Instruction Manual

ETX-80AT-TC

MEADE.COM

CONTENTS

WARNING!
Never use a Meade 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.
Quick-Start Guide... 4 Telescope Features.. 6 AutoStar Features...10 Getting Started..13 Parts Listing..13 Telescope/Tripod Assembly..13 Choosing an Eyepiece...14 Manual Operation of the Telescope w/out AutoStar.14 Manual Operation of the Telescope with AutoStar.15 Slew Speeds..15 Observe the Moon..16 To Track an Object Automatically..16 Moving Through AutoStars Menus.16 Initializing AutoStar..16 Easy Alignment...18 Go To Saturn..18 Using the Guided Tour...19 AutoStar Menus..20 Menu Tree...20 AutoStar Operation...21 AutoStar Navigation Exercise..21 Entering Data, Moving Through AutoStars Menus.22 Objects Menu..23 Event Menu..24 Glossary Menu...24 Utilities Menu..24 Setup Menu..25 Advanced AutoStar Operation..28 Terrestrial Observing, Astronomical Observing.28 Sidereal Rate..28 Advanced Alt/Az Alignment Methods.28 Observing Satellites..29 Digital Photography with the ETX..30 Optional Accessories..32 Maintenance...33 Troubleshooting...34 Specifications...35 Appendix A: Using AutoStar to Enter Coordinates.36 Appendix B: Polar Alignment..37 Appendix C: Latitude Chart..39 Appendix D: Training the Drive..40 Appendix E: Basic Astronomy..41
CAUTION: Use care to install batteries in the orientation indicated by illustration in the battery slots of the battery holder. 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 page 4.
The name Meade, the Meade logo, and ETX are trademarks registered with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office and in principal countries throughout the world. All rights reserved. Patents: US 6,392,799 and other patents pending. 2005 Meade Instruments Corporation.

QUICK-START GUIDE

Setting up the Tripod 1. Open the tripod: Remove the tripod from the giftbox and stand vertically. Gently pull the legs apart to a fully open position. Turn the center tripod lock knob to secure and stabilize the tripod. Tighten to a firm feel. Caution: Make sure you loosen the tripod lock knob before collapsing the tripod at the end of your viewing session. 2. Loosen the vertical lock and move the optical tube downward. Then, re-tighten the vertical lock.
Step 1: Open tripod.and tighten lock ring.
3. Attach the telescope to the tripod: Line up the mounting holes on the telescope with the mounting holes on the base. Reach underneath and thread the mounting bolt through the tripod base and into the telescope base. Tighten to a firm feel only, do not overtighten. Note: If you wish to attach the accessory tray to the tripod, see page 13 for more information. It is not necessary to attach the tray for the quick start procedure. 4. Insert the eyepiece: Remove the supplied 25mm eyepiece from its container and slide it into the eyepiece holder. Tighten the thumbscrews to a firm feel only.
Step 2: Loosen vertical lock to move optical tube.
5. Remove the dust cover from the end of optical tube assembly. 6. Use the focus knob to bring objects into focus. Your telescope has a very precise focus control. You may need to turn the focus knob 20 to 40 turns to focus your telescope for the first time. Always start observing using a low power eyepiece (such as a 25mm or 26mm eyepiece) to get a nice wide field of view. Later on you can change to high power, if so desired. But high powered eyepieces have a much narrower field of view and its more difficult to locate objects using high powered eyepieces.

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

H I J 1)

Fig. 4b: Flip mirror control in the down position.
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.
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
Focus Knob: Moves the telescopes objective lens (10, Fig. 1) in a finely-controlled motion to focus an image. The ETX-80AT telescope can be focused on objects from a distance of about 17 ft. to infinity. Rotate the focus knob clockwise to focus on distant objects, and counterclockwise to focus on nearby objects. Note: The first time you focus the telescope, you may have to rotate the focus knob 20 to 40 complete turns as this is a fine focus mechanism which allows you to focus an image very precisely.
Computer Control Panel: A. Handbox (HBX) Port: Plug the AutoStar coil cord (8, Fig. 5) into this port. B. LED: The red power indicator light illuminates when power is supplied to the AutoStar handbox and to the telescopes motor drive. C. ON/OFF Switch: Turns the Computer Control Panel and AutoStar ON or OFF. D. Auxiliary (AUX) Port: Provides connection for current and future Meade accessories, such as the Meade AstroFinder Software with Cable Connector Kit, which allows you to control your ETX from a PC. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 32.

1& 1* 1(

Base Housing: Contains mechanical and electrical assemblies that operate the telescope. AutoStar with attached cord: features. See pages 10 to 12 for a description of AutoStars

Manual Operation of the Telescope without AutoStar
If you wish to observe a distant land object, such as a mountain top or a bird, you can observe by merely pointing the telescope and looking through the eyepiece. Assemble the telescope, loosen the horizontal and vertical locks (13 and 14, Fig. 1), and turn the telescope towards the object you wish to observe. Sight along the top of the tube until you find the object. When the object appears in the eyepiece, focus the image using the by turning the focus knob (15, Fig. 1). Rotate the knob clockwise to focus on distant objects and counterclockwise to focus on nearby objects. You can also observe stars and objects in the night sky using this method, but note that objects begin to slowly drift across the eyepiece field. This motion is caused by the rotation of the Earth. As you become familiar with AutoStar operation, you can counteract the drift using the automatic tracking feature in the Setup menu (see TO TRACK AN OBJECT AUTOMATICALLY, page 16), or by using AutoStar's GO TO capabilities (see GO TO SATURN, page 18). Sight along the top of the telescopes tube to line up objects for viewing in the eyepiece. See Fig. 13. Fig. 13: Sight along the top of the optical tube.
Manual Operation of the Telescope Using AutoStar's Arrow Keys
You may also observe land and astronomical objects using AutoStar's Arrow keys. If you have not already done so, prepare your telescope following the steps described in TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY, page 13. Next, flip the On/Off Switch (C, Fig. 1b) on the computer control panel to the ON position. The copyright message lights on AutoStars display. Press the Speed/? key (7, Fig. 5) to accept the Sun warning. The "Getting Started" message displays. Keep pressing the ENTER key until "Country/State" appears on the display. (Ignore the prompts requesting "Date" and "Time" for now these functions will be explained later in the manual). Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of countries/states. Press ENTER when your location displays. Next, use the Scroll keys to scroll to the nearest city to your observing site and press ENTER. Next, use the Scroll keys to scroll to your telescope model and press ENTER. The display then reads "Setup: Align." You can now use the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 5) to slew (move) the telescope up, down, right, or left. To change the telescopes slew speed, briefly press the Speed/? key (7, Fig. 5). Each press decreases the slew speed down one level, and then cycles back to the fastest speed. See page 15 for more information. Tighten (to a "firm feel" only, do not overtighten) the vertical and horizontal locks (13 and 14, Fig. 1). Sight along the side of the telescopes main tube to locate an object and practice using the AutoStars Arrow keys to center the object in the telescopes field of view. Use the telescopes focus knob (15, Fig. 1) to bring the object into focus. This procedure demonstrates just a very small part of AutoStar's capabilities. In the next section of this manual, you will begin to learn how to make use of AutoStar's extensive and powerful features.

