Quick-Start Guide .......................................................... 4
Telescope Features ...................................................... 6
Autostar Features .......................................................... 9
Getting Started ..............................................................12
Parts Listing..............................................................12
How to Assemble Your Telescope & Tripod..............12
Attaching and Using the Viewfinder..........................13
Focusing and Aligning the Viewfinder ......................14
Choosing an Eyepiece..............................................15
Observing ......................................................................16
Observing by Moving the Telescope Manually ........16
Terrestrial Observing ................................................16
Observing Using Autostar's Arrow Keys ..................16
Slew Speeds ............................................................17
Astronomical Observing, Observe the Moon............17
To Track an Object Automatically..............................17
Moving Through Autostar’s Menus......................17
Initializing Autostar ..............................................18
Easy (Two-Star) Align..........................................18
Observe a Star Using Automatic Tracking..........20
Go To Saturn............................................................20
Using the Guided Tour..............................................21
Basic Autostar Operation................................................22
Autostar Navigation Exercise....................................22
Entering Data, Navigating Autostar..........................23
Autostar Menus ............................................................24
Menu Tree ................................................................24
Objects Menu............................................................25
Event Menu, Glossary Menu....................................26
Utilities Menu............................................................27
Setup Menu ..............................................................28
Advanced Autostar Features..........................................31
Adding Observing Sites ............................................31
Finding Objects Not in the Database........................32
Observing Satellites..................................................32
Create Your Own Guided Tour..................................33
Landmarks................................................................36
Identify ......................................................................37
Advanced Alt/Az Alignment Methods........................38
Browse......................................................................39
Photography ..................................................................40
Photography with Autostar Suite..............................42
Optional Accessories......................................................43
Maintenance ..................................................................45
Troubleshooting ......................................................46
Specifications ................................................................48
Appendix A: Equatorial (Polar) Alignment ......................51
Equatorial Alignment, Celestial Coordinates............51
Polar Mounting with #884 Deluxe Field Tripod ........51
Equatorial Mounting Procedure................................52
To Track a Star When Polar Mounted......................52
Autostar Polar Alignment Modes..............................53
Locating the Celestial Pole ......................................53
Setting Circles ..........................................................54
Appendix B: Latitude Chart............................................55
Appendix C: Training the Drive......................................56
Appendix D: Basic Astronomy........................................57
CONTENTSWARNING!
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 in the
orientation indicated by illustration in the
battery slots of the battery compartment.
Follow battery manufacturer's precautions.
Do not install batteries backwards 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 telescope
for the first time, read the QUICK-START
GUIDE on pages 4 and 5.
®The name "Meade," “ETX,” “Autostar” and the Meade logo
are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent Office and in
principal countries throughout the world.
Patents:
US 6,304,376
US 6,392,799
US 6,563,636
D 422,610
Patent Pending
©2004 Meade Instruments Corporation.