Instruction Manual With AudioStar
WARNING! Never use a Meade® ETX 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 at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope or Red Dot Finder as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing.
CONTENTS Introduction The ETX Observer Telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Getting Started Assembling and Using the ETX Telescope Assembling the Tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Mounting the Telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Installing the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Secure Vertical and Horizontal Locks . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Attaching Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION The ETX Observer Telescope An advanced, computer-controlled telescope system Congratulations on receiving your new ETX Observer telescope! You’ll find that this telescope system has all you need to explore the Universe we live in. Meade’s concept was to create a telescope that would be simple enough for anyone to use, yet capable enough for the experienced amateur to stretch their knowledge and skills.
You may want to perform the ETX telescope assembly indoors in the light so that you become familiar with the parts and operation before moving the telescope outside into the dark for observing. Just follow the simple steps below and you will be up and running before you know it. It is best to set up the telescope in twilight or before sunset the first time you use it. Take the telescope and tripod outside. Set the telescope in a large open area where you can see lots of sky.
GETTING STARTED Lock knob until the bolts fit into the hole bays. Then, reach under the tripod base and tighten the bolts to a firm feel. ETX 90 USERS ONLY: On the tripod, loosen the latitude control knob and lift up the tilt-plate so that you can easily access the underside of the plate. Re-lock the latitude control knob, so the assembly doesn’t slip while you are attaching the telescope. ETX 90 USERS ONLY: Remove the end nut from the spreader shaft and slide the spreader in between the telescope legs.
CAUTION: Use care to install batteries as indicated by the battery compartment. Follow battery manufacturer’s precautions. Do not install batteries backwards or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batteries void your Meade warranty. Always remove the batteries if they will not be used for a long period of time.
GETTING STARTED Using the Red Dot Finder Because your telescope has so much magnification, its field of view is very small. This can make it hard to know exactly where your telescope is pointing by simply looking at it. To help you point the telescope quickly and accurately, the ETX has a 1X Red Dot Viewfinder. On/Off & Brightness Adjustment Using the ETX Observer. 10 Now remove the dust cover from the front of the telescope tube. Be careful not to touch the glass lens.
Adjusting the Red Dot Finder Now, without moving the telescope, adjust the indicated thumb screws until you have put the red dot on the object at which you were looking. It’s that simple. Now use the hand controller to put the laser dot on a new target. Check to see that the desired target is in the eyepiece and adjust the focus knob until the object is in focus. To automatically track and locate objects in the night sky, the ETX must first be aligned on the sky.
ALIGNING THE ETX Little Dipper Polaris Big Dipper Cassiopeia know the magnetic declination adjustment based on your location. However, Meade has simplified the alignment routine and AudioStar now allows you to point the telescope directly at your local magnetic North as a starting point for the alignment.
This section describes how to initialize AudioStar. Perform this procedure the first time you use AudioStar or after performing a RESET (see “RESET” page 33). 1. Verify that AudioStar is properly connected to your telescope. See “Getting Started” page 7. 2. Turn the telescope power switch to the ON position. The AudioStar beeps and the display screen is activated. Then AudioStar takes a few moments to start up the system. 3. “Press 0 to Align or Mode for Menu” displays.
ALIGNING THE ETX AudioStar automatically picks two stars from its database for the Easy Align procedure. During this procedure, AudioStar slews the telescope to a first alignment star. The user is asked to verify that the telescope is pointed at the chosen star and then prompted to center the star in the eyepiece. The process is repeated with a second star to complete the alignment. Note: Before aligning the telescope, first verify that “INITIALIZING AudioStar”, page 11, has been performed.
Go To Saturn After performing the Easy Alignment procedure, the motor drive begins operating and the telescope is aligned for a night of viewing. Objects in the eyepiece should maintain their position even though the Earth is rotating beneath the stars. 5. Press GO TO. “Saturn: Slewing...” displays and the telescope slews until it finds Saturn. You may need to use the Arrow keys to center Saturn precisely in the eyepiece.
ETX 80 KEY FEATURES 14 The ETX 80 Telescope - Key Features 5 6 8 9 7 4 10 3 11 12 2 1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Focus knob Rear photo port Eyepiece holder Eyepiece Red dot viewfinder Eyepiece holder thumbscrew Figure 5: ETX 80 Right Side 7. Red dot viewfinder thumbscrew 8. Optical tube 9. Dust cover (not visible) 10. Vertical lock knob 11. Fork arm 12.