Easy Alignment

After you initialize the system, AutoStar displays Easy Align. The fastest and easiest way to start observing with AutoStar is with Easy Alignment. During Easy Alignment, AutoStar automatically picks two alignment stars from its database of celestial objects. It will then slew the telescope to a first alignment star. The user is asked to verify that the telescope is pointed at the chosen star and then to center the star in the eyepiece. The process is repeated with a second star to complete the alignment. 1. 2. Select Alignment: Align Easy displays. Press ENTER. Set Home Position: AutoStar then prompts you to set the telescope in the Alt/Az Alignment home position (see margin note and Figs. 15 and 16). To set your telescope in the "Alt/Az" home position: Loosen the telescopes vertical lock (13, Fig. 1). Level the optical tube with the horizon. Move the optical tube until the pointer points at approximately 0 on the setting circle (Fig. 15). Tighten the vertical lock to a "firm feel" only. Unlock the horizontal lock (14, Fig. 1) and turn the telescope horizontally until it points North. Re-lock the horizontal lock. Remove the 45 prism and eyepiece from the rear cell port. It may interfere with the alignment procedure. After alignment, you may replace the prism and eyepiece. Press ENTER.

Declination at 0

Pointer
Center Alignment Stars: The AutoStar then slews to the first star for alignment. It may not appear in the field of view in the eyepiece. The alignment star should be easily recognized and be the brightest star in the area of the sky where the telescope is pointing. Use the Arrow keys to move the telescope until the star is visible and centered in the eyepiece. Press ENTER. Repeat procedure for the second alignment star. NOTE: AutoStar locates alignment stars based on the date, time, and location entered. The alignment stars may change from night to night. All that is required is for the observer to center the selected stars in the eyepiece when prompted. Note: The GO TO key also allows you to perform a "spiral search." A spiral search is useful when the telescope slews to an object, but that object is not visible in the eyepiece after the telescope finishes it search. (This sometimes occurs during an alignment procedure.) Press GO TO when the slew is finished and the telescope starts slewing in a spiral pattern at a very slow speed around the search area. Look through the eyepiece and when the object does become visible, press MODE to stop the spiral search.Then use the Arrow keys to center the object.

Alarm selects a time for an alarm signal as a reminder. To use the Alarm, press ENTER, then choose "Set" or "Start/Stop."
Set: Enter the time of day for the alarm to sound, in hours, minutes, and seconds, then press ENTER. Start/Stop: Activates the alarm set previously. Use the Scroll keys to toggle between ON and OFF. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to activate the alarm. When the alarm time arrives, Autostar beeps. Press ENTER to deactivate the alarm.
Eyepiece Calc calculates information about an eyepiece for the specific telescope to which Autostar is connected.
Field of View: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is selected, the field of view is calculated. Magnification: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is selected, the magnification is calculated. Suggest: Autostar calculates and suggests the best eyepiece for viewing, based on the telescope and the object being viewed.
Display Options enables or disables Autostars two initial displays. If both displays are disabled, Autostar begins with the Date display. { Sun Warning: Turns the Sun Warning message on or off.
Getting Started: Turns the Getting Started message on or off.
Brightness Adj: Adjusts the brightness of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press ENTER. Contrast Adj: Adjusts the contrast of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press ENTER. NOTE: This feature is usually only required in very cold weather. Beep: Turns the beep on or off. Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts down Autostar and the telescope without forgetting its alignment. With "Sleep Scope" selected, press ENTER to activate the Sleep function. Autostar goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running. Press any key, except ENTER, to reactivate Autostar and the telescope. Park Scope is designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. Next time it is powered up, enter the correct date and time no alignment is required. Pressing ENTER causes the telescope to move to its pre-determined Park position. Once parked, the screen prompts to turn off power. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the "Park Scope" option is chosen and the display prompts you to turn off the telescope's power, Autostar is unable to be returned to operation without turning the power off and then back on. Cord Wrap, when set to "On," moves the telescope in such a way as to prevent the cords and cables attached to your telescope assembly from getting wound around the assembly and tangled as the telescope slews to objects. "Off" is the default setting.

Setup Menu

The Setup menus primary function is to align the telescope (see EASY ALIGN, page 18). However, there are numerous other features available within the Setup menu, including:

Fig 27: #827 Right-Angle Viewfinder.
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING

General Maintenance

The ETX-80AT telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding 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 telescopes optics. A little dust on the front surface of the telescopes correcting lens causes virtually no degradation of image quality and should not be considered reason to clean the lens. 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. 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 dishwashing 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, simply allow the telescope to sit for some time in warm indoor air, so that the wet optical surfaces can dry unattended. In addition, the dust cap should not be placed back on to the optical tube until the telescope is thoroughly dry. If 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 telescopes electronic circuitry. See TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY, page 13. Do not leave your telescope outdoors on a warm day or inside a sealed car for an extended period of time. Excessive ambient temperatures can damage the telescopes internal lubrication and electronic circuitry. 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

Cannot seem to focus (No image appears in the eyepiece): Keep turning the focus knob. Your ETX telescope has a fine focusing mechanism which allows you to focus an image very precisely. However, this means that you may have to rotate the focus knob 20 to 40 complete turns to achieve focus, particularly the first time you use your telescope. After that, fewer turns will be needed. Still unable to see an image through the eyepiece: Confirm that the dust cap has been removed from the telescope. Confirm that the flip-mirror control (5, Fig. 1) is in the up position (Fig. 4a) if using the eyepiece holder (3, Fig. 1) so that light is directed to the eyepiece (1, Fig. 1). Confirm that the flip-mirror control is in the down position (Fig. 4b) if using the #933 Erecting Prism.
Slew speed does not change when the Speed/? key is pressed, or the telescope moves slowly even though the fast slew speed is chosen: The battery power may be low. See TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY, page 13. Images through the eyepiece appear unfocused or distorted: The magnification used may be too high for the seeing conditions. Back off to a lower power eyepiece. See TOO MUCH POWER?, page 17. If inside a warm house or building, move outside. Interior air conditions may distort terrestrial or celestial images, making it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a sharp focus. For optimal viewing, use the telescope outside in the open air instead of observing through an open or closed window or screen. If viewing a land object on a warm day, heat waves distort the image. The optics within the telescope need time to adjust to the outside ambient temperature to provide the sharpest image. To "cool down" the optics, set the telescope outside for 10 to 15 minutes before observing begins.
Telescope moves off a terrestrial object while observing: Verify that the vertical and horizontal locks have been tightened to a "firm feel" (13 and 14, Fig. 1). Telescope pauses when changing slew direction: This pause is normal.

Meade Customer Service

If you have a question concerning your ETX-80AT, contact the Meade Instruments Customer Service Department at: Telephone: (800) 626-3233 Customer Service hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. In the unlikely event that the ETX requires factory servicing or repairs, write or call the Meade Customer Service Department first, before returning the telescope to the factory, giving full particulars as to the nature of the problem, as well as your name, address, and daytime telephone number. The great majority of servicing issues can be resolved by telephone, avoiding return of the telescope to the factory.

3. 4. 5.

