Meade ETX-90EC instruction manual CONTENTSz3

Page 3

CONTENTSz3

WARNING!

Never use a Meade® ETX® Astro Telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye damage is often painless, so there is no warning to the observer that damage has occurred until it is too late. Do not point the telescope or its viewfinder at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope or its viewfinder as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing.

CAUTION: Use care to install batteries as indicated by the battery compartment. Follow battery manufacturers precautions. Do not install batteries backward or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batteries void your Meade warranty.

If you are anxious to use your ETX Astro Telescope for the first time, before a thorough reading of this instruction manual, see the Quick-Start Guide on page 4.

Quick-Start Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Chapter 1: Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

The Electronic Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Parts Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Telescope Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Quick Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Telescope Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Computer Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Electronic Controller Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

First Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Observing with the Electronic Controller . . . .7

The Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Focusing the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Aligning the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Using the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Chapter 2: Telescope Fundamentals . . . . . . . . .9

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Choosing an Eyepiece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Understanding Magnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Telescope Mountings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Terrestrial Observing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Astronomical Observing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Sidereal Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Slew Speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

The Electronic Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Modes of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Using the Mode Screws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Electronic Controller Modes . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Chapter 3: Polar Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Celestial Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Locating the Celestial Pole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Polar Alignment Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Chapter 4: Observing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Objects in Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

The Moon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Planets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Deep-Sky Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Photography with Both ETX Models . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Chapter 5: Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . .16

Chapter 6: Maintenance and Servicing . . . . .19

General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Storage and Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Inspecting the Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Meade Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Telescope Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Appendix A: Tracking Motor Speed . . . . . . . .22

Appendix B: Helpful Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World . . .23 Star Locator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

®The name “Meade,” the Meade logo, and “ETX” are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent Office and in principal countries throughout the world. All rights reserved.

© 2000 Meade Instruments Corporation.

Appendix C: Precise Polar Alignment;

Setting Circles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Precise Polar Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Setting Circles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Appendix D: Road Map to the Stars . . . . . . . .25

Appendix E: You and the Universe . . . . . . . . .26

Page 2 Page 4
Image 3
Page 2 Page 4
Contents Meade Instruments Corporation Eyepiece holder thumbscrew Eyepiece ViewfinderCONTENTSz3 Slew Speed GuideIntroduction Assembly InstructionsParts List Getting StartedComputer Control Panel Telescope FeaturesQuick Tips Telescope ControlsGetting STARTEDz First ObservationsObserving with the Electronic Controller Aligning the Viewfinder Focusing the ViewfinderUsing the Viewfinder ViewfinderTelescope Mountings Telescope FundamentalsChoosing an Eyepiece Understanding MagnificationSlew Speeds Terrestrial ObservingAstronomical Observing Sidereal RateModes of Operation Using the Mode ScrewsTelescope FUNDAMENTALSz Electronic ControllerPolar Alignment Procedure Celestial CoordinatesLocating the Celestial Pole Standard Tripod Leg ETX-125EC Latitude Balance Weight is recommended ifStandard Tripod Leg ETX-90EC High-Latitude Tripod Leg ETX-90ECPlanets Chapterz4 ObservingObjects in Space MoonOBSERVINGz Photography with Both ETX ModelsFew tips on photography with both ETX models ETX-125EC Optional Accessories2X Barlow Power Astro Software/Cable Connector KitOptional Accessories #1244 and #1247 Electric Focusers OPTIONALz AccessoriesStorage and Transport MAINTENANCEz and ServicingGeneral Maintenance TroubleshootingMeade Customer Service Maintenance and ServicingSpecifications ETX-125EC Astro Telescope Specifications ETX-90EC Astro TelescopeLight Off Northern Hemisphere Polar Indicator Light KeyAppendix Atracking Motor Speed LightCity State Latitude Appendix B Helpful ChartsLatitude Chart for Major Cities of the World Star Locator24Appendix C Precise POLARz Alignment Setting Circles Setting CirclesAppendix Precise Polar Alignment Road Map to the Stars Appendix D ROADMAPzTO the StarsAppendix E YOU and the Universe Distances between the planetsMeade Limited Warranty Meade Instruments Corporation

ETX-90EC specifications

The Meade ETX-90EC is a compact, portable telescope that has garnered significant attention among amateur astronomers for its exceptional optical performance and user-friendly design. Launched as part of Meade's popular ETX series, this telescope blends advanced technology with accessibility, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced users.

One of the standout features of the ETX-90EC is its Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design. This design incorporates a spherical primary mirror and a corrector lens which contributes to sharp images with minimal optical aberrations. The 90mm aperture allows users to observe a variety of celestial objects, from the craters on the Moon to distant galaxies, while maintaining a compact form factor. The telescope's focal length of 1250mm provides a substantial level of magnification, enabling users to enjoy detailed views of planets and other astronomical phenomena.

The ETX-90EC boasts a robust computerized system, powered by Meade's Audio Star technology. This feature not only assists users in locating over 30,000 celestial objects with just a few simple commands, but it also provides educational audio information about these objects, enhancing the observational experience. The telescope's GoTo capabilities allow it to automatically point to selected objects, transforming the stargazing process into an interactive and informative experience.

Another significant aspect of the ETX-90EC is its portability. Weighing in at under 10 pounds and featuring a foldable design, this telescope is easy to transport and set up in various locations. This makes it ideal for both backyard astronomy and travel to darker skies where light pollution is minimal.

The ETX-90EC also incorporates an electronic drive system that ensures smooth and precise tracking of celestial objects, which is invaluable for astrophotography enthusiasts. With optional accessories, users can attach cameras and other devices to capture stunning images of deep-sky phenomena.

Overall, the Meade ETX-90EC combines advanced optics, user-friendly technology, and portability, making it a versatile and powerful tool for exploring the night sky. Whether you are a novice looking to kickstart your journey into astronomy or a seasoned observer seeking a reliable companion, the ETX-90EC offers a unique blend of performance and convenience that appeals to a wide range of stargazers.
Top Page Image Contents