Page 3 - © 2001 Meade Instruments Corporation.
Quick-Start Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Telescope Electronic Controller Functions . . . . . . . . .5 ETX: Your Personal Window on the Universe . . . . . . .6Telescope Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Electronic Controller Functions . ....
Page 5 - TELESCOPE AND ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER FUNCTIONS
- 5 - 1 2 9 5 11 10 6 (on leftfork arm) 16 4 19 13 15 7 3 20 Fig. 1: The ETX-90EC Astro Telescope. Features of the ETX-90EC, ETX-105EC, and ETX-125EC areidentical, with the exception ofthe size of optical tube and thetype of viewfinder included asstandard equipment. TELESCOPE AND ELECTRONIC CONTROLL...
Page 6 - 0° Eyepiece Holder - Holds the eyepiece upright for easy viewing.; DECLINATION; Fork Arms - Hold the optical tube in place.; RIGHT ASCENSION
- 6 - ETX: Your Personal Window to the Universe The Meade ETX-90EC, ETX-105EC, and the ETX-125EC are extremely versatile, high-resolutiontelescopes with features similar to those once available only with larger and more specialized imagingsystems. With pushbutton controls, automatic tracking of cele...
Page 7 - Computer Control Panel; or; handbox into this port.
- 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,...
Page 8 - Electronic Controller Functions; Light No. Light Status
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...
Page 9 - GETTING STARTED; • The ETX Astro Telescope with fork-; position. Plug the coil cord of the; TIPS; FOR BEGINNERS; Join an Astronomy Club
- 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....
Page 10 - Aligning the Viewfinder.; Aligning the Viewfinder; Turn the three rear alignment screws
- 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...
Page 11 - Point the main telescope at some; OBSERVATION TECHNIQUES; Choosing an Eyepiece; OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES; View through the
- 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...
Page 12 - Understanding Magnification; Terrestrial Observing; OPTIONAL; Telescope Focal Length
- 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...
Page 13 - POLAR ALIGNMENT; The Electronic Controller; APPENDIX A; Slew Speeds
- 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. ...
Page 14 - Light 2: Best for centering an object in the viewfinder.; The four available speeds are:; Modes of Operation; Telescope Mountings; FC
- 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...
Page 15 - To move the telescope using the Electronic Controller:; Flip the power switch to; Fine-adjust the position of the object with; olar Mode; telescope for extensive; hands-off tracking of celestial objects. In this; Surf the Web; Here are some other sites you might find useful:
- 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...
Page 16 - SIDEREAL RATE
- 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...
Page 17 - ALIGNING THE VIEWFINDER
- 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 ...
Page 18 - PHOTOGRAPHY
- 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...
Page 19 - A Few Tips on Photography; certainly introduce undesirable vibrations.; POLAR ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE; motor drive be in operation (see
- 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...
Page 20 - Eyepiece; SP
- 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...
Page 22 - GENERAL MAINTENANCE; ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS; for prolonged periods.; Storage and Transport
- 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...
Page 23 - Unable to see an image through the eyepiece:; Telescope does not track a celestial object:
- 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...
Page 24 - Telescope moves off a terrestrial object while observing:; • The motor drive may be activated (see; Telescope does not move past a certain point:; with bullet; Telescope pauses when changing slew direction:; • This pause is normal (see; Meade Customer Service
- 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...
Page 25 - with encoders, both axes; Specifications: ETX-105EC Astro Telescope; Specifications: ETX-125EC Astro Telescope; Telescope dimensions:
- 25 - Specifications: ETX-90EC Astro Telescope Optical design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maksutov-Cassegrain Primary mirror diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96mm (3.78”) Clear aperture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90mm (3.5”) Focal length . . . . . . . ...
Page 26 - Appendix A: ADVANCED ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER FUNCTIONS; Tracking Motor Speeds; Northern Hemisphere Polar:; Changing Modes Using the Electronic Controller; Complete the; Complete steps 2 through 8 as described in; page 15, to initialize the Electronic Controller.
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),...
Page 27 - Appendix B: HELPFUL CHARTS
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 ...
Page 28 - Appendix C: PRECISE POLAR ALIGNMENT SETTING CIRCLES; the alignment more precise.; Setting Circles; Declination of celestial objects.; 6mm eyepiece) be employed. Then use the following procedure:; STAR; The Dec. circle is already calibrated through polar alignment.
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...
Page 29 - Planets; Appendix D: YOU AND THE UNIVERSE
- 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...
Page 30 - Topics; What are stars made of? Why are stars; Books; A User’s Guide by David Levy; Magazines
- 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...
Page 31 - MEADE LIMITED WARRANTY; This warranty supersedes all previous Meade product warranties.; WARNING
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...
Page 32 - A D V A N C E D P R O D U C T S D I V I S I O N
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