To GO TO a user-entered object: 1. 2. 3. 4. With "User Object: Add" displayed, press the Scroll Up key once. "User Object: Select" displays. Press ENTER. Use the Scroll keys (if necessary) to scroll to the desired object. Press ENTER. The name of the object and the Right Ascension and Declination coordinates display. Press GO TO and the telescope slews to the object.
APPENDIX B: EQUATORIAL (POLAR) ALIGNMENT

Polar Alignment

The great majority of ETX-80AT owners will find it unnecessary ever to Polar align the telescope. With these ETX telescope models the standard-equipment Autostar controller allows the telescope to be used in the altazimuth (Alt/Az) orientation for all observing purpose. This section is included only for educational purposes, where the observer might wish to operate the analog setting circles (Fig. 28 and Fig. 29) in place of the digital setting circles built into the Autostar hand controller. Absent a desire to use the analog circles or simply to be informed about the use of the equatorial (Polaraligned) mount, reading of this appendix may be omitted.
North Celestial Pole (Vicinity of Polaris) +90 Dec. Star

ation clin De

Earths Rotation

Right Ascension

Celestial Equator 0 Dec.
South Celestial Pole -90 Dec.
Fig. 30: Celestial Sphere.
Fig. 28: Declination setting circle.
In Polar Alignment, the telescope is oriented so that the horizontal and vertical axes of the telescope are lined up with the celestial coordinate system. Polar Alignment requires the telescope to be mounted to the optional #884 Deluxe Field Tripod. In order to Polar align your telescope, it is essential to have an understanding of how and where to locate celestial objects as they move across the sky. This section provides a basic introduction to the terminology of Polar-aligned astronomy, and includes instructions for finding the celestial pole and for finding objects in the night sky using Declination and Right Ascension.
Fig. 29: Right Ascension setting circle.

Celestial Coordinates

Celestial objects are mapped according to a coordinate system on the Celestial Sphere (Fig. 30), an imaginary sphere surrounding Earth on which all stars appear to be placed. This celestial object mapping system is analogous to the Earth-based coordinate system of latitude and longitude. The poles of the celestial coordinate system are defined as those two points where the Earths rotational axis, if extended to infinity, North and South, intersect the celestial sphere. Thus, the North Celestial Pole (1, Fig. 30) is that point in the sky where an extension of the Earths axis through the North Pole intersects the celestial sphere. This point in the sky is located near the North Star, Polaris. In mapping the surface of the Earth, lines of longitude are drawn between the North and South Poles. Similarly, lines of latitude are drawn in an East-West direction, parallel to the Earths Equator. The Celestial Equator (2, Fig. 30) is a projection of the Earths Equator onto the celestial sphere. Just as on the surface of the Earth, in mapping the celestial sphere, imaginary lines have been drawn to form a coordinate grid. Thus, object positions on the Earths surface are specified by their latitude and longitude. For example, you could locate Los Angeles, California, by its latitude (+34) and longitude (118 West); similarly, you could locate the constellation Ursa Major (which includes the Big Dipper) by its general position on the celestial sphere: R.A.: 11hr; Dec: +50. Right Ascension: The celestial analog to Earth longitude is called Right Ascension, or R.A., and is measured in time on the 24 hour clock and shown in hours or hr," minutes or min," and seconds or sec," from an arbitrarily defined zero line of Right Ascension passing through the constellation Pegasus. Right Ascension coordinates range from 0hr 0min 0sec to 23hr 59min 59sec. Thus there are 24 primary lines of R.A., located at 15 degree intervals along the celestial equator. Objects located further and further East of the prime Right Ascension grid line, 0hr 0min 0sec, carry increasing R.A. coordinates. Declination: The celestial analog to Earth latitude is called Declination, or Dec, and is measured in degrees, arc-minutes and arc-seconds, e.g., 15 27' 33". Declination shown as North of the celestial equator is indicated with a + sign in front of the measurement,

Fig. 32: Polar One-Star Alignment.

Autostar Polar Alignment

Autostar provides three different methods for Polar Alignment:Easy, One-Star and Two-Star.In each method, the telescope is pointed at Polaris, which Autostar uses the star as a reference.

Easy Polar Alignment

Level: Intermediate to Advanced Polaris and two alignment stars are chosen by Autostar based on the date, time, and location entered.The rest of the procedure is identical to the Easy Alignment (Fig. 33).

One-Star Polar Alignment

Fig. 33: Polar Easy and TwoStar Alignment.
Polar Two-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky. Autostar provides a database of bright stars and one star from this database is chosen by the observer for alignment.Polaris is chosen by Autostar. The rest of the alignment procedure is identical to the Easy Alignment (Fig. 32). See EASY ALIGNMENT, page 18.

Two-Star Polar Alignment

Polar Two-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky. Autostar provides a database of bright stars and two stars from this database are chosen by the observer for alignment. Polaris is chosen by Autostar. The rest of the alignment procedure is identical to the Easy Two-Star Alt/Az: Alignment (Fig. 30). See EASY TWO-STAR ALIGNMENT, page 18.
APPENDIX C: HELPFUL CHARTS
Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World Latitudes of major cities around the world are listed below. To determine the latitude of an observing site not listed on the chart, locate the city closest to your site. Then follow the procedure below: Northern Hemisphere observers (N): If the site is over 70 miles (110 km) North of the listed city, add one degree for every 70 miles. If the site is over 70 miles South of the listed city, subtract one degree per 70 miles. Southern Hemisphere observers (S): If the site is over 70 miles North of the listed city, subtract one degree for every 70 miles. If the site is over 70 miles South of the listed city, add one degree per 70 miles.

UNITED STATES City

Albuquerque Anchorage Atlanta Boston Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Detroit Honolulu Jackson Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Miami Milwaukee Nashville New Orleans New York Oklahoma City Philadelphia Phoenix Portland Richmond Salt Lake City San Antonio San Diego San Francisco Seattle Washington Wichita

New Mexico Alaska Georgia Massachusetts Illinois Ohio Texas Colorado Michigan Hawaii Mississippi Missouri Nevada Arkansas California Florida Wisconsin Tennessee Louisiana New York Oklahoma Pennsylvania Arizona Oregon Virginia Utah Texas California California Washington District of Columbia Kansas

Latitude

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
SOUTH AMERICA City Country
Asuncion Brasilia Buenos Aires Montevideo Santiago Paraguay Brazil Argentina Uruguay Chile

34 S S S S S

ASIA City
Beijing Seoul Taipei Tokyo Victoria

Country

China South Korea Taiwan Japan Hong Kong

23 N N N N N

AFRICA City
Cairo Cape Town Rabat Tunis Windhoek
Egypt South Africa Morocco Tunisia Namibia

23 N S N N S

AUSTRALIA City
Adelaide Brisbane Canberra Alice Springs Hobart Perth Sydney Melbourne
South Australia Queensland New South Wales Northern Territory Tasmania Western Australia New South Wales Victoria

S S S S S S S S

EUROPE City
Amsterdam Athens Bern Copenhagen Dublin Frankfurt Glasgow Helsinki Lisbon London Madrid Oslo Paris Rome Stockholm Vienna Warsaw
Netherlands Greece Switzerland Denmark Ireland Germany Scotland Finland Portugal England Spain Norway France Italy Sweden Austria Poland
52 N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
APPENDIX D: TRAINING THE DRIVE
Train the telescope motors using AutoStar. Perform this procedure after RESET or if you are experiencing any pointing accuracy problems. Figure 33 depicts the complete Drive Training procedure.
Note: Use a terrestrial object, such as a telephone pole or lamp post, to train the drive. Complete this exer-
cise once every 3 to 6 months to maintain the highest level of telescope pointing accuracy.
Verify that AUTOSTAR INITIALIZATION is complete. Press MODE until Select Item is displayed.
Press > until it 12 is centered
Scope slews left. Bring target back to center using ENTER the Right Arrow key.

