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Summary of Contents for Meade ETX-125AT
- Page 1 Instruction Manual ETX-90AT Astro Telescope ETX-105AT Astro Telescope ETX-125AT Astro Telescope...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
If you are anxious to use your telescope for the first time, read the QUICK-START GUIDE on pages 4 and 5. ® The name "Meade," “ETX,” “Autostar” and the Meade logo are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent Office and in principal countries throughout the world. -
Page 4: Quick-Start Guide
Insert eight (user-supplied) AA-size batteries into the battery compartment (B) oriented as shown in the battery compartment. Replace the cover and return the telescope to an upright position (if you wish to attach the telescope to the deluxe field tripod, see page 12). - Page 5 Make sure that the flip mirror control (K) is in the “Up” position, as shown the diagram above. Arrow Sight along the side of the telescope’s main tube to locate an Keys object. If you wish to learn how to attach and align the telescope’s viewfinder, see pages 13 to 14.
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Page 6: Telescope Features
Fig. 2 (Inset): Computer Control Panel. (A) On/Off switch; (B) Auxiliary ports; (C) Handbox port; (D) 12v connector; (E) Power indicator light. 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. -
Page 7: Optional Accessories
The ETX telescopes can be focused on objects from a distance of about 11.5 ft (ETX-90AT) or 15 ft (ETX-105AT or ETX-125AT) to infinity. Rotate the focus knob clockwise to focus on distant objects and counterclockwise to focus on nearby objects. - Page 8 Horizontal Lock: Controls the manual horizontal rotation of the telescope. Loosen the horizontal lock counterclockwise to unlock the telescope, enabling it to be freely rotated by hand about the horizontal axis. Tightening the horizontal lock clockwise prevents the telescope from being rotated manually, but engages the horizontal motor drive clutch for Autostar operation.
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Page 9: Autostar Features
Take a guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the year. Download the latest satellite data, guided tours and software revisions directly from the Meade website (www.meade.com) and share software with other Autostar enthusiasts. (Requires optional #505 AstroFinder™ Cable Connector Kit. See , page 43.) -
Page 10: Autostar Menus
GO TO procedures to activate a "spiral search." Arrow Keys: The Arrow keys have several functions. Press an Arrow key to slew the telescope in a specific direction (up, down, left and right), at any one of nine dif- ferent speeds. See SLEW SPEEDS move the telescope vertically up and down. - Page 11 RS232 Port: Plug in optional cable to download the latest satellite data and software revisions directly from the Meade website (www.meade.com). You can also share software with other Autostar enthusiasts or control your telescope remotely from your PC.
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Page 12: Getting Started
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 are not to be used for a long period of time. -
Page 13: Attaching And Using The Viewfinder
ETX-105AT or ETX-125AT 8 x 25mm Right-Angle Viewfinder: Fig. 13: Level tilt-plate. Standard equipment with the ETX-105AT and ETX-125AT, the 8 x 25mm Right-Angle Viewfinder has 8-power magnification and an aperture of 25mm. This viewfinder presents a correctly oriented image up-and-down, but is reversed left-for-right. -
Page 14: Focusing And Aligning The Viewfinder
Aligning the Viewfinder In order for the viewfinder to be useful, it must first be aligned with the main telescope, so that both the viewfinder and the main telescope are pointing at precisely the same location. -
Page 15: Choosing An Eyepiece
48X (“48-power”) on the ETX-90AT, 57X on the ETX-105AT and 73X on the ETX-125AT. A variety of powers may be obtained with the addition of optional eyepieces as well as the #126 2X Barlow Lens which doubles the power of an eye-... -
Page 16: Observing
ENTER when your model displays. The display now displays "Setup: Align." . You can now use the ARROW KEYS to slew (move) the telescope up, down, right or left. Practice using the ARROW KEYS to center objects in the eyepiece. -
Page 17: Slew Speeds
Observe the Moon Point your telescope at the Moon (note that the Moon is not visible every night) and practice using the Arrow keys and the slew speeds to view different features. The Moon contains many interesting features, including craters, mountain ranges and fault lines. -
Page 18: Initializing Autostar
Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of cities. Press ENTER when the closest city displays. 11. Autostar then requests the telescope model number. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of models. Press ENTER when your model number dis- plays. - Page 19 Look through the viewfinder and use the Arrow keys to move the telescope until the star is visible. Then center the star in the eyepiece. Press ENTER. Repeat the procedure for the second alignment star.
