rate: Changes the speed at which the telescope tracks targets in the sky. a. ■ ■ Reverse UP/DOWN: Reverses the functions of the Up and Down Arrow keys (i.e., the Up key moves the telescope down). ■ Quiet Slew: Sets the maximum slew rate to 1.5° for quieter operation. ■ Max Elevation: Allows you to enter a value in degrees that sets a limit as to how far the optical tube can swing upward during a programmed slew.
Owner Info accesses the owner information menu, including: ■ Name: Users may enter both their first and last names using the Up and Down Arrow keys to cycle through the alphabet. Use the Right and Left Arrow keys to move through the text. Press ENTER when the entry is complete. ■ Note: The Download function requires the optional #505 Astrofinder Software and Cable Connector Kit. See the instruction sheet included with the kit for more information on how to download. Also see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 43.
ADVANCED AUTOSTAR OPERATION Before trying out the examples in this section, familiarize yourself with the basic operations of Autostar described earlier in this manual. The following examples assume that you have a basic knowledge of Autostar and understand how to scroll to a desired menu or menu option and how to enter numbers and text. It also assumes that you have initialized Autostar and have placed the telescope in the "Home" position (when appropriate).
Using Autostar to Find Objects Not in the Database In this procedure, you will enter coordinates of celestial objects that do not appear in any of the Autostar database lists. You will enter the object's name and R.A. and Dec. coordinates (required information). You may also enter the object's magnitude and size (optional information). Although Autostar contains an extensive database of celestial objects (stars, nebulae, planets, etc.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Select a satellite from list and press ENTER. "Calculating...." and then "Tracking..." displays. If the satellite is going to make a pass, "Located" displays. Use the Scroll keys to display data about the pass: aos – acquisition of signal and los – loss of signal. If you subtract the aos from the los, you can calculate how long the satellite will be visible. Location information also displays. "Alarm" displays after the location information.
Interactive Mode: Tour name appears on the first line of the Autostar display and the name of the object displays on line 2. To display descriptive text in this mode, the user must press ENTER. Comment Line Information in the Tour program that is not displayed, such as authorship, revision history, copyrights, etc. All comments begin with a "/" character in column 1 of the line.
The following commands specify objects that are already in the Autostar database. If these commands follow the command AUTO SELECT, the object's title displays on line 1 and its description scrolls across line 2. Do not add a description string after the following command lines; these commands access objects with existing description in the Autostar database.
STAR "name" Enter STAR followed by the name of the desired star in quotes. For example: STAR "Vega" LANDMARK az alt "title" "description" Enter the azimuth (az) for the desired object in the following format: xxxdxxmxxs. For example: 123d27m00s. Then enter the altitude of the desired object in the following format: xxdxxmxxs. Then enter the title string and description string in quotes.
To Add a landmark to the database: In this procedure, you will store the location of terrestrial landmarks in Autostar's memory. 1. Set the telescope in the home position, if necessary. Note for future reference where the telescope is located and if you have aligned the telescope, which alignment method is used. Important Note: To use the Landmark function, the telescope must be located and aligned exactly as when the landmark(s) was added to the database. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
plays information about an object in its database that is closest to the one you queried about. IMPORTANT NOTE: For this function to operate properly, you must first set the telescope in the home position and initialize Autostar. If you physically move the telescope after initialization, this function will fail to operate properly.
Browse This menu allows you to search the database for objects with certain parameters, much like a search engine. The "Edit Parameters" option lets you set various parameters for the search and "Start Search" activates the search. A typical search might be performed as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Select "Browse" from the Object menu. Press ENTER. "Browse: Start Search" displays. Press one of the Scroll Keys and "Browse: Edit Parameters" displays. Press ENTER.
PHOTOGRAPHY 7 2 6 4 1 3 5 Fig. 28: Example of photography through the ETX using the #64 T-Adapter: (1) Short section of #64 T-Adapter; (2) Extension section of #64 T-Adapter; (3) Knurled attachment ring; (4) T-mount; (5) Flip-mirror control in “down” position; (6) 35mm camera body; (7) Format 1. Fig. 29a: Flip mirror control in the “up” position. Fig. 29b: Flip mirror control in the “down” position. Fig. 30: Example of a format 1 photo.
Photography through a long lens, such as the ETX, requires special technique for good results. The photographer should expect to use several rolls film in acquiring this technique. Long-lens photography has its own rewards, however, which short-focus lenses cannot duplicate. A Few Tips on Photography 1.Use the standard tripod or the optional table tripod ( see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 43) as a platform for the telescope.
• • • • • • • • • • If the camera is not directly coupled to the eyepiece, keep it as close to the eyepiece as possible and center the image to be photographed to minimize vignetting (darkening of the edges of the photo). Try to block ambient light (from street lights, house, etc.) from the eyepiece and the camera with a piece of cardboard, a screen, etc. Keep extra (charged) batteries on hand for your camera as digital cameras often drain batteries in a short period of time.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES A wide assortment of professional Meade accessories are available for the for ETX telescopes. Meade accessories greatly extend many important applications to the telescope, from low-power, wide-field terrestrial viewing to high-power lunar and planetary observing. The premium quality of these accessories is well-suited to the quality of the instrument itself.
#64 T-Adapter: The basic means of photography through any ETX Astro telescope, the #64 T-Adapter threads to the rear cell of the telescope, followed by a T-Mount appropriate to the user’s brand of 35mm camera. In this way, the camera body is rigidly coupled to the telescope's optical system, which in effect becomes the camera's lens (see PHOTOGRAPHY, page 40). Fig. 37: The #932 45° Erecting Prism. Fig. 38: #774 Hard Carrying Case shown with an ETX-90AT. Fig. 39: The #765 Soft Carry Bag for the ETX-90AT.
