Meade ETX-80AT-TC Maintenance and Servicing, General Maintenance, Storage and Transport

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MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING

General Maintenance

The ETX-80AT telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime of reward- ing applications. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, your telescope will rarely require factory servicing or maintenance. Maintenance guidelines include:

1.Avoid cleaning the telescope’s optics. A little dust on the front surface of the telescope’s correcting lens causes virtually no degradation of image quality and should not be con- sidered reason to clean the lens.

2.When absolutely necessary, dust on the front lens should be removed with gentle strokes of a camel hair brush or blown off with an ear syringe (available at any pharmacy). Do not use a commercial photographic lens cleaner.

3.Organic materials (e.g., fingerprints) on the front lens may be removed with a solution of 3 parts distilled water to 1 part isopropyl alcohol. A single drop of biodegradable dish- washing soap may be added per pint of solution. Use soft, white facial tissues and make short, gentle strokes. Change tissues often.

CAUTION: Do not use scented, colored, or lotioned tissues as damage could result to the optics.

4.If your telescope is used outdoors on a humid night, telescope surfaces may accumulate water condensation. While such condensation does not normally cause any damage to the telescope, it is recommended that the entire telescope be wiped down with a dry cloth before being packed away. Do not, however, wipe any of the optical surfaces. Rather, sim- ply allow the telescope to sit for some time in warm indoor air, so that the wet optical sur- faces can dry unattended. In addition, the dust cap should not be placed back on to the optical tube until the telescope is thoroughly dry.

5If your telescope is not to be used for an extended period, perhaps for one month or more, it is advisable to remove the six AB-size batteries from inside the drive base. Batteries left installed for prolonged periods may leak, causing damage to the telescope’s electronic cir- cuitry. See TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY, page 13.

6.Do not leave your telescope outdoors on a warm day or inside a sealed car for an extend- ed period of time. Excessive ambient temperatures can damage the telescope’s internal lubrication and electronic circuitry.

7.A (English-format) hex wrench is provided with the ETX-80AT. Use the wrench to tighten the set-screws of any knobs which may loosen, such as the horizontal lock knob or focus knob.

Storage and Transport

When not in use, store the telescope 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 (13 and 14, Fig. 1) in the unlocked positions. If shipping the telescope, use the original box and packing material to protect the telescope during shipment.

When transporting the telescope, take care not to bump or drop the instrument; this type of abuse can damage the optical tube and/or the objective lens. It is highly recommended to use the optional Hard Case to transport the telescope. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 32.

Inspecting the Optics

A Note About the “Flashlight Test": If a flashlight or other high-intensity light source is point- ed down the main telescope tube, the view (depending upon the observer’s line of sight and the angle of the light) may reveal what appears to be scratches, dark or bright spots, or uneven coatings, giving the appearance of poor quality optics. These effects are only seen when a high intensity light is transmitted through the lens or reflected off the mirror, and can be seen on any high quality optical system, including giant research telescopes.

The optical quality of a telescope cannot be judged by the “flashlight test"; the true test of opti- cal quality can only be conducted through careful star testing.

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Contents MEADE.COM ETX-80AT-TCPage Contents QUICK-START Guide Setting up the TripodObserve ETX-80AT Telescope Telescope Features@ 2# Flip mirror control in the up position ETX Your Personal Window to the UniverseTripod Computer Control PanelTour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button Autostar FeaturesPage Join an Astronomy Club Attend a Star Party Telescope Assembly Setting up the Tripod Parts ListingGetting Started Connect the AutoStar HandboxManual Operation of the Telescope without AutoStar Choosing an EyepieceSlew Speeds Manual Operation of the Telescope Using AutoStars Arrow KeysTo Track an Object Automatically Observe the MoonMoving Through AutoStar’s Menus Initializing AutoStarToo Much Power? Go To Saturn Easy AlignmentWhich One’s the Alignment Star? Using the Guided TourIngvSa e Daylight pesco Tel Autostar MenusAutoStar Navigation Exercise Autostar OperationAdjusting the Speed of a Scrolling Message Entering Numbers and Text into AutostarNavigating Autostar Object Menu Event Menu Glossary MenuUtilities Menu Enter Setup MenuReverse UP/DOWN Reverses Reverse L/R ReversesMenu Daylight SAVING, Advanced Features Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment One-Star Alt/Az AlignmentObserving a Satellite Photography with Meade’s AutoStar Suite Digital Photography with the ETXLunar Planetary Imager Meade Series 4000 Super Plossl Eyepieces Optional AccessoriesGeneral Maintenance Maintenance and ServicingStorage and Transport Inspecting the OpticsCannot seem to focus No image appears in the eyepiece TroubleshootingETX-80AT Specifications Meade Customer ServiceAutoStar Specifications AutoStar DimensionsTo GO to a user-entered object Appendix a Using Autostar to Enter R.A. and DEC CoordinatesAppendix B Equatorial Polar Alignment Polar AlignmentCelestial Coordinates Easy Polar Alignment Autostar Polar AlignmentOne-Star Polar Alignment Two-Star Polar AlignmentLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World Appendix C Helpful ChartsCity State Latitude City Country LatitudeFurther Study Appendix D Training the DriveAutoStar Glossary Appendix E Basic AstronomyObjects in Space MoonDeep-Sky Objects PlanetsPage Meade Limited Warranty

ETX-80AT-TC specifications

The Meade ETX-80AT-TC is a sophisticated yet user-friendly telescope that caters to both novice astronomers and seasoned stargazers. This compact telescope is particularly praised for its portability, making it an ideal choice for those who wish to explore the night sky without the burden of heavy equipment.

One of the standout features of the ETX-80AT-TC is its 80mm aperture, which delivers impressive light-gathering capabilities. This allows users to observe a wide range of celestial objects, from the craters on the Moon to distant galaxies. The telescope’s Achromatic refractor design minimizes chromatic aberration, ensuring sharp and clear images across the field of view.

The Meade ETX-80AT-TC is equipped with the AutoStar computer control system, which enhances the observational experience significantly. This technology allows users to locate and track thousands of celestial objects with ease. With a simple push of a button, the telescope can automatically find and track planets, stars, and deep-sky objects, making it perfect for those who are new to astronomy and may find manual navigation challenging.

Additionally, the telescope features a built-in Solar System tour that animates a journey through the solar system, providing educational insights about the celestial bodies in our neighborhood. It is operated via a user-friendly handheld controller with a numeric keypad and an LCD display, making navigation intuitive even for beginners.

The ETX-80AT-TC also includes a durable and lightweight design, with an integrated tabletop tripod for stable viewing. It can be easily set up and taken down, allowing for spontaneous stargazing adventures. The telescope is compatible with various Meade accessories, including additional eyepieces and filters, which further enhance the observing experience.

In terms of mechanics, the ETX-80AT-TC boasts smooth, slow-motion manual controls for fine adjustments and a flip mirror for easy switching between visual and photographic modes. Whether capturing breathtaking astrophotos or enjoying the stars visually, this telescope delivers versatility and quality.

Overall, the Meade ETX-80AT-TC stands out with its thoughtful combination of features, technology, and portability, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore the wonders of the night sky. Whether you are a budding astronomer or a more experienced enthusiast, this telescope provides ample opportunities for wonder and discovery under the stars.
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