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Page 20: Observe A Star Using The Automatic Tracking Feature
Go To Saturn After performing the Easy Align procedure, the motor drive begins operating and the telescope is aligned for a night of viewing. Objects in the eyepiece will maintain their position even though the Earth is rotating beneath the stars. -
Page 21: Using The Guided Tour
A wide variety of star charts are available in books, in magazines, on the inter- net and on CD Roms. Meade offers Autostar Suite software. Contact your Meade dealer or Meade's Customer Service department for more information. -
Page 22: Basic Autostar Operation
Press the Scroll Down key once to display the “Event” option in the “Select Item” menu. OBJECT MENU Want to see Mars? The Orion nebula? The Andromeda galaxy? Select from over 30,000 objects and press GO TO to move the telescope automatically to an object. Select Item: Event EVENT MENU Display the time of... -
Page 23: Entering Data Into Autostar
Entering data into Autostar Tip: When multiple choices are available within a menu option, the current option is usually displayed first and Navigating Autostar highlighted by a right Autostar's menus are organized for quick and easy navigation: pointing arrow (>). Press the ENTER key to choose the "Event"... -
Page 24: Autostar Menus
AUTOSTAR's MENUS... -
Page 25: Objects Menu
GO TO key to move the Autostar moves your telescope (if properly aligned) and points it at the selected telescope so that it is object. -
Page 26: Event Menu, Glossary Menu
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL ALIGNMENT-BASED OPERATIONS: Only use the Arrow keys to move the telescope during the Identify procedure. Do not loosen the telescope locks or move the base or the alignment will be lost. When a desired object is visible in the eyepiece, keep pressing MODE until the “Select Item: Object”... -
Page 27: Utilities Menu
Tip: The Contrast Adjustment feature is usually only required in very cold Eyepiece Calc calculates information about an eyepiece for the specific telescope to weather. which Autostar is connected. If you adjust the contrast so that you can no longer... -
Page 28: Setup Menu
Cord Wrap, when set to "On," moves the telescope in such a way as to prevent the cords and cables attached to your telescope assembly from getting wound around the assembly and tangled as the telescope slews to objects. - Page 29 If "Terrestrial" is selected and the telescope is aligned, the tracking motor is turned off. To learn how to track an object automatically, see page 20. Site provides access to several options including:...
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Page 30: Optional Accessories
NASA, Hubble, HST, astronomy, Messier, satellite, nebula, black hole, variable stars, etc. Check Meade’s website for the latest product and technical information. You can download the latest software revisions, links to other astronomical sites, coordinates of celestial objects and the latest satellite tracking information for your Autostar handbox. -
Page 31: Advanced Autostar Operation
If you plan to observe using Autostar at different geographic locations, you can store up to six observation sites in Autostar's memory to help simplify your telescope setup. Perform these procedures using the Site options (Add, Select, Delete, Edit) of the Setup menu. -
Page 32: Finding Objects Not In The Database
Press GO TO and the telescope slews to the object. Observing Satellites In this procedure, you will prepare your telescope to observe a satellite pass. Navigate to the "Object: Satellite" menu option and press ENTER. Use the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of satellites. -
Page 33: Create Your Own Guided Tour
A PC with text editor or word processing software installed (the tour must be saved as a "text only" or as a "MS-DOS text" file). The Meade #505 Cable Connector Kit to download tour information to the Autostar handbox. , page 43. - Page 34 All comments begin with a "/" character in column 1 of the line. For example: / Extreme Objects / (c) 2000 Meade Instruments Corporation Command Line This line contains programming commands, including: R.A. and DEC. coordinates, a title string, a description string and a keyword.
- Page 35 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.
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Page 36: Landmarks
PICK END AUTO SLEW ON / AUTO SLEW OFF With AUTO SLEW ON enabled in the tour, Autostar automatically slews the telescope to objects first before displaying the text description. This feature is useful when designing tours in which observing certain objects is required. For example, an astronomy professor may require his students to observe six objects, four of which Autostar automatically slews to in a tour. -
Page 37: Identify
In this procedure, you will store the location of terrestrial landmarks in Autostar's memory. 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. -
Page 38: Advanced Alt/Az Alignment Methods
Select a star that you can easily locate in the night sky. Press ENTER. The telescope slews to the star. Use the Arrow keys to move the telescope until the star is centered in the eyepiece. Press ENTER. -
Page 39: Browse
3 or 4 objects to show them beforehand; if you have long delays, they will become bored and lose interest. Also, demonstrate how to focus the telescope in a well-lit area before you go to to the observing site. ETX TIPS... -
Page 40: Photography
(Figs. 29a and 29b). With the flip-mirror control in the “down” position and the photo port’s dust cover removed, you can see the front lens of the telescope when you look through the photo port. The #64 T-Adapter threads onto the photo port, followed by a T-mount for the particular brand of 35mm camera being used, followed by the camera body (with the camera lens removed). - Page 41 A Few Tips on Photography 1.Use the standard tripod or the optional table tripod ( see page 43) as a platform for the telescope. At effective focal lengths of 1250mm to 1450mm (ETX-90AT), 1640mm to 1830mm (ETX-105AT) or 1900mm to 2310mm (ETX–125AT), even small external vibrations can easily ruin an otherwise good...
