First Observations; Observing With The Electronic Controller - Meade ETX-90EC Instruction Manual

Indicator Lights (2, Fig. 6): Four red LED (Light Emitting
Diode) lights are used to indicate the current slew speed.
1
Fast
Medium
2
Moderate
Slow
3
Fig.6: Electronic Controller. (1) Arrow Keys; (2) Indicator
Lights; (3) SPEED Key; (4) Coil Cord; (5) MODEKey;
(6) OUT Key; (7) IN Key.
NOTE: For purposes of this manual, the lights are identified as
1 through 4, with 1 being the top light and 4 the bottom light.
Indicator Light Key
The procedures in this
manual identify the status of
the four indicator lights in a
box to the left of the appro-
priate step. They are de-
picted as on, blinking, or off,
depending on the mode at
that point.
SPEED Key (3, Fig. 6): The SPEED key is used to change the
speed at which the telescope slews when the arrow keys are
pressed. Each press of the SPEED key changes the slew
speed to the next slower setting. If the controller is already on
the slowest slew speed (light 4), pressing the SPEED key
cycles back to the highest speed (light 1). Slew speeds are
signified by the indicator lights (2, Fig. 6).
Fast
Medium
MODE Key (5, Fig. 6): Pressing and holding the MODE key
puts the Electronic Controller into the Mode function (see
Electronic Controller Modes, page 11).
OUT Key (6, Fig. 6): The OUT key is used in conjunction with
the optional #1244 (ETX-90EC) or #1247 (ETX-125EC) Electric
Focuser (see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 18) to move the
focus point outward.
IN Key (7, Fig. 6): The IN key is used in conjunction with the
optional Electric Focuser to move the focus point inward.

First Observations

Unthread the metal dust cap from the front lens of the
telescope (counterclockwise), and the ETX may now be used
for terrestrial (land) observing.
NOTE:The dust cap should be replaced after each observing
session and the power turned off to the telescope. Verify that
GETTING STARTED
7
6
5
4
Light No. Light Status
On
Light 1
Blinking
Light 2
Off
Light 3
Light 4
Moderate
Slow
z
any dew that might have collected during the observing session
has evaporated prior to replacing the dust cap.
With the standard-equipment SP 26mm eyepiece inserted in
the eyepiece holder, the telescope is operating at the following
power (see Understanding Magnification, page 9):
• ETX-90EC 48X
• ETX-125EC 73X
Objects viewed through the eyepiece are correctly oriented up-
and-down in the telescope but are reversed left-for-right. Image
orientation is discussed further in Terrestrial Observing,
page 10. The flip-mirror control (16, Fig. 1) must be in the "up"
position in order to observe an image through the telescope's
eyepiece (see Flip-Mirror Control, page 6).
For the ultimate viewing experience, become familiar with the
features of your ETX telescope and the functions of the
Electronic Controller. Upon completing this chapter make first
observations of a simple land object several hundred yards in
the distance— perhaps a telephone pole or a building. Locate
objects first in the viewfinder before viewing them in the main
telescope (see Aligning the Viewfinder, page 8). Practice
focusing on the object using the focus knob (9, Fig. 1) and
centering the object in the eyepiece using the Electronic
Controller arrows keys (1, Fig. 6).

Observing with the Electronic Controller

With the Electronic Controller in the factory pre-set "Alt/Az"
(vertical-horizontal) mode, the Electronic Controller arrow keys
permit pushbutton movements (slewing) of the telescope. To
move the telescope using the Electronic Controller:
1. Set the telescope on a level and stable surface, or mount to
the Meade #883 Deluxe Field Tripod (see O P T I O N A L
ACCESSORIES, page 17).
2. Insert a low-power eyepiece (e.g., SP 26mm) into the
eyepiece holder (4, Fig. 1) and tighten the eyepiece
thumbscrew (3, Fig. 1).
3. Tighten the vertical and horizontal locks (6 and 10, Fig. 1).
4. Verify that the power switch (1, Fig. 5) on the telescope's
computer control panel is OFF.
5. Plug in the Electronic Controller coil cord (4, Fig. 6) to the
HBXport (3, Fig. 5) on the computer control panel.
6. Flip the power switch to ON. The power indicator
light (5, Fig. 5) on the computer control panel
comes on and all four Electronic Controller
indicator lights (2, Fig. 6) blink rapidly.
7. Press any key on the Electronic Controller and the
telescope slews momentarily in the vertical and
horizontal directions to test the motors.
8. When the test is complete, light 1 comes on steady;
lights 2, 3, and 4 turn off.
9. Use the four arrow keys (1, Fig. 6) to slew the
telescope to the desired object. To change the slew
speed, press the SPEED key.
10. Fine-adjust the position of the object with the
Electronic Controller arrow keys so that it is centered in the
viewfinder. The object is now ready to be viewed through the
telescope's eyepiece.
Observing Tip: If the Electronic Controller has previously been
placed in the polar mode (see Electronic Controller Modes,
page 11) and Alt/Az operation is desired, flip the telescope
power switch to OFF and perform steps 6, 7, and 8 above. The
telescope is now in the Alt/Az mode. This procedure does not
work if one of the mode screws has been removed (see Using
the Mode Screws, page 11).
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CHAPTER
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