Meade ETX-105EC - Manuals

- 7 - Computer Control Panel A. ON / OFF Switch - Turns the Computer Control Panel and Electronic Controller ON or OFF . Note: Always remove the batteries if they are not to be used for a long period of time. B. Auxiliary (AUX) Ports (2) - Provide connection for current and future Meade accessories,...

Electronic Controller Functions Fig. 3: Electronic Controller. (1) Arrow Keys; (2) IndicatorLights; (3) SPEED Key; (4) Coil Cord; (5) MODE Key; (6) OUT Key; (7) IN Key. Fast Medium Moderate Slow Indicator Light KeyThe procedures in this manualidentify the status of the fourindicator lights as depict...

- 9 - GETTING STARTED Parts List ETX telescopes are assembled virtuallycomplete at the Meade factory. Getting thetelescope ready for first observationsrequires only a few minutes. When firstopening the packing box, note carefully thefollowing parts: • The ETX Astro Telescope with fork- mount system....

- 10 - Using The Viewfinder As with most astronomical telescopes,the ETX model telescopes present afairly narrow field of view to the observer.As a result it is sometimes difficult tolocate and center objects in thetelescope’s field of view. The viewfinder,by contrast, is a low-power, wide-fieldsigh...

- 11 - 2. Point the main telescope at some easy-to-find, well-defined land object,such as the top of a telephone pole.Center the object, as precisely aspossible, in the SP 26mm eyepiece'sfield of view, then tighten the verticaland horizontal locks (6 and 9, Fig. 1)so that the tube cannot move and th...

- 12 - Understanding Magnification The magnification, or power, at which a telescope is operating is determined by two factors: the focal lengthof the telescope and the focal length of the eyepiece employed. Telescope Focal Length is the distance that light travels inside the telescope before reachi...

- 13 - morning hours, before the ground hasbuilt up internal heat, results in betterviewing conditions than during the late-afternoon hours. If you wish to observe a distant landobject, such as a mountain top or a bird,you can observe by merely pointing thetelescope and looking through theeyepiece. ...

- 14 - Light 1 (top LED): The fastest speed. Use to move the telescope quickly from one point in the sky toanother. Light 2: Best for centering an object in the viewfinder. Light 3: Best for centering an object in the field of a low-to-moderate power eyepiece, such as the standardSP 26mm. Light 4: T...

- 15 - applications and for casual astronomical observation. The telescope may be placed on a rigid tabletop oron the optional Meade #883 Deluxe Field Tripod (see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES , page 20) to provide a secure, variable-height, altazimuth observing platform. To manually track objects with the t...

- 16 - configuration the observer does not need to press the Arrow keys of the Electronic Controller in order totrack celestial objects. However, the Arrow keys of the Electronic Controller are useful in this configurationto enable the centering of objects within the telescopic field or, for example...

- 17 - There are two mounting methods available to polaralign the telescope depending on whether you use theoptional #883 Deluxe Field Tripod or a table tripod(specific to your model of ETX telescope). To polar align using the #883 Deluxe Field Tripod (Fig.17), follow the instructions provided with ...

- 18 - and horizontal locks. In thisorientation the telescope’s opticaltube is lined up parallel to thetripod’s adjustable leg. 8. Note the line and arrow extending from the telescope tube in Fig. 16.This line defines the telescope’spolar axis. Lift the entire telescope,including tripod, and place t...

- 19 - Format 2 utilizes both sections of the#64 T-Adapter threaded together toform a rigid unit. In this configurationthere is no field vignetting: images areilluminated to the edges of a standard35mm frame (see Fig. 20). To frame an object in the viewfinder ofthe 35mm camera body, slightlyloosen t...

- 20 - OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES A wide assortment of professional Meade accessories are available for the for ETX telescopes. Meadeaccessories greatly extend many important applications to the telescope, from low-power, wide-fieldterrestrial viewing to high-power lunar and planetary observing. The premi...

- 22 - GENERAL MAINTENANCE Your ETX model telescope is a precision optical instruments designed to yield a lifetime of rewardingobservations. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, the telescope will rarely requirefactory servicing or maintenance. Use the following guidelines: 1. A...

- 23 - Inspecting the Optics A Note About the “Flashlight Test:" If a flashlight or other high-intensity light source is pointed down the maintelescope tube, the view (depending upon the observer’s line of sight and the angle of the light) may revealwhat appear to be scratches, dark or bright sp...

- 24 - • If inside a warm house or building, move outside. Interior air conditions may distort terrestrial or celestial images, making it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a sharp focus. For optimal viewing, use the telescopeoutside in the open air instead of observing through an open or close...

- 25 - Specifications: ETX-90EC Astro Telescope Optical design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maksutov-Cassegrain Primary mirror diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96mm (3.78”) Clear aperture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90mm (3.5”) Focal length . . . . . . . ...

Appendix A: ADVANCED ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER FUNCTIONS Tracking Motor Speeds In the polar mode the Electronic Controller normally tracks objects at the sidereal rate (see SIDEREAL RATE , page 13). For most observing sessions (once the telescope has been polar aligned and the tracking motor activated),...

Appendix B: HELPFUL CHARTS Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World To aid in the polar alignment procedure (see page 16), latitudesof major cities around the world are listed below. To determinethe latitude of an observing site not listed on the chart, locatethe city closest to your site. Then ...

Appendix C: PRECISE POLAR ALIGNMENT; SETTING CIRCLES If desired, you may obtain more precise polar alignment by first accomplishing basic polar alignment asdetailed in POLAR ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE , page 16, then returning to this procedure: Note: This procedure moves the telescope physically to line u...

- 29 - OBJECTS IN SPACE In the early 17th century, Italian Scientist Galileo, using a crude telescope considerably smaller than theETX-90EC, turned it to look towards the sky instead of distant trees and mountains. What he saw, and whathe realized about what he saw, forever changed the way mankind t...

- 30 - Jupiter (Fig. 34) is the largest planet in oursolar system, with a diameter 11 times that ofEarth. Jupiter appears as a disk with dark linesstretching across the surface. These lines arecloud bands in the atmosphere. Four ofJupiter’s 29 (and still counting!) moons (Io,Europa, Ganymede, and Ca...

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 re...

Ver. 0501 Part no. 14-1010-20 A D V A N C E D P R O D U C T S D I V I S I O N Meade Instruments Corporation World’s Leading Manufacturer of Astronomical Telescopes for the Serious Amateur 6001 Oak Canyon, Irvine, California 92618 ■ (949) 451-1450 FAX: (949) 451-1460 ■ www.meade.com © 2001