Further Study.

This manual gives only the briefest introduction to astronomy. If you are interested in pursuing further studies in astronomy, a few topics are suggested below that are worth reading up on. Try looking up some of these topics in AutoStars glossary. Also included below is a small sampling of books, magazines, and organizations that you might find helpful. Topics

Magazines 1. 2. Sky & Telescope Box 9111, Belmont, MA 02178 Astronomy Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187
Center reference 11 object.
Center target using Arrow keys.
Organizations: 1. Astronomical League Executive Secretary 5675 Real del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88012 The Astronomical Society of the Pacific 390 Ashton Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112 The Planetary Society 65 North Catalina Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
Figure 33: Training the Drive Procedure.
APPENDIX E: BASIC ASTRONOMY
In the early 17th century, Italian Scientist Galileo, using a crude telescope considerably smaller than the ETX-80AT, turned it to look towards the sky instead of distant trees and mountains. What he saw, and what he realized about what he saw, forever changed the way mankind thought of the universe. Imagine what it must have been like being the first human to see moons revolve around the planet Jupiter or to see the changing phases of Venus! Because of his observations, Galileo correctly realized Earth's movement and position around the Sun, and in doing so, gave birth to modern astronomy. Yet Galileo's telescope was so crude, he could not clearly make out the rings of Saturn. Galileo's discoveries laid the foundation for understanding the motion and nature of the planets, stars, and galaxies. Building on his foundation, Henrietta Leavitt determined how to measure the distance to stars; Edwin Hubble proposed a glimpse into the origin of the universe; Albert Einstein unraveled the relationship of time and light. Almost daily, using sophisticated successors to Galileo's crude telescope, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, more and more mysteries of the universe are being solved and understood. We are living in a golden age of astronomy. Unlike other sciences, astronomy welcomes contributions from amateurs. Much of the knowledge we have on subjects such as comets, meteor showers, variable stars, the Moon, and our solar system comes from observations made by amateur astronomers. So as you look through your Meade ETX telescope, keep in mind Galileo. To him, a telescope was not a mere machine of glass and metal, but something far more - a window through which the beating heart of the universe might be glimpsed, a fuse to set fire to mind and imagination. AutoStar Glossary Be sure to make use of AutoStars Glossary feature. The Glossary menu provides an alphabetical listing of definitions and descriptions of common astronomical terms. Access directly through the Glossary menu or through hypertext words embedded in AutoStar. See GLOSSARY MENU, page 24, for more information. Objects in Space Listed below are some of the many astronomical objects that can be seen with the ETX-80AT: The Moon The Moon is, on average, a distance of 239,000 miles (380,000km) from Earth and is best observed during its crescent or half phase when Sunlight strikes the Moons surface at an angle. It casts shadows and adds a sense of depth to the view (Fig. 34). No shadows are seen during a full Moon, causing the overly bright Moon to appear flat and rather uninteresting through the telescope. Be sure to use a neutral Moon filter when observing the Moon. Not only does it protect your eyes from the bright glare of the Moon, but it also helps enhance contrast, providing a more dramatic image. Using the ETX-80AT, brilliant detail can be observed on the Moon, including hundreds of lunar craters and maria, described below. Craters are round meteor impact sites covering most of the Moons surface. With no atmosphere on the Moon, no weather conditions exist, so the only erosive force is meteor strikes. Under these conditions, lunar craters can last for millions of years. Maria (plural for mare) are smooth, dark areas scattered across the lunar surface. These dark areas are large ancient impact basins that were filled with lava from the interior of the Moon by the depth and force of a meteor or comet impact. Twelve Apollo astronauts left their bootprints on the Moon in the late 1960's and early 1970's. However, no telescope on Earth is able to see these footprints or any other artifacts. In fact, the smallest lunar features that may be seen with the largest telescope on Earth are about one-half mile across.

Fig. 34: The Moon. Note the deep shadows in the craters.
Planets Planets change positions in the sky as they orbit around the Sun. To locate the planets on a given day or month, consult a monthly astronomy magazine, such as Sky and Telescope or Astronomy. Listed below are the best planets for viewing through the ETX-80AT. Venus is about nine-tenths the diameter of Earth. As Venus orbits the Sun, observers can see it go through phases (crescent, half, and full) much like those of the Moon. The disk of Venus appears white as Sunlight is reflected off the thick cloud cover that completely obscures any surface detail. Mars is about half the diameter of Earth, and appears through the telescope as a tiny reddishorange disk. It may be possible to see a hint of white at one of the planets Polar ice caps. Approximately every two years, when Mars is closest to Earth in its orbit, additional detail and coloring on the planet's surface may be visible.

Little Dipper

Fig. 35: Jupiter and its four largest moons. The moons can be observed in a different position every night.
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and is 11 times the diameter of Earth. The planet appears as a disk with dark lines stretching across the surface. These lines are cloud bands in the atmosphere. Four of Jupiters 16 moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto) can be seen as star-like points of light when using even the lowest magnification (Fig. 35). These moons orbit Jupiter so that the number of moons visible on any given night changes as they circle around the giant planet. Saturn is nine times the diameter of Earth and appears as a small, round disk with rings extending out from either side (Fig. 36). In 1610, Galileo, the first person to observe Saturn through a telescope, did not understand that what he was seeing were rings. Instead, he believed that Saturn had ears. Saturns rings are composed of billions of ice particles ranging in size from a speck of dust to the size of a house. The major division in Saturn's rings, called the Cassini Division, is occasionally visible through the ETX-80AT. Titan, the largest of Saturns 18 moons can also be seen as a bright, star-like object near the planet. Deep-Sky Objects Star charts can be used to locate constellations, individual stars and deep-sky objects. Examples of various deep-sky objects are given below: Stars are large gaseous objects that are self-illuminated by nuclear fusion in their core. Because of their vast distances from our solar system, all stars appear as pinpoints of light, irrespective of the size of the telescope used.

Fig. 36: Saturn has the most extensive ring structure in our Solar System.
Fig. 327 The Pleiades is one of the most beautiful open clusters.
Nebulae are vast interstellar clouds of gas and dust where stars are formed. Most impressive of these is the Great Nebula in Orion (M42), a diffuse nebula that appears as a faint wispy gray cloud. M42 is 1600 light years from Earth. Open Clusters are loose groupings of young stars, all recently formed from the same diffuse nebula. The Pleiades is an open cluster 410 light years away (Fig. 37). Through the ETX-80AT, numerous stars are visible. Constellations are large, imaginary patterns of stars believed by ancient civilizations to be the celestial equivalent of objects, animals, people, or gods. These patterns are too large to be seen through a telescope. To learn the constellations, start with an easy grouping of stars, such as the Big Dipper in Ursa Major. Then, use a star chart to explore across the sky. Galaxies are large assemblies of stars, nebulae, and star clusters that are bound by gravity. The most common shape is spiral (such as our own Milky Way), but galaxies can also be elliptical, or even irregular blobs. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is the closest spiral-type galaxy to our own. This galaxy appears fuzzy and cigar-shaped. It is 2.2 million light years away in the constellation Andromeda, located between the large W of Cassiopeia and the great square of Pegasus.

