Meade ETX-80AT-TC instruction manual ETX Your Personal Window to the Universe

Caution:

Using products other than standard Meade accessories may cause damage to the telescope’s internal electronics and may void the Meade warranty.

Fig. 4a: Flip mirror control in the “up” position.

Fig. 4b: Flip mirror control in the “down” position.

ETX: Your Personal Window to the Universe

The Meade ETX-80AT is an extremely versatile, high-resolution telescope with features similar to those once available only with larger and more specialized imaging systems. With pushbut- ton 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 structure of an eagle from 50 yards or study the rings of the planet Saturn from a distance of 800 million miles. Focus beyond the Solar System and observe majestic nebulae, ancient star clusters, remote galaxies, and even stars recently discovered to have planets orbiting about them. Meade ETX telescopes are instruments fully capable of growing with your interest and are ideal for both the casual observer and serious astronomer alike.

bEyepiece: Place the MA 25mm or other eyepiece into the 90° Eyepiece Holder (3, Fig. 1) and tighten in place with thumbscrew (2, Fig.1).

cEyepiece Holder Thumbscrew: Secures the eyepiece. Tighten to a "firm feel" only.

d90° Eyepiece Holder: Holds the eyepiece upright for easy viewing.

ERear Cell Port: Attach any 35mm camera with a removable lens to this port using an optional #64ST T-Adapter.

FFlip Mirror Control: ETX telescopes include an internal mirror. With the flip mirror control

in the “Up” position, light is diverted to the eyepiece in the 90° eyepiece holder (3, Fig. 1). With the flip mirror control in the down position, light is diverted through the rear cell port (4, Fig. 1) for use with a camera for photography. See Figs. 4a and 4b.

GFlip Barlow: Flip the switch to engage the Barlow. The Barlow doubles the magnification of your eyepiece. You may have to turn the focus knob several times to refocus. See page 14 for more information.

HBattery Compartment: Install batteries in this compartment. See Step #7, page 13 for more information.

IFork Arms: Hold the optical tube in place.

JOptical Tube: The main optical component that gathers the light from distant objects and brings this light to a focus at the eyepiece.

1)Movable Objective Lens Cell: This component contains the telescope’s lenses. The focus knob (15, Fig. 1) moves the cell for precise image focus.

1! Base/Bolt Hole for Tripod Bolts: Thread the tripod bolts up through the tripod and into the two holes in the base.

1@ 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.

1# 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.

1$ 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

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