Meade ETX-90PE Computer Control Panel see Fig, Definitions, Alt/Az, Right Ascension

Definitions

Throughout this manual, you will notice the terms

"Alt/Az," "Right Ascension," and

"Declination." Alt/Az or more properly, altazimuth, is frequently used to refer to altitude or Declination (the up-and-down vertical movement of the telescope) and azimuth or Right Ascension (the side-to-side horizontal movement of the telescope). Right Ascension is abbreviated as "R.A." and Declination as "Dec."

Fig. 3a: Flip mirror control in the “up” position.

Fig. 3b: Flip mirror control in the “down” position.

1* Want to learn more about

aligning the SmartFinder?

See pages 13.

1( 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 during the observing session has evaporated prior to replacing the dust cap. Do not overtighten.

jHorizontal (R.A.) Lock: Controls the manual horizontal rotation of the telescope. Loosen the horizontal lock counterclockwise to unlock the telescope, enabling it to be freely rotated by hand about the horizontal axis. Tightening the horizontal lock clockwise prevents the telescope from being rotated manually, but engages the hor- izontal motor drive clutch for AutoStar operation. When polar aligned, the horizon-

tal lock serves as the Right Ascension or R.A. lock.

1)Computer Control Panel (see Fig. 2)

A.ON/OFF Switch: Turns the Computer Control Panel and AutoStar handbox ON or OFF.

Note: Always remove the batteries if they are not to be used for a long period of time.

B.Auxiliary (AUX) Ports (2): Provide connection for current and future Meade accessories. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 42.

C.Handbox (HBX) Port: Plug the AutoStar handbox into this port.

D.12v: The 12v connector is designed to accept an external power supply such as the optional #541 AC Adapter or the #607 Power Cord (see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 42). When one of the external power supply options is used, the internal batteries are disconnected from the power circuit.

E.LED: The red power indicator light illuminates when power is supplied to the connected handbox and to the telescope’s motor drive.

1! Base Housing: Supports the telescope for placement on a flat, level surface, such as a tabletop or tripod.

1@ Battery Compartment (not shown, underneath base): Install eight user-supplied AA batteries in this compartment. See page 12 for more information.

1# Right Ascension (R.A.) Setting Circle: See page 53 for detailed information.

1$ Flip-Mirror and Flip-Mirror Control Knobs: ETX telescopes include an internal mirror. With the flip-mirror control in the “up” position, as shown in Fig. 3a, light is diverted to the eyepiece. With the flip-mirror control in the “down” position, as shown in Fig. 3b, light proceeds straight out the photo port for photography. See PHOTOGRAPHY, page 39.

Note: The flip-mirror control is in the “up” position when the control is vertical (perpendicular to the telescope tube). To place the flip-mirror in the “down” position, turn the control until it is horizontal.

1% Photo Port: Attach any 35mm camera with a removable lens to this port using an optional #64ST T-Adapter or attach the #932 Erecting Prism for correctly oriented images through the eyepiece. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 42.

1^ Declination (Dec.) Setting Circle (on left fork arm): See page 53 for detailed information.

1& SmartFinder Alignment Screws: Adjust these screws to align the SmartFinder. See pages 13 and 14 for more information.

1* LNT (Level North Technology) Module: This assembly has sensors which auto- matically points the telescope North, and detects the level and tilt of the telescope during automatic alignment. See page 17 for more information about Automatic Alignment. The LNT bracket also contains a LNT Module which supplies the time and date to AutoStar. The time is set at the factory. See ATOMIC TIME UPDATE MODULE PORT below.

1( ATOMIC TIME UPDATE MODULE Port: Attach Meade’s ATOMIC TIME UPDATE MODULE optional accessory into this port. Your telescope’s time is set at the fac- tory before it is shipped, but the ATOMIC TIME UPDATE MODULE allows your tele- scope to update the time module from the NIST atomic clock in Fort Collins, Colorado.

2)Dust Cap: Unthread the dust cap counterclockwise from the front lens of the telescope.

8