13 5a. On/Off Switch 12a. Handbox (HBX) port 5b. Red dot finder 12b. Power LED adjustment knobs 14 19. Battery compartment 20. Horizontal setting circle 21. 2x flip-Barlow 12c. On/Off switch 12d. Auxiliary (AUX) port Figure 6: ETX 80 Left Side 12e. 9 volt Power port 15 (12v compatible) 17 ETX 80 KEY FEATURES 21 13. Vertical setting circle 14. 90° flip mirror 15. Front lens 16. OTA mounting thumbscrews(2) 17. Bubble level/compass 18.
ETX 80 KEY FEATURES 1. Focus knob: Moves the telescope’s front lens in a finely-controlled motion to achieve precise image focus. The ETX 80 telescope can be focused on objects from a distance of about 15 ft to infinity. Rotate the focus knob clockwise to focus on distant object. Meade makes a complete line of accessories to enable you to get the most fun and performance from your ETX telescope. No matter what you want to accomplish, we have the equipment to help you get there. 2.
14. 90 degree flip mirror: ETX telescopes include an internal mirror. With the flip-mirror control in the “up” position light is diverted to the eyepiece. With the flip-mirror control in the “down” position light proceeds straight out the photo port for photography. Note: The flip-mirror control is in the “up” position when the control is vertical (perpendicular to the telescope tube). To place the flip-mirror in the “down” position, turn the control until it is horizontal. 15.
ETX 90 KEY FEATURES The ETX 90 Telescope - Key Features 8 9 5 7 6 4 10 3 11 12 2 1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 18 Focus knob Rear photo port Eyepiece holder Eyepiece Red dot viewfinder Eyepiece holder thumbscrew Figure 12: ETX 90 Right Side 7. Red dot viewfinder thumbscrew 8. Optical tube 9. Dust cover (not visible) 10. Vertical lock knob 11. Fork arm 12.
7 13 19. Battery compartment 20. Horizontal setting circle 5a. On/Off Switch 12a. Handbox (HBX) port 5b. Red dot finder 12b. Power LED adjustment knobs 14 12c. On/Off switch 12d. Auxiliary (AUX) port Figure 13: ETX 90 Left Side 12e. 9 volt Power port (12v compatible) 17 ETX 90 KEY FEATURES 13. Vertical setting circle 14. 90° flip mirror 15. Front lens 16. OTA mounting thumbscrews(2) 17. Bubble level/compass 18.
ETX 90 KEY FEATURES 1. Focus knob: Moves the telescope’s primary mirror in a finely-controlled motion to achieve precise image focus. The ETX 90 telescope can be focused on objects from a distance of about 13 ft to infinity. Rotate the focus knob clockwise to focus on distant object. Meade makes a complete line of accessories to enable you to get the most fun and performance from your ETX telescope. No matter what you want to accomplish, we have the equipment to help you get there. 2.
holder in this compartment. See page 7 for more information. Replace the cover. 14. 90 degree flip mirror: ETX telescopes include an internal mirror. With the flip-mirror control in the “up” position light is diverted to the eyepiece. With the flip-mirror control in the “down” position light proceeds straight out the photo port for photography. CAUTION: Use care to install batteries as indicated by the battery compartment. Follow battery manufacturer’s precautions.
AUDIOSTAR HANDBOX The AudioStar Handbox 12 1 2 13 14 3 Figure 19b: The AudioStar - Back Detail 4 5 1. 2-Line LCD Display 6 2. ENTER Key 11 3. MODE Key 4. “GO TO” Key 7 10 9 8 5. Arrow Keys 6. Number Keys 7. Scroll Keys 8. Serial Port 9. Coil Cord 10. Coil Cord Port 11. "?" Key 12. Utility Light 13. Hook 14.
1 2-Line LCD Display: Provides an interface between AudioStar and the telescope. • Top line: Lists the primary category or menu item. • Bottom line: Contains a menu option or information about an object or subject, depending on which function is being performed. 2 MODE Key: Returns to the previous menu or data level in the AudioStar database until the top level, “Select Item” is reached. The MODE key is similar to the back key on a smart phone.
AUDIOSTAR HANDBOX Nine available speeds are: Number Key “1” = 1x (Guide) Number Key “2” = 2x Number Key “3” = 8x Number Key “4” = 16x Number Key “5” = 64x Number Key “6” = 0.50°/sec Number Key “7” = 1.0°/sec Number Key “8” = 1.5°/sec Number Key “9” = 4.0°/sec (Max) the other end into the coil cord port. 10 Coil Cord Port: Plug one end of the AudioStar coil cord into this port (pg. 22, Fig. 19a, 10) located at the bottom of the AudioStar handbox.