MEADE LIMITED WARRANTY

Every Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted by Meade Instruments Corporation (Meade) to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase in the U.S.A. and Canada. Meade will repair or replace a product, or part thereof, found by Meade to be defective, provided the defective part is returned to Meade, freight-prepaid, with proof of purchase. This warranty applies to the original purchaser only and is non-transferable. Meade products purchased outside North America are not included in this warranty, but are covered under separate warranties issued by Meade international distributors. RGA Number Required: Prior to the return of any product or part, a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) number must be obtained from Meade by writing, or calling (800) 626-3233. Each returned part or product must include a written statement detailing the nature of the claimed defect, as well as the owners name, address, and phone number. This warranty is not valid in cases where the product has been abused or mishandled, where unauthorized repairs have been attempted or performed, or where depreciation of the product is due to normal wear-and-tear. Meade specifically disclaims special, indirect, or consequential damages or lost profit which may result from a breach of this warranty. Any implied warranties which cannot be disclaimed are hereby limited to a term of one year from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty gives you specific rights. You may have other rights which vary from state to state. Meade reserves the right to change product specifications or to discontinue products without notice. This warranty supercedes all previous Meade product warranties.

Coil Cord (not visible in diagram): Plug the AutoStar coil cord into the HBX port (A, Fig. 1) of the computer control panel of the telescope.

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

Join an Astronomy Club Attend a Star Party
One of the fun ways to learn about astronomy is to join an astronomy club. Check your local newspaper, school, library, or telescope dealer/store to find out if theres a club in your area. At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy enthusiasts with whom you will be able to share your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way to learn more about observing the sky, to find out where the best observing sites are, and to compare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters, tripods, and so forth. Often, club members are excellent astrophotographers. Not only will you be able to see examples of their art, but you may even be able to pick up some tricks of the trade to try out on your ETX telescope. See page 31 for more information about photography with the ETX. Many groups also hold regularly scheduled Star Parties at which you can check out and observe with many different telescopes and other pieces of astronomical equipment. Magazines such as Sky & Telescope and Astronomy print schedules for many popular Star Parties around the United States and Canada.

GETTING STARTED

Parts Listing
Getting the telescope ready for first observations requires only a few minutes. When first opening the packing box, note carefully the following parts: The ETX Astro Telescope with fork mount system, photographic type tripod. Water-resistant backpack. #494 AutoStar handbox with attached coil cord. Meade premium eyepieces; 45 erecting prism. Hex-wrench, packed with the instruction manual. See GENERAL MAINTENANCE page 34.
Fig. 6a: Loosen the tripods locking ring.

Telescope Assembly

Setup The Tripod
Your backpack observatory does not ship with the parts stowed in the backpack. Before stowing the gear in the backpack and taking it out into the field, assemble the telescope in a familiar environment to practice the setup. 1. Hold the tripod by its handle and turn the locking ring to loosen the tripod mechanism (Fig. 6a). Push down on the locking ring as far as it will go to spread out the tripod legs (Fig. 6b). Turn the locking ring to tighten the tripod in place. 2. Adjust the height of the tripod, by lifting one of the tripod leg lock levers and sliding the inner leg in or out to the desired length. Then press down on the lever to re-lock. Repeat for the other two legs. 3. Use the tripod on a level and even ground. Pointing accuracy depends on the base of the tripod being level with the horizon. The bubble level on top of the tripod can help determine if the base is level: Move the base until the bubble is in the center of the circle.

Fig. 16: Sight along the top of the optical tube.
Manual Operation of the Telescope Using AutoStar's Arrow Keys
You may also observe land and astronomical objects using AutoStar's Arrow keys. If you have not already done so, prepare your telescope following the steps described in TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY, page 13. Next, flip the On/Off Switch (16C, Fig. 1b) on the computer control panel to the ON position. The copyright message lights on AutoStars display. Press the Speed/? key (7, Fig. 5) to accept the Sun warning. The "Getting Started" message displays. Keep pressing the ENTER key until "Country/State" appears on the display. (Ignore the prompts requesting "Date" and "Time" for now these functions will be explained later in the manual). Use the Scroll keys to cycle through the database of countries/states. Press ENTER when your location displays. Next, use the Scroll keys to scroll to the nearest city to your observing site and press ENTER. Next, use the Scroll keys to scroll to your telescope model and press ENTER. The display then reads "Setup: Align."
Fig. 17: AutoStar's Arrow keys.
You can now use the Arrow keys (5, Fig. 5) to slew (move) the telescope up, down, right, or left. To change the telescopes slew speed, briefly press the Speed/? key (7, Fig. 5). Each press decreases the slew speed down one level, and then cycles back to the fastest speed. See page 16 for more information. Tighten (to a "firm feel" only, do not overtighten) the vertical and horizontal locks (13 and 14, Fig. 1). Sight along the side of the telescopes main tube to locate an object and practice using the AutoStars Arrow keys to center the object in the telescopes field of view. Use the telescopes focus knob (15, Fig. 1) to bring the object into focus. This procedure demonstrates just a very small part of AutoStar's capabilities. In the next section of this manual, you will begin to learn how to make use of AutoStar's extensive and powerful features.

Slew Speeds

AutoStar has nine slew speeds that are directly proportional to the sidereal rate (this is the speed at which stars move) and have been calculated to accomplish specific functions. Pressing the SPEED/? key changes the slew speed, which is then shown for about two seconds on AutoStars display. The nine available speeds are:

{ { { { { { { { {

Speed 1 Speed 2 Speed 3 Speed 4 Speed 5 Speed 6 Speed 7 Speed 8 Speed 9

= = = = = = = = =

2x = 8x = 16x = 32x = 64x =
2 x sidereal (0.5 arc-min/sec or 0.008/sec) 8 x sidereal (2 arc-min/sec or 0.033/sec) 16 x sidereal (4 arc-min/sec or 0.067/sec) 32 x sidereal (8 arc-min/sec or 0.13/sec) 64 x sidereal (16 arc-min/sec or 0.27/sec)

0.5 = 120 x sidereal (30 arc-min/sec or 0.5/sec) 1/s = 240 x sidereal (60 arc-min/sec or 1/sec) 2/s = 480 x sidereal (120 arc-min/sec or 2/sec) Max = (Maximum speed possible, dependent on battery power)
Speeds 1, 2, or 3: Best used for fine centering of an object in the field of view of a higher power eyepiece, such as a 12mm or a 9mm eyepiece. Speeds 4, 5, or 6: Enables centering an object in the field of a low-to-moderate power eyepiece, such as a standard 25mm eyepiece. Speeds 7 or 8: Best used for rough centering of an object in the eyepiece. Speed 9: Moves the telescope quickly from one point in the sky to another.

