Meade ETX-80AT-BB Instruction Manual page 8

ETX: Your Personal Window to the Universe
The Meade ETX-80AT-BB is an extremely versatile, high-resolution telescope with features sim-
ilar to those once available only with larger and more specialized imaging systems. With push-
button controls, automatic tracking of celestial objects, and software downloading capability, an
ETX telescope may be all the telescope ever required by many terrestrial and astronomical
observers.
Your ETX telescope reveals nature in an ever-expanding level of detail. Observe the feather
Caution:
structure of an eagle from 50 yards or study the rings of the planet Saturn from a distance of
Using products other
800 million miles. Focus beyond the Solar System and observe majestic nebulae, ancient star
than standard Meade
clusters, remote galaxies, and even stars recently discovered to have planets orbiting about
accessories may cause
them. Meade ETX telescopes are instruments fully capable of growing with your interest and
damage to the
are ideal for both the casual observer and serious astronomer alike.
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Eyepiece: Place the MA 25mm or other eyepiece into the 45° Eyepiece Holder (3, Fig. 1) and
tighten in place with thumbscrew (2, Fig.1).
Eyepiece Holder Thumbscrew: Secures the eyepiece. Tighten to a "firm feel" only.
45° Erecting Prism: Holds the eyepiece at angle for convenient viewing and correctly
orients images in the eyepiece.
Rear Cell Port: Attach any 35mm camera with a removable lens to this port using an
optional #64ST T-Adapter or attach the 45° prism (3, Fig. 1) for correctly oriented images
through the eyepiece.
90° Eyepiece Holder: Holds the eyepiece upright for easy viewing.
Eyepiece: Place the MA 25mm or other eyepiece into the 90° Eyepiece Holder (5, Fig. 1) and
tighten in place with thumbscrew (7, Fig.1).
Eyepiece Holder Thumbscrew: Secures the eyepiece. Tighten to a "firm feel" only.
Fork Arms: Hold the optical tube in place.
Optical Tube: The main optical component that gathers the light from distant objects and
brings this light to a focus at the eyepiece.
Movable Objective Lens Cell: This component contains the telescope's lenses. The focus
knob (15, Fig. 1) moves the cell for precise image focus.
Dew Shield: Slows down the advance of dew, which distorts observing conditions.
Dust Cap: Unthread the dust cap counterclockwise from the front lens of the telescope
before observing.
Note: The dust cap should be replaced after each observing session and the
power turned off to the telescope. Verify that any dew that might have collected dur-
ing the observing session has evaporated before you replace the dust cap.
Vertical Lock: Turning the vertical lock counterclockwise unlocks the telescope, enabling
it to be freely moved up and down. Turning the vertical lock clockwise (tighten to a "firm
feel" only) prevents the telescope from being moved manually, but allows the vertical motor
drive to operate for AutoStar operation.
Caution: When loosening the vertical lock, be sure to hold onto the optical tube
(9, Fig. 1). The weight of the objective lens could cause the tube to swing
suddenly downward and damage the telescope.
Horizontal Lock: Controls the manual horizontal rotation of the telescope. Turning the
horizontal lock counterclockwise unlocks the telescope, allowing it to be freely rotated by
hand side-to-side about the horizontal axis. Turning the horizontal lock clockwise prevents
the telescope from being rotated manually, but allows the horizontal motor drive to operate
for AutoStar operation.
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