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Page 42: Photography With Autostar Suite
Photography with Meade’s Autostar Suite The Autostar Suite with Meade LPI (Lunar Planetary Imager) and Planetarium software turns your Meade ETX telescope, Autostar and PC into even more powerful and easy- to-use astronomical instrument. LPI (Lunar Planetary Imager, Fig. 32) combines the power of an electronic astronomical imager with the simplicity of a web cam. -
Page 43: Optional Accessories
Insert the #126 into the telescope’s eyepiece holder first, followed by an eyepiece. Example: By itself, the 26mm eyepiece yields a power of 73X with the ETX-125AT; when used with the #126 2x Barlow Lens, this eyepiece yields 146X. - Page 44 38) are fully lined with fitted foam inserts. They accept the complete ETX Astro Telescope plus optional accessories. #765 Soft Carry Bag: The Meade soft-padded carry bag (Fig. 39) is well suited to travel with the ETX-90AT Astro Telescope. Each carry bag includes a shoulder strap and permits ready transport of the complete telescope, including accessories.
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Page 45: Maintenance
Rather, simply allow the telescope to sit for some time in warm indoor air, so that the wet optical surfaces can dry unattended. In addition, the dust cap should not be placed back on to the optical tube until the telescope is thoroughly dry. -
Page 46: Troubleshooting
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. - Page 47 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES Meade Customer Service If you have a question concerning your ETX model, call the Meade Instruments Customer Service Department at (949) 451-1450. Customer Service hours are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. In the unlikely event that the...
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Page 48: Specifications
Secondary mirror obstruction (dia.; %) . . 27.9mm (1.1”); 9.6% Telescope mounting ....fork type; double tine Setting circle diameters ....Dec.: 3.5”; R.A.: 7”... - Page 49 Secondary mirror obstruction (dia.; %) . . 39.4mm (1.6”); 9.6% Telescope mounting ....fork type; double tine Setting circle diameters ....Dec.: 4.3”; R.A.: 9”...
- Page 50 Autostar Specifications Processor 68HC11, 8MHz Flash Memory ...1MB, reloadable Keypad ...20 key alphanumeric Display ...2 line, 16 character LCD Backlight...Red LED Utility Light ...Yes RS-232 ...Yes Coil Cord ...24" Database ...30,223 objects Autostar Dimensions Length ...6.56" (16.6cm) Width (LCD end) ...3.19" (80cm) Width (Connector end) ...2.25"...
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Page 51: Appendix A: Equatorial (Polar) Alignment
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,... -
Page 52: Equatorial Mounting Procedure
Fig. 45: Attach telescope to tripod. However, owners who wish to perform astrophotography or use the Meade LPI (see PHOTOGRAPHY WITH MEADE’S AUTOSTAR SUITE equatorial mounting indispensible to their needs. 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). -
Page 53: Autostar Polar Alignment Modes
Polaris is chosen by Autostar. First, choose "Polar" from the "Setup: Telescope: Mount" menu. The rest of the procedure is almost identical to the Alt/Az ONE STAR ALT/AZ ALIGNMENT, page 38, except that Autostar prompts you to point the telescope at Polaris and center it in the telescope eyepiece. -
Page 54: Setting Circles
R.A. (in hours, minutes and seconds, from 0h 0m 0s to 23h 59m 59s) and Dec. (in degrees from 0° to ±90°). With an ETX model polar aligned, use the Arrow keys to move the telescope in R.A. (left and right keys) and Dec. (up and down keys). -
Page 55: Appendix B: Latitude Chart
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. -
Page 56: Appendix C: Training The Drive
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. -
Page 57: Appendix D:basic Astronomy
Note: Except during its early or late crescent phases, the Moon can be an exceptionally bright object to view through the telescope. To reduce the brightness and glare, use the #905 Variable Polarizing Filter (see the MEADE GENERAL CATALOG for more information). - Page 58 The disk of Venus appears white, as sunlight is reflected off the thick cloud cover that completely obscures any surface detail. Mars is about half the diameter of Earth. Through the telescope it appears as a tiny reddish-orange disk. You may see a hint of white at one of the planet’s polar ice caps.
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Page 60: Meade Limited Warranty
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.
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