Observe the Moon

Point your telescope at the Moon (note that the Moon is not visible every night) and practice using the Arrow keys and the slew speeds to view different features. The Moon contains many interesting features, including craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines. The best time to view the Moon is during its crescent or half phase. Sunlight strikes the Moon at an angle during these periods and adds a depth to the view. No shadows are seen during a full Moon, causing the overly bright surface to appear flat and rather uninteresting. Consider the use of a neutral density Moon filter when observing the Moon. Not only does it cut down the Moon's bright glare, but it also enhances contrast, providing a more dramatic image.
To Track an Object Automatically
As the Earth rotates beneath the night sky, the stars appear to move from East to West. The speed at which the stars move is called the sidereal rate. You can setup your telescope to move at the sidereal rate so that it automatically "tracks" the stars and other objects in the night sky. In other words, if the telescope is not tracking an astronomical object, the object will drift out of the eyepiece field of view. The tracking function automatically keeps an object more or less centered in the telescopes eyepiece. To track objects, you must first initialize AutoStar and then select "Targets: Astronomical" from the AutoStar Setup menu. You must also learn how the AutoStar keypad operates in order to move through the AutoStar menus.
Moving Through AutoStars Menus

The AutoStar database is organized in levels for quick and easy navigation. Press ENTER to go deeper into AutoStar's menu levels. Press MODE to move back toward the top menu level. Use the Scroll keys to move up and down through the options available for each level. Use the Scroll keys to enter characters and digits. The Arrow keys are used to move the telescope, and can also enter numbers and letters.

Initializing AutoStar

This section describes how to initialize AutoStar. Perform this procedure the first time you use AutoStar or after performing a RESET. 1. 2. 3. Secure the locks: Make sure that the vertical and horizontal locks (13 and 14, Fig. 1) are secured. Plug in AutoStar: Connect AutoStar to the HBX port of the computer control panel (16a, Fig. 1B). Turn on the control panel: Flip the telescope power switch of the computer control panel to the ON position. The AutoStar screen is activated and a copyright message displays briefly, followed by a short beep. Then AutoStar takes a few moments to start up the system. 4. Sun Warning: A message displays that warns not to look at the Sun. At the end of this message, press the Speed/? key to signify that the message has been read and | understood. Getting Started: The Getting Started menu displays a scrolling message. Press ENTER (2, Fig. 5) to bypass the Help tutorial and continue with initialization. Daylight Savings Time: The next screen requests the status of Daylight Savings Time. Press one of the Scroll keys to toggle between the YES/NO settings. When the desired setting displays, press ENTER.
Note: When multiple choices are available within a menu option, the option that is
NOTE: AutoStar requests the Country/State, City, and Telescope Model information only the first time AutoStar is activated. If you wish to change this information, use the "Site" and "Telescope Model" options in the Setup menu.
currently enabled is usually displayed first and highlighted by a right pointing Arrow (>).
Initialization is a procedure that ensures that AutoStar operates correctly. When you first use AutoStar, it doesn't yet know where the observation location site is, what your model number is (AutoStar operates with several different models of Meade telescopes) or if you are in a daylight savings time period. During the procedure, you are requested to enter this information. AutoStar uses this information , plus time and date information it receives for a high-precision internal clock to precisely calculate the location of celestial objects, such as stars and planets, and how to move your telescope correctly for various operations. You will only be asked for the location and model number information the first time you initialize AutoStar or after a reset. You can change this information (for example, you may move more than 50 miles away) by going to the Site and Telescope model options in the Setup menu.

Easy Alignment

After you initialize the system, AutoStar displays Easy Align. The fastest and easiest way to start observing with AutoStar is with Easy Alignment. During Easy Alignment, AutoStar automatically picks two alignment stars from its database of celestial objects. It will then slew the telescope to a first alignment star. The user is asked to verify that the telescope is pointed at the chosen star and then to center the star in the eyepiece. The process is repeated with a second star to complete the alignment. 1. 2. Select Alignment: Align Easy displays. Press ENTER. Set Home Position: AutoStar then prompts you to set the telescope in the Alt/Az Alignment home position (see margin note and Figs. 19 and 20). To set your telescope in the "Alt/Az" home position: Loosen the telescopes vertical lock (13, Fig. 1). Level the optical tube with the horizon. Move the optical tube until the pointer points at 0 on the setting circle (Fig. 19). Tighten the vertical lock to a "firm feel" only. Unlock the horizontal lock (14, Fig. 1) and turn the telescope horizontally until it points North. Re-lock the horizontal lock. Remove the 45 prism and eyepiece from the rear cell port. It may interfere with the alignment procedure. After alignment, you may replace the prism and eyepiece. Press ENTER.

Declination at 0

Pointer
Center Alignment Stars: The AutoStar then slews to the first star for alignment. It may not appear in the field of view in the eyepiece. The alignment star should be easily recognized and be the brightest star in the area of the sky where the telescope is pointing. Use the Arrow keys to move the telescope until the star is visible and centered in the eyepiece. Press ENTER. Repeat procedure for the second alignment star. NOTE: AutoStar locates alignment stars based on the date, time, and location entered. The alignment stars may change from night to night. All that is required is for the observer to center the selected stars in the eyepiece when prompted. Note: The GO TO key also allows you to perform a "spiral search." A spiral search is useful when the telescope slews to an object, but that object is not visible in the eyepiece after the telescope finishes it search. (This sometimes occurs during an alignment procedure.) Press GO TO when the slew is finished and the telescope starts slewing in a spiral pattern at a very slow speed around the search area. Look through the eyepiece and when the object does become visible, press MODE to stop the spiral search.Then use the Arrow keys to center the object.
Fig. 19: Alt/Az Alignment Home Position.

Go To Saturn

Fig. 21 The Complete AutoStar Menu Structure.

AUTOSTAR OPERATION

OBJECT Select from over 1400 database objects and press GO TO to move the telescope automatically to the object and place it in the telescopic field of view. SETUP Quick, easy alignment permits all telescope operations with only a 2-minute setup. Select Item: Setup UTILITIES Calculate eyepiece magnifications; set the timer for an observing session; or survey user landmarks in 30-second intervals. Select Item: Utilities Select Item: Object

The Universe of

Autostar
Select Item: Event EVENT Access the time of an astronomical event, such as the rising or setting times of the Moon. Select Item: Guided Tour GUIDED TOUR Journey through the universe as Autostar escorts you to the best celestial objects at your location.
GLOSSARY Discover the world of astronomy by alphabetically accessing astronomical terms.
Fig. 22: The AutoStar Universe: The six primary categories listed in the Select Item menu of AutoStar.
Object Event Guided Tours Glossary Utilities Setup
It is important to understand that menu selections are set in a loop (Fig. 23). This means that pressing the Scroll Down key (6, Fig. 5) cycles down through all the available options within a given category, then returns to the first option. The Scroll Up key (6, Fig. 5) cycles up through the options in the opposite order. Note that this capability is a quick way to get to an option that is near the bottom of the list. The following example demonstrates this capability. Example: To navigate to the Select Item: Setup menu option when the Select Item: Object menu is displayed:
Fig. 23: Menus set in a loop.
Press the Scroll Down key four times or the Scroll Up key once.
Select Item Object Select Item Solar System
The screen in Fig. 24 displays two lines of information. The top line shows the current menu level. The second line displays an option which may be selected within that menu level. Some options are choices that select the next menu level down. The Scroll keys move up and down within the list of available options, showing one option at a time. When the desired option is displayed on the second line, press the ENTER key to choose that option and move down one menu level. Press the MODE key to leave a level; e.g., the wrong menu option is chosen. IMPORTANT NOTE: No matter how many levels into AutoStar are traveled, each press of the MODE key moves up a level, until the top level, "Select Item," is reached. Once in the Select Item level, press MODE to return to the topmost level, "Select Item: Object."
Fig. 24: AutoStar menu levels.
AutoStar Navigation Exercise
To demonstrate how the AutoStar menu structure works, the following exercise calculates Sunset time so an evening observing session can be planned. NOTE: To perform an accurate calculation, AutoStar must be properly initialized with the current date, time, and location of the observing site. To enter the current date, time, and location information of your observing site, see INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page 17, before proceeding with this exercise.

