Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product ETX-90EC Meade
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Meade Instruments Corporation Instruction Manual ETX-90EC Astr o T elescope ETX-125EC Astro T elescope.
1 2 8 14 9 5 11 10 12 6 18 (on left fork arm) 16 17 4 19 13 15 7 (on both sides) 1. Eyepiece 2. Viewfinder: ETX-90EC: 8 x 21mm Erect-Image Viewfinder ETX-125EC: 8 x 25mm Right-Angle Viewfinder 3. Eyepiece holder thumbscrew 4. 90° eyepiece holder 5. Optical tube: ETX-90EC: 90mm clear aperture ETX-125EC: 127mm clear aperture 6.
Quick-Start Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Chapter 1: Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 The Electronic Controller . . . . . .
Remove the ETX from its packaging and place it on a sturdy surface. Place the eyepiece (A) and viewfinder (B) into their appropriate positions on the telescope and tighten the appropriate attachment screws to a firm feel only. Securely place the ETX on its side and remove the battery compartment cover (C) from the underside of the drive base.
INTRODUCTION A Meade ETXAstro T elescope is an extremely versatile, high- resolution imaging system that, with advanced features similar to larger and more specialized telescopes, can be used by casual observers and serious astronomers alike.
z 6 GETTING STARTED CHAPTER 1 TELESCOPE FEATURES Quic k Tips • Rotational Limits: The telescope base and fork mount are designed with internal “rotational limit stops.” The horizontal limit stop prevents the telescope from rotating more than 630° to avoid damage to the internal wiring.
Indicator Lights (2, Fig. 6): Four red LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights are used to indicate the current slew speed. NOTE: F or purposes of this manual, the lights are identified as 1 through 4, with 1 being the top light and 4 the bottom light. SPEED Key (3, Fig.
THE VIEWFINDER As with most astronomical telescopes, both ETX model telescopes present a fairly narrow field of view to the observer . As a result it is sometimes difficult to locate and center objects in the telescope’s field of view .
CHAPTER 2 z 9 Chapter 2:TELESCOPE FUNDAMENTALS INTRODUCTION Both ETX model telescopes can be used for immediate observation right out of the box. However, becoming familiar with the fundamentals of a telescope makes subsequent viewing easier and more rewarding.
CHAPTER 2 z 10 TELESCOPE FUNDAMENTALS Equatorial mounts are highly desirable in the operation of any telescope used for extensive astronomical applications, because celestial objects do not move in vertical or horizontal directions but in a combination of these directions.
CHAPTER 2 z 11 TELESCOPE FUNDAMENTALS THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER Briefly described on page 6, the Electronic Controller is the primary device used to move ETX model telescopes.
12 Chapter 3: POLAR ALIGNMENT APTER 3 For extensive astronomical observing, the telescope is best mounted in the polar configuration. In polar alignment the telescope is oriented so that the horizontal and vertical axes of the telescope align with the celestial coordinate system (see Fig.
4. Each table tripod is equipped with two adjustable tripod legs: The standard tripod leg is used at observing latitudes as shown in the box in step 5 and has a dual latitude label attached (Fig. 15). The high-latitude tripod leg is shorter and is used at higher observing latitudes.
z 14 Chapter 4: OBSERVING CHAPTER 4 OBJECTS IN SP A CE Listed below are some of the many astronomical objects that can be seen with either ETX model telescope.
z 15 OBSERVING CHAPTER 4 PHO T OGRAPHY WITH BOTH ETX MODELS Photography through either ETX model requires the addition of the optional #64 T–Adapter (see OPTIONAL A CCESSORIES , page 17). W ith the #64 T -Adapter attached to the telescope (Fig. 20), through-the-telescope photography is possible with any 35mm camera body with a removable lens.
z 16 Chapter 5: OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES CHAPTER 5 A wide assortment of professional Meade accessories is available for both ETX model telescopes. Meade accessories greatly extend many important applications of the telescope, from low-power, wide-field terrestrial viewing to high-power lunar and planetary observing.
z 17 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES CHAPTER 5 The Meade #126 2x Barlow lens is an achromatic, high- performance, short-focus Barlow Lens, perfectly suited to the low-profile design of both ETX models. Lens surfaces are multi- coated for maximum image contrast and light transmission.
Important Note: In the most discriminating applications, such as long-distance observing of delicate bird feather-structure, both ETX models’ internal, optically-flat mirror yields a higher- resolution image than is possible with any prism, including the #932.
General Maintenance Both ETX model telescopes are precision optical instruments designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding applications. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, the telescopes will rarely require factory servicing or maintenance.
z 20 MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING CHAPTER 6 Unable to see an ima ge through the e yepiece: • Confirm that the lens cover has been removed from the telescope. • Confirm that the flip-mirror control (16, Fig. 1) is in the “up” position if using the eyepiece holder (4, Fig.
z 21 TELESCOPE SPECIFICATIONS CHAPTER 6 Specifications: ETX-90EC Astro T elescope Optical design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maksutov-Cassegrain Primary mirror diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96mm (3.78”) Clear aperture . . . .
z 22 Appendix A:TRACKING MO T OR SPEED APPENDIX A In the polar mode the Electronic Controller normally tracks objects at the sidereal rate (see Sidereal Rate, page 10). For most observing sessions (once the telescope has been polar aligned and the tracking motor activated), there is little need to change this speed.
APPENDIX B z 23 Appendix B: HELPFUL CHARTS Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the W orld T o aid in the polar alignment procedure (see page 12), latitudes of major cities around the world are listed below . T o determine the latitude of an observing site not listed on the chart, locate the city closest to your site.
z 24 Appendix C: PRECISE POLAR ALIGNMENT; SETTING CIRCLES APPENDIX C Precise Polar Alignment I m p o r tan t n ot e: Fo r a lm ost al l ast rono mica l ob se r v i n g requirements, approximate settings of the telescope’s latitude and polar axis are acceptable .
APPENDIX D z 25 Appendix D: R O ADMAP T O THE STARS The night sky is filled with wonder and intrigue. Y ou too can enjoy exploring the universe simply by following a few pointers on a roadmap to the stars . First, find the Big Dipper , which is part of the constellation Ursa Major.
z 26 Appendix E: Y OU AND THE UNIVERSE The distances between galaxies Milky Way Galaxy Andromeda Galaxy (M31) Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) The Sun 2.2 million light-years 35 million light-years The distance.
MEADE LIMITED W ARRANTY 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.
V er. 0300 ETX ® is a registered trademark of Meade Instruments Corporation. Part no. 14-1010-20 Mea de In str um ent s Co rp or ati on 6001 OAK CANYON, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92618-5200 U.
An important point after buying a device Meade ETX-90EC (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought Meade ETX-90EC yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data Meade ETX-90EC - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, Meade ETX-90EC you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get Meade ETX-90EC will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of Meade ETX-90EC, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime Meade ETX-90EC.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with Meade ETX-90EC. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device Meade ETX-90EC along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