3. The Arrow keys are now activated. Press the Arrow keys (Pg. 22, Fig. 19a, 5) to slew (move) the telescope up, down, right, or left. 4. Press a Number key (Pg. 22, Fig. 19a, 6) to change the telescope’s slew speed. See Slew Speeds, on pg 24 for more information. such an effect on image quality. Observing in early morning hours, before the ground has built up internal heat, produces better viewing conditions than during late afternoon hours.
AUDIOSTAR OPERATION AudioStar Operation The Universe of AudioStar Press the MODE key to leave a level; e.g., the wrong menu option is chosen. Important Note: No matter how many levels into AudioStar are traveled, each press of the MODE key moves up a level, until the top level, “Select Item”, is reached. Once in the Select Item level, press MODE to return to the topmost level, “Select Item: Object”. AudioStar Navigation Exercise Fig.
8. Press MODE again to move up another level. This is the top level, “Select Item”. 9. Press MODE again to return to the starting point of “Select Item: Object”. Entering Data into AudioStar • To enter numbers and text: A) Use the Number keys, or B) Use the Arrow keys to scroll through numbers 0 - 9 and the alphabet. The Down Arrow key begins with the letter “A”; the Up Arrow key begins with digit “9”. • To move the cursor across the display: Use the Right or Left Arrow key (Pg. 22, Fig.
Solar System Mercury Etc. Moon Asteroids Comets Constellations Andromeda Etc. Deep Sky Named Object Galaxies Nebulae Messier Etc. Star Named SAO Catalog Double Variable Etc.
Solar System is a database of the eight planets (Earth is not included) in ascending orbits from the Sun, followed by the Moon, asteroids, and comets. • Constellation is a database of all 88 Northern and Southern Hemisphere constellations. When this menu option is chosen and a constellation name appears on the first line of the screen, press GO TO once to change the second line to the name of the brightest star in the constellation. Press GO TO a second time to slew the telescope to that star.
AUDIOSTAR MENU OPTIONS Sunrise and Sunset calculates the time that the Sun rises or sets on the current date. Moon rise and Moon set calculates the time that the Moon rises or sets on the current date. Moon Phases displays the date and time of the next New, 1st Quarter, Full and 3rd Quarter Moon. Meteor Showers provides information on upcoming meteor showers, such as the Perseids, the Leonids, etc. Also lists the dates of the showers and when they reach maximum.
• Suggest: AudioStar calculates and suggests the best eyepiece for viewing, based on the telescope and the object being viewed. •Suggest: Brightness Adj adjusts the brightness of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press ENTER. Contrast Adj adjusts the contrast of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press ENTER. Note: This feature is usually only required in very cold weather.
AUDIOSTAR MENU OPTIONS a value near 0, it takes longer for the tube to respond as you hold down an Arrow key and also slews the tube more slowly. Experiment with this option. Try changing the percent value until you get a “feel” for the Arrow keys that is comfortable for you. • Alt Percent: The Alt (Altitude) Percent operates identical to the Az Percent option (see above), but allows you to change the altitude backlash, i.e.
a stored site from and AudioStar software another AudioStar. – is sent to • Edit: Edits a selected site, including: the name, latitude, longitude, and time zone. Time Zone refers to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time zone shift. Users West of Greenwich, England use “-” hours, East of Greenwich use “+” hours. For the United States, look up the time zone shift in the table at left.
ADVANCED FEATURES Advanced AudioStar Features Adding Observing Sites If you plan to observe using AudioStar at different geographic locations, you can store up to six observation sites in AudioStar’s memory to help simplify your telescope setup. Perform these procedures using the Site options (Add, Select, Delete, Edit) of the Setup menu. 1. Using the Add option, choose a site on the list that is closest to your observing site and press ENTER so that the site is added to your observing sites list.
12. Using the Arrow keys, scroll to “Site: Select”. The site you have just edited displays. Press ENTER to select the site or press MODE to exit. Using AudioStar 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 AudioStar 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).
ADVANCED FEATURES Observing Satellites In this procedure, you will prepare your telescope to observe a satellite pass. 1. Navigate to the “Object: Satellite” menu option and press ENTER. 2. Use the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of satellites. 3. Select a satellite from list and press ENTER. 4. “Calculating...” and then “Tracking...” displays. If the satellite is going to make a pass, “Located” displays. 5.
Tour Modes The objects chosen for a tour list are selected from AudioStar’s database or by entering the object’s R.A. and Dec. coordinates. The tour is presented in one of two modes: Automatic Mode: The title of an object appears on first line and descriptive text scrolls on line 2. Interactive Mode: Tour name appears on the first line of the AudioStar display and the name of the object displays on line 2. To display descriptive text in this mode, the user must press ENTER.