Set: Enter the time to be counted down, in hours, minutes, and seconds, then press ENTER. Start/Stop: Activates the timer set previously. Use the Scroll keys to toggle between ON and OFF. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to activate the timer. When the timer runs out, four beeps sound and the timer is deactivated.
Alarm selects a time for an alarm signal as a reminder. To use the Alarm, press ENTER, then choose "Set" or "Start/Stop."
Set: Enter the time of day for the alarm to sound, in hours, minutes, and seconds, then press ENTER. Start/Stop: Activates the alarm set previously. Use the Scroll keys to toggle between ON and OFF. When ON is displayed, press ENTER to activate the alarm. When the alarm time arrives, Autostar beeps. Press ENTER to deactivate the alarm.
Eyepiece Calc calculates information about an eyepiece for the specific telescope to which Autostar is connected.
Field of View: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is selected, the field of view is calculated. Magnification: Scroll through a list of available eyepieces. When an eyepiece is selected, the magnification is calculated. Suggest: Autostar calculates and suggests the best eyepiece for viewing, based on the telescope and the object being viewed.
Display Options enables or disables Autostars two initial displays. If both displays are disabled, Autostar begins with the Date display. { Sun Warning: Turns the Sun Warning message on or off.
Getting Started: Turns the Getting Started message on or off.
Brightness Adj: Adjusts the brightness of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press ENTER. Contrast Adj: Adjusts the contrast of the display using the Scroll keys. When complete, press ENTER. NOTE: This feature is usually only required in very cold weather. Beep: Turns the beep on or off. Sleep Scope is a power saving option that shuts down Autostar and the telescope without forgetting its alignment. With "Sleep Scope" selected, press ENTER to activate the Sleep function. Autostar goes dark, but the internal clock keeps running. Press any key, except ENTER, to reactivate Autostar and the telescope. Park Scope is designed for a telescope that is not moved between observing sessions. Align the telescope one time, then use this function to park the telescope. Next time it is powered up, enter the correct date and time no alignment is required. Pressing ENTER causes the telescope to move to its pre-determined Park position. Once parked, the screen prompts to turn off power. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the "Park Scope" option is chosen and the display prompts you to turn off the telescope's power, Autostar is unable to be returned to operation without turning the power off and then back on. Cord Wrap, when set to "On," moves the telescope in such a way as to prevent the cords and cables attached to your telescope assembly from getting wound around the assembly and tangled as the telescope slews to objects. "Off" is the default setting.

Time Zone Atlantic Eastern Central Mountain Pacific Hawaii Shift -4 Hours -5 Hours -6 Hours -7 Hours -8 Hours -10 Hours
Table 1: Time Zone Shift.
NOTE: The Download function requires the optional #506 Astrofinder Software and Cable Connector Kit. See the instruction sheet included with the kit for more information on how to download. Also see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 33.
Calibrate Motor: If the telescope motors appear to have a problem, use this option to retest the motors before performing a Reset. This option is also used if an Autostar unit is moved between telescopes, to match Autostar to the new telescope. To calibrate the motors, select this option and press ENTER. { High Precision: If High Precision is turned on, when looking for a faint celestial object (i.e., a nebula or galaxy), Autostar first slews to a nearby bright star and displays "ENTER to Sync." Center the star in the eyepiece, then press ENTER. At that point the telescope has a high precision alignment to that part of the sky and it then slews to the object that was originally requested. Targets switches between Astronomical targets and Terrestrial targets. If "Astronomical" is selected, the telescope tracking motor is activated and any object you observe will remain centered in the eyepiece. If "Terrestrial" is selected, the tracking motor is turned off. To learn how to track an object automatically, see page 17. Site provides access to several options including: { Select: Displays the currently selected observing site. Use the Scroll keys to cycle through all available sites (see ADD below). Press ENTER when the site you wish to select displays. Use this option when you move to a different geographic location. { Add: Allows you to add new observing sites to the database (up to six sites may be stored). Scroll through the list of Countries/States. Press ENTER when the site you wish to add displays. Then choose the desired city in the same manner. { Delete: Deletes a stored site from the database. { Edit: Edits a selected site, including: the name, latitude, longitude, and time zone. Time Zone refers to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time zone shift. Users West of Greenwich, England use - hours, East of Greenwich use + hours. For the United States, look up the time zone shift in Table 1. NOTE: Autostar compensates for daylight savings time, if selected. See SETUP MENU: DAYLIGHT SAVING, page 27. { Address: Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to enter your street address, city, state, and zip code. Press ENTER when the entry is complete. Download transfers information from a personal computer or another Autostar. During the operation, the warning Downloading Do Not Turn Off appears. NOTE: The Download function requires the optional #506 Astrofinder Software and Cable Connector Kit. See the instruction sheet included with the kit for more information on how to download. Also see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 33. Statistics provides basic statistical data about Autostar, including: Characters Free: Shows how much room is available in user-defined object memory. Version: Shows the current version of the Autostar software. Reset completely resets Autostar. Most values entered into the menus revert to factory defaults. Autostar requires initialization again after a Reset before proceeding with observations. See INITIALIZING AUTOSTAR, page 17.

ADVANCED FEATURES

Terrestrial Observing
The ETX-80AT-BB makes an excellent high-resolution, terrestrial (land) telescope. Viewing terrestrial objects requires looking along the Earth's surface through heat waves. These heat waves often cause degradation of image quality. Low power eyepieces, like the MA 25mm eyepiece, magnify these heat waves less than higher power eyepieces. Therefore, low power eyepieces provide a steadier, higher quality image. If the image is fuzzy or ill-defined, reduce to a lower power eyepiece, where the heat waves do not have such an effect on image quality. Observing in early morning hours, before the ground has built up internal heat, produces better viewing conditions than during late afternoon hours.

Astronomical Observing

Used as an astronomical instrument, your telescope has many optical and electromechanical capabilities. It is in astronomical applications where the high level of optical performance is readily visible. The range of observable astronomical objects is, with minor qualification, limited only by the observers motivation.

Sidereal Rate

As the Earth rotates beneath the night sky, the stars appear to move from East to West. The speed at which the stars move is called the sidereal rate. If the telescope is aligned, the motor drive is designed to rotate the telescope at the sidereal rate so that it automatically tracks the stars. This tracking makes it easy to locate objects and keep them centered in the telescopes eyepiece.

Alignment (Mount)

The telescope's mount permits the movement of the telescope in both Altitude (vertically) and Azimuth (horizontally). In order to automatically track a celestial object, the mount must be properly aligned. Easy Alignment is described on page 19.

Alt/Az Alignment

One-Star Alt/AZ Alignment or Two-Star Alt/AZ Alignment allows you to choose the alignment stars during the alignment procedure. The stars are chosen from AutoStars database of alignment stars. The database displays after One-Star Alt/Az or Two-Star Alt/Az Alignment is selected. The term "Alt/Az." is frequently used to refer to the Altitude or horizontal and Azimuth or vertical movements of the ETX-80AT-BB telescope. Other terms to describe a telescope's movement may be used with telescopes that have mounts different from the ETX-80AT-BB.

