Meade ETX-60AT instruction manual Star Locator, Season Star Name Constellation Dec

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A Roadmap to the Stars

The night sky is filled with wonder and intrigue. You 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. The Big Dipper is usually easy to locate year round in North America.

Extending directly out from the far side of the Big Dipper’s cup is the constellation Orion. One of the most exquisite areas of the winter sky, Orion is distinguished by Orion’s belt, which is marked by three stars in a row. The Orion Nebula is located South of the belt and is one of the most observed deep-sky objects by amateur astronomers.

Extending from the “pointer stars” of the Big Dipper’s cup is Polaris, the North Star. Extending from Polaris is the Great Square shared by the constellations Pegasus and Andromeda. .

Rigel

 

 

 

Orion

 

 

 

Betelgeuse

Andromeda

 

 

 

 

 

Gemini

 

 

 

Pollux

 

 

 

Castor

Pegasus

 

Polaris

“Sickle”

Deneb

 

Regulus

 

Leo

“Summer

Cygnus

 

Triangle”

 

“Big Dipper”

 

 

 

Vega

 

Boö tes

Altair

Lyra

 

 

Arcturus

 

 

 

Aquila

Virgo

Spica

Antares

Scorpius

Fig. 36: Road Map to the Stars.

The Summer Triangle is a notable region in the sky to the left of the handle of the Big Dipper. The triangle is made up of three very bright stars: Vega, Deneb, and Altair.

By drawing an imaginary line outward from the handle of the Big Dipper, you reach the south- ern constellation “Scorpius.” Scorpius curves to the left like the tail of a scorpion in the sky, or like letter “J.”

Amateur astronomers commonly use the phrase “Arc to Arcturus and spike to Spica” to refer to the area directly off the arc in the handle of the Big Dipper. Follow the arc to Arcturus, the sec- ond brightest star in the Northern Hemisphere, then spike down to Spica, the 16th brightest star in the sky.

Star Locator

The chart below lists bright stars with their R.A. and Dec coordinates, along with the Northern Hemisphere season when these stars are prominent in the night sky. This list aids the observ- er to find alignment stars at various times of the year. For example, if it is a midsummer evening in the Northern Hemisphere, Deneb in the constellation Cygnus, would be an excellent align- ment star, while Betelgeuse could not be used because it is in the winter constellation Orion and thus, below the horizon.

Season

Star Name

Constellation

R.A.

Dec

Spring

Arcturus

Bootes

14h16m

19° 11"

Spring

Regulus

Leo

10h09m

11° 58"

Spring

Spica

Virgo

13h25m

-11° 10"

 

 

 

 

 

Summer

Vega

Lyra

18h37m

38° 47"

Summer

Deneb

Cygnus

20h41m

45° 17"

Summer

Altair

Aquila

19h51m

08° 52"

Summer

Antares

Scorpius

16h30m

-26° 26"

 

 

 

 

 

Fall

Markab

Pegasus

23h05m

15° 12"

Fall

Fomalhaut

Pisces Austrinus

s22h58m

-29° 38"

Fall

Mira

Cetus

02h19m

-02° 58"

 

 

 

 

 

Winter

Rigel

Orion

05h15m

-08° 12"

Winter

Betelgeuse

Orion

05h55m

07° 25"

Winter

Sirius

Canis Major

06h45m

-16° 43"

Winter

Aldebaran

Taurus

04h35m

16° 31"

Basic Astronomy 39

Image 39
Contents Meade Instruments Corporation Contents QUICK-START Guide If you wish to observe using Autostar’s databases, go toETX-60AT and ETX-70AT Telescope Telescope FeaturesETX Your Personal Window to the Universe Flip mirror control in the up position Computer Control PanelTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Autostar FeaturesAutostar Features Join an Astronomy Club Attend a Star Party Choosing an Eyepiece Parts ListingHow to Assemble Your Telescope Getting StartedManual Operation of the Telescope without Autostar Manual Operation of the Telescope Using Autostars Arrow KeysInitializing Autostar Moving Through Autostar’s MenusAutostar Navigation Exercise Autostar OperationEasy Two-Star Alignment Procedure Easy Two-Star AlignmentTo Calculate Sunset time Using the Guided Tour Observing ExercisesGo To Saturn Autostar Menus Complete Autostar Menu StructureObject Menu Event Menu Utilities Menu Glossary MenuSurf the Web Setup MenuMenu Daylight Saving, Advanced Features Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentSlew Speeds Photography with the ETX Observing a SatelliteFew tips on photography with the ETX-60AT or ETX-70AT Instrument across the two slots and turn counAstrofinder Software Optional Accessories#882 Standard Field Tripod set in Alt/Az Configuration Inspecting the Optics Maintenance and ServicingGeneral Maintenance Storage and TransportMaintenance ETX-60AT/ETX-70AT Specifications Meade Customer ServiceETX-60AT/ETX-70AT Specifications contd Autostar SpecificationsAutostar Dimensions Appendix a Equatorial Polar Alignment Polar AlignmentCelestial Coordinates Two-Star Polar Alignment Autostar Polar AlignmentEasy Polar Alignment One-Star Polar AlignmentTo GO to a user-entered object Appendix B Using Autostar to Enter R.A. and DEC CoordinatesCity Country Latitude Appendix C Helpful ChartsLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World City State LatitudeIs centered Appendix D Training the DriveEnter Appendix E Initialization ExampleMoon Basic AstronomyAutostar Glossary Objects in SpaceDeep-Sky Objects PlanetsSeason Star Name Constellation Dec Star LocatorMeade Instruments Corporation

ETX-60AT specifications

The Meade ETX-60AT is a compact, portable telescope designed for amateur astronomers and budding astrophotographers. Known for its ease of use and exceptional optical performance, the ETX-60AT combines innovative technologies with user-friendly features, making it an ideal choice for stargazers of all skill levels.

One of the standout characteristics of the ETX-60AT is its 60mm aperture, which allows for impressive light-gathering capabilities. This telescope is equipped with a high-quality Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design that delivers sharp, clear images with minimal distortion. The multi-coated optics enhance light transmission, ensuring brighter images with better color fidelity, which is essential for planetary and deep-sky observations.

The telescope boasts a lightweight and compact design, making it highly portable for on-the-go astronomy. Weighing only about 4.5 pounds, the ETX-60AT comes with a sturdy, adjustable tripod that provides stable support during observation. The telescope is also equipped with a unique fork mount that includes Meade's AutoStar technology, allowing for automatic tracking of celestial objects. This feature is particularly beneficial for beginners, as it simplifies the process of locating and tracking stars and planets.

Meade’s AutoStar system is a highlight of the ETX-60AT, featuring a database with thousands of celestial objects. This intelligent computer control allows users to simply input the desired object, and the telescope will automatically position itself accordingly. The intuitive hand controller enhances the viewing experience by offering guided tours of the night sky, enabling users to discover and appreciate various astronomical wonders, from the moon and planets to distant galaxies and star clusters.

The ETX-60AT also includes a diagonal mirror, which provides comfortable viewing angles and helps in locating objects above the horizon with ease. The telescope comes with a variety of eyepieces, enhancing versatility and giving users options for different magnifications based on their observing needs.

In addition to its impressive optical and technological features, the Meade ETX-60AT is built with durability in mind. The telescope's construction withstands environmental challenges, allowing users to explore the night sky in a range of conditions.

Overall, the Meade ETX-60AT offers an outstanding balance of performance, portability, and user-friendliness, making it a perfect introductory telescope for amateur astronomers. Whether you are a seasoned observer or just starting your journey into astronomy, the ETX-60AT provides a reliable platform for exploring the universe.