ADVANCED FEATURES USER ra dec “title string” “description string” This command line allows you to access a specific object with your own description. Enter USER, then the R.A. and DEC. of a desired object, and its title and description. Use the format described in the Command Line section. The following commands specify objects that are already in the AudioStar database. If these commands follow the command AUTO SELECT, the object’s title displays on line 1 and its description scrolls across line 2.
AUTO SELECT TEXT “Globular Cluster” “Globular clusters are huge balls of stars”. “They contain 50,000 to 100,000 stars and are located on the fringes of our “galaxy”. DEEP SKY “name” Enter DEEP SKY followed by the name of the desired object in quotes. For example: DEEP SKY “Small Magellanic Cloud” CONSTELLATION “name” Enter CONSTELLATION followed by the name of the desired constellation in quotes.
ADVANCED FEATURES examines the programming. If it doesn’t understand the terminology used within a tour, it flags questionable areas and displays them in a pop-up window on your computer screen. Make the necessary corrections and try to download again. See the instruction sheet with your #505 Cable Connector Kit for more information about downloading data to and interfacing with AudioStar. Landmarks This menu option allows you to define and store terrestrial objects in the Landmark database.
3. Press MODE to pause the Survey. Press Enter to restart the survey at the first object of the survey. To check on the available amount of memory in AudioStar. AudioStar has a limited amount of memory. Once you begin to store Landmarks, User Objects and other bits of information in AudioStar, you will begin to use up memory. This procedure allows you to check on how much memory is still available. 1. Navigate to the “Setup: Statistics” menu option and press ENTER. 2. “Statistics: 97.4K Char.
ADVANCED FEATURES Advanced Alt/Az Alignment If you would rather choose your own alignment stars from the AudioStar database during the Alt/Az alignment procedure, AudioStar offers two methods described below. Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment Two-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky. AudioStar provides a database of bright stars and two stars from this database are chosen by the observer for alignment. 1. Turn the telescope on: Turn the telescope power switch to the ON position.
6. Telescope Model: AudioStar then asks for the Telescope Model. Using the scroll keys (Pg. 22, Fig. 19a, 7) on the AudioStar locate the model of your telescope and press enter. 7. The ETX 90 is equipped with an internal time chip and will know the correct time and date right out of the box. However, if you need to change these values they are found in the setup menu. See page 31 for more information. 8. With “Align: Easy” displayed, use the Scroll Keys to display “Align: Two Star”. Press Enter. 9.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES Meade makes a complete line of accessories to enable you to get the most fun and performance from your ETX Series telescope. No matter what you want to accomplish, we have the equipment to help you get there. Choosing Eyepieces A telescope’s eyepiece magnifies the image formed by the telescope’s main optics. Each eyepiece has a focal length, expressed in millimeters, or “mm.” The smaller the focal length, the higher the magnification.
While the ETX will operate with 6 “AA” cell batteries, several alternative power options are available. #546 AC Adapter (07576). This adapter supplies 12 volt DC from a standard 115 volt AC household supply. Connects via the 9v connector in the battery compartment. Meade #607 DC Power Cord w/Cigarette Lighter Adapter (#07043) Lets you power the ETX Observer from a car cigarette lighter style power socket.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES #932 or #933 45° Erecting Prism. All ETX models include an internal optically-flat mirror to reflect light to the telescope’s 90° astronomical observing position. In this position the telescope’s image is upright, but reversed. For terrestrial observing with an ETX model, the 45° Erecting Prism correctly orients the eyepiece image and provides a convenient observing angle. ETX 80 users will use the #933 45° Erecting Prism. ETX 90 users will use the #932 45° Erecting Prism.
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.
MAINTENANCE When transporting the telescope, take care not to bump or drop the instrument; this type of abuse can damage the optical tube and/or the objective lens and knock the optics out of alignment.
Verify the telescopes date, time, location, daylight savings time, and telescope model are correct. • Reset the telescope to the factory defaults. Go to Setup/Reset and press enter. • Adjust the AZ/RA Percent and/or Alt/DEC Percent values found in the Setup/Telescope menu. See page 31 & 32 "Az Percent" & "Alt Percent" for more information.
TRAINING THE DRIVE Perform this procedure if you are experiencing any pointing accuracy problems. Fig. 24 depicts the complete Drive Training procedure. NOTE: Use a far away terrestrial object, such as a telephone pole or lamp post, to train the drive. A high power reticle (cross hair) eyepiece is recommended. Complete this exercise once every 3 to 6 months, or when the AudioStar handbox has been reset to the factory defaults. Verify that AUTOSTAR INITIALIZATION is complete.