MAINTENANCE Your ETX model telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding observations. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, the telescope will rarely require factory servicing or maintenance. Use the following guidelines: 1. Avoid cleaning the telescope’s optics: a little dust on the front surface of the telescope’s correcting lens causes virtually no degradation of image quality and should not be considered reason to clean the lens. 2.
Storage and Transport When the telescope is not in use, store it in a cool, dry place. Do not expose the instrument to excessive heat or moisture. It is best to store the telescope in its original box with the vertical and horizontal locks (6 and 9, Fig. 1) in the unlocked positions. If shipping the telescope, use the original box and packing material to protect the telescope during shipment.
Object appears in the viewfinder but not in the eyepiece: • The viewfinder is not properly aligned with the telescope (see ALIGNING THE VIEWFINDER, page 14). Slew speed does not change when you press the SPEED key or the telescope moves slowly even though the fast slew speed is chosen: • The battery power may be low (see HOW TO ASSEMBLE, page 12). Telescope does not track a celestial object: • Make sure that the telescope is correctly aligned. See EASY (TWO-STAR) ALIGN, page 18, for more information.
SPECIFICATIONS Specifications: ETX-90AT Astro Telescope Optical design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maksutov-Cassegrain Primary mirror diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96mm (3.78”) Clear aperture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90mm (3.5”) Focal length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1250mm Focal ratio (photographic speed). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . f/13.8 Near focus (approx) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bearings: Altitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ball bearings Azimuth . . . . PTFE thrust bearing and radial ball bearing Materials: Tube body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . aluminum Mounting . . . . . . ABS, with internal aluminum structure Primary mirror. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pyrex® glass Correcting lens . . . . . . . . . . . BK7 optical glass, Grade-A Telescope dimensions: . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Autostar Specifications Processor ............................................................................68HC11, 8MHz Flash Memory ............................................................1MB, reloadable Keypad ........................................................................20 key alphanumeric Display ........................................................................2 line, 16 character LCD Backlight......................................................................
APPENDIX A: EQUATORIAL (POLAR) ALIGNMENT Equatorial Alignment In equatorial (or "polar") Alignment, the telescope is oriented so that the horizontal and vertical axes of the telescope are lined up with the celestial coordinate system. Important Note: The "Telescope: Mount" option of the Setup menu is set to "Alt/Az" as the default mount by the factory. If the telescope is equatorially mounted, you must choose the "Polar" option from the Autostar "Telescope: Mount" menu.
However, owners who wish to perform astrophotography or use the Meade LPI (see PHOTOGRAPHY WITH MEADE’S AUTOSTAR SUITE, page 42, for more information) will find equatorial mounting indispensible to their needs. 2 Equatorial Mount Equatorial mounting lines up the telescope’s polar axis with the North Celestial Pole (or the South Celestial Pole if observing in the southern hemisphere).
D A Fig. 46: Set latitude. + North Celestial Pole D E Fig. 47: Example of Polar Alignment. Note that the face of the tilt-plate points North. + North Celestial Pole 5. Press ENTER repeatedly until “Setup: Align” displays. 6. Press the Scroll Down key repeatedly until "Setup: Telescope" displays. Press ENTER. “Telescope: Telescope Model” displays. 7. Press the Scroll Down key repeatedly until "Telescope: Mount" displays. Press ENTER. “Scope Mounting: Alt/az” displays. 8.
Little Dipper Setting Circles The ETX models are equipped with R.A. and Dec. setting circles (13 and 16, Fig. 1) to aid in locating faint celestial objects when the telescope has been polar aligned. Setting circles emulate the celestial coordinates found on star charts or in sky catalogs. Any charted object is easily located by coordinates in R.A. (in hours, minutes and seconds, from 0h 0m 0s to 23h 59m 59s) and Dec. (in degrees from 0° to ±90°).
APPENDIX B: LATITUDE CHART Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World To aid in the polar alignment procedure (see page 52), latitudes of major cities around the world are listed below. To determine the latitude of an observing site not listed on the chart, locate the city closest to your site. Then follow the procedure below: Northern hemisphere observers (N): If the site is over 70 miles (110 km) North of the listed city, add one degree for every 70 miles.
APPENDIX C: TRAINING THE DRIVE Train the telescope motors using Autostar. Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any pointing accuracy problems. Fig. 52 depicts the complete Drive Training procedure. Note: Use a terrestrial object, such as a telephone pole or lamp post, to train the drive. Complete this exercise once every 3 to 6 months to maintain the highest level of telescope pointing accuracy. ETX TIPS 1 2 Verify that AUTOSTAR INITIALIZATION is complete.
APPENDIX D:BASIC ASTRONOMY In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a telescope smaller than your ETX, turned it skyward instead of looking at the distant trees and mountains. What he saw and what he realized about what he saw, has forever changed the way mankind thinks about the universe.
Tip: Enter a date in the Date menu and you can determine if a planet(s)— or any other object in the database—will be visible during the night of the entered date. After entering a new date, go to the Object menu and select the desired planet from the menu. Then keep pressing one of the Scroll keys until the rise and set times display. Press MODE to exit. Fig. 54: The planet Jupiter. Jupiter's four largest moons can be observed in a different position every night.
MEADE LIMITED WARRANTY Every Meade telescope, spotting scope and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corporation (“Meade”) to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase in the U.S.A. and Canada. Meade will repair or replace a product or part thereof, found by Meade to be defective, provided the defective part is returned to Meade, freight-prepaid, with proof of purchase.