BASIC ASTRONOMY In the early 17th century Italian Scientist Galileo, using a crude telescope considerably smaller than the ETX 80, turned it to look towards the sky instead of distant trees and mountains. What he saw, and what he realized about what he saw, forever changed the way mankind thought of the universe.
BASIC ASTRONOMY to the “Object: Solar System” menu and scroll through the lists of planets. When a planet you are interested in displays, press “ENTER”. Use the Scroll keys to display information about the planet, such as the planet’s coordinates, and the rise and set times (Tip: enter a date in the Date menu and you can determine if a planet) will be visible during the night of the entered date by checking its rise and set times). Listed below are the best planets for viewing through the ETX 90.
SPECIFICATIONS Model and Product Number ETX 80 Observer Back Pack Telescope # 205002 Optical System Optical Design Achromatic Refractor Front Lens Diameter 3.15” (80mm) Front Lens Material Optical quality glass Focal Length, Focal Ratio 400mm, f/5 Optical Coatings Multi-Coated Resolving Power (arc-seconds) 1.6 arc-seconds Limiting Visual Stellar Magnitude 11.
SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS Model and Product Number ETX 90 Observer Portable Observatory # 205004 Optical System Optical Design Maksutov-Cassegrain Primary Mirror Diameter 3.5” (90mm) Primary Mirror Material Optical quality glass Focal Length, Focal Ratio 1250mm, f/13.8 Optical Coatings Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC™) Resolving Power (arc-seconds) 1.3 arc-seconds Limiting Visual Stellar Magnitude 11.
EQUATORIAL (POLAR) ALIGNMENT **FOR ETX 90 TELESCOPES ONLY** 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. In order to equatorial align your telescope, it is essential to have an understanding of how and where to locate celestial objects as they move across the sky.
EQUATORIAL ALIGNMENT Polar Mounting your Telescope with the #884 Deluxe Field Tripod As the Earth rotates on its axis, astronomical objects appear to move across the sky in an arc. This apparent motion is not obvious to the unaided eye, but when viewed through a telescope such as an ETX, this motion is rapid indeed. If the motor drive has not been engaged, celestial objects viewed in the telescope eyepiece drift entirely out of the field of view in 15 to 60 seconds, depending on the magnification employed.
North Celestial Pole + telescope motor drive will keep a celestial object in the telescope eyepiece’s field of view. Caution: Do not move the tripod or adjust the latitude setting while observing or the mounting alignment will be lost. The telescope’s motor drive disengages when the Horizontal and the Vertical lock levers are unlocked and re-engages when the levers are relocked.
EQUATORIAL ALIGNMENT stars and two stars from this database are chosen by the observer for alignment. First, choose “Polar” from the “Setup: Telescope: Mount” menu. The rest of the procedure is almost identical to the Alt/Az Two Star Alt/ Az Alignment, page 42. Note: The Dec. setting circle is located on the left arm of the telescope fork mount. The right arm of the mount contains a graduated circle (mounted behind the knurled knob of the vertical lock), without Dec. numbers.
4. To find another object, again identify the R.A. and Dec. coordinates. Then, without touching the setting circles, move the telescope (manually, by unlocking the vertical and horizontal locks or by slewing the telescope using the Arrow keys) so that the R.A. and Dec. pointers read the coordinates of the second object. 5. If the above procedure has been followed carefully, the second object will now be in the telescope’s field of view. EQUATORIAL ALIGNMENT 3. The R.A.
LATITUDE CHART APPENDIX E: LATITUDE CHART Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World To aid in the polar alignment procedure (see page 55), 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.
REFRACTOR OPTICAL SYSTEM (ETX 80) Front lens Eyepiece Incident Light Focal point Dew shield OPTICAL SYSTEMS APPENDIX F: Refracting Telescopes use a large objective lens as their primary light-collecting element. Meade ETX refractors include an achromatic (2-element) objective lenses in order to reduce, or virtually eliminate, the false color (chromatic aberration) that results in the telescopic image when light passes through a lens.
RECYCLING INFORMATION RECYCLING INFORMATION (EU Countries only) Correct Disposal of this Product (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) This marking shown on the product or its literature indicates that it must not be disposed of in unsorted municipal waste at the end of its working life To prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from uncontrolled waste disposal, please separate this from other types of wastes and recycle it as required by law.
Every Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corp. (“Meade”) to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase in the USA 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. This warranty applies to the original purchaser only and is non-transferable.
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