Alt/Az Home Position

To set your telescope in the "Alt/Az" home position (also see Fig. 20, page 19).:
Fig. 25: Alt/Az Home Position.

Photography with Meades AutoStar Suite The AutoStar Suite with Meade LPI (Lunar Planetary Imager) or Meade Deep Sky Imager turns your Meade ETX telescope, AutoStar and PC into even more powerful and easy-to-use astronomical 5. Press GO TO. AutoStar slews the telescope to where the satellite should appear. The motor drive stops and a countdown starts.
NOTE: If the scheduled appearance position of the satellite is obstructed (i.e., by a building, tree, or hill), press ENTER and AutoStar starts to move the telescope along the expected satellite track. When the track clears the obstruction, press ENTER again to pause the telescope, then continue with this procedure.
With about 20 seconds left on the countdown timer, start watching through the eyepiece for the satellite to enter the field of view. 7. When the satellite enters the field of view, press ENTER. The telescope starts to track with the satellite. instrument. LPI (Fig. 26) and Deep Sky Imager (Fig. 27) combine the power of an electronic astronomical imager with the simplicity of a web cam. Check out the following imager features: 6. LPI: Achieve great results the first time out on the Moon, planets, brighter deep-sky objects and terrestrial targets. Deep Sky Imager: Capture dim and faint objects that are often invisible to the eye, that once could only be captured by large observatories or expensive CCD equipment. For example, the Horsehead and Reflection nebulas in Orion. Easy to use with real-time display of object on your PC screen. Just center, focus and shoot. Magic Eye software-assisted focusing. Automatic and manual exposure control from.001 to 15 seconds (up to 450x longer than web cams). Automatically takes multiple exposures. The AutoStar Suite Software includes powerful tools to help you get the most from your Meade ETX telescope: Sophisticated planetarium program with over 19 million objects. Select objects from the planetarium display and the telescope slews to those objects. Create time-lapse movies of objects, such as Jupiter Create your own Guided Tours. Advanced Image Processing Software including Unsharp Masking, Convolution Filtering and many other features. Control all AutoStar functions from your PC. Talking Telescope software translates AutoStar text to synthesized speech through PC speaker. Includes a cable to connect your ETX model to your PC.
Fig. 27: The Deep Sky Imager. Fig. 26: The Lunar Planetary Imager.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

A wide assortment of professional Meade accessories are available for the ETX-80AT-BB. Meade accessories greatly extend many important applications to the telescope, from lowpower, wide-field terrestrial viewing to high-power lunar and planetary observing. The premium quality of these accessories is well-suited to the quality of the instrument itself. Meade telescopes and accessories, including optional accessories for ETX telescopes, are available at more than 3,000 dealer locations in the U.S. and Canada and through Meade international distributors worldwide. Once you have identified the accessories you wish to order, contact your local Meade authorized dealer. To find a dealer near you call (800) 626-3233 or visit the Meade website at www.meade.com. #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit: Displays more than 10,000 celestial wonders galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, stars, and planets on your PC, enabling even the beginner to locate and identify objects to observe with the telescope or to print out star charts for use in observing sessions. Operates with any Windows-based personal computer. The Cable Connector Kit permits connection of the ETX-80AT-BB, AutoStar, and PC, for downloading of new software to AutoStar or for updating of Earth satellite or other celestial object positions. This kit is included with each AstroFinder Software package. Eyepieces (1.25" barrel diameter): For higher or lower magnifications, Meade 4-element Series 4000 eyepieces yield wider fields of view with excellent edge-of-field corrections and are available in a large range of focal lengths.

Fig. 28: Meade Series 4000 Super Plossl Eyepieces.
#126 2x Barlow Lens (1.25"): For telescopes that accommodate 1.25" eyepieces, the Barlow lens doubles each eyepiece power while maintaining excellent image corrections. #3200 Lunar & Planetary Color Filter Set: Meade optical glass color filters increase image contrast and resolution of the Moon and planets. The #3200 Set includes light yellow, very light red, very light blue, and neutral density filters. Each filter threads into the barrels of all Meade MA, PL, and WA eyepieces and is packed in a separate plastic case for secure storage. #x 25mm Right-Angle Viewfinder and Bracket: For easy sighting of terrestrial or astronomical objects prior to their observation in the main telescope, the #x 25mm Right-Angle Viewfinder (Fig. 30) displays a wide 7.5 field of view. Includes a crosshair eyepiece and precise helicoid focusing; the included viewfinder bracket attaches to the main telescope in seconds. 64T-Adapter: The T-adapter allows you connect a 35mm camera to your ETX telescope. Obtain the T-mount that is correct for your individual brand of camera separately.
Fig 29: #827 Right-Angle Viewfinder.
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING

General Maintenance

The ETX-80AT-BB telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding 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 telescopes optics. A little dust on the front surface of the telescopes correcting lens causes virtually no degradation of image quality and should not be considered reason to clean the lens. 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. 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 dishwashing 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, simply allow the telescope to sit for some time in warm indoor air, so that the wet optical surfaces can dry unattended. In addition, the dust cap should not be placed back on to the optical tube until the telescope is thoroughly dry. If your telescope is not to be used for an extended period, perhaps for one month or more, it is advisable to remove the six AA-size batteries from inside the drive base. Batteries left installed for prolonged periods may leak, causing damage to the telescopes electronic circuitry. See TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY, page 13. Do not leave your telescope outdoors on a warm day or inside a sealed car for an extended period of time. Excessive ambient temperatures can damage the telescopes internal lubrication and electronic circuitry. A (English-format) hex wrench is provided with the ETX-80AT-BB. Use the wrench to tighten the set-screws of any knobs which may loosen, such as the horizontal lock knob or focus knob.

3. 4. 5.

To GO TO a user-entered object: 1. 2. 3. 4. With "User Object: Add" displayed, press the Scroll Up key once. "User Object: Select" displays. Press ENTER. Use the Scroll keys (if necessary) to scroll to the desired object. Press ENTER. The name of the object and the Right Ascension and Declination coordinates display. Press GO TO and the telescope slews to the object.
APPENDIX B: HELPFUL CHARTS
Latitude Chart for Major Cities of the World Latitudes of major cities around the world are listed below. To determine the latitude of an observing site not listed on the chart, locate the city closest to your site. Then follow the procedure below: Northern Hemisphere observers (N): If the site is over 70 miles (110 km) North of the listed city, add one degree for every 70 miles. If the site is over 70 miles South of the listed city, subtract one degree per 70 miles. Southern Hemisphere observers (S): If the site is over 70 miles North of the listed city, subtract one degree for every 70 miles. If the site is over 70 miles South of the listed city, add one degree per 70 miles.

UNITED STATES City

Albuquerque Anchorage Atlanta Boston Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Detroit Honolulu Jackson Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Miami Milwaukee Nashville New Orleans New York Oklahoma City Philadelphia Phoenix Portland Richmond Salt Lake City San Antonio San Diego San Francisco Seattle Washington Wichita
New Mexico Alaska Georgia Massachusetts Illinois Ohio Texas Colorado Michigan Hawaii Mississippi Missouri Nevada Arkansas California Florida Wisconsin Tennessee Louisiana New York Oklahoma Pennsylvania Arizona Oregon Virginia Utah Texas California California Washington District of Columbia Kansas

Latitude

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
SOUTH AMERICA City Country
Asuncion Brasilia Buenos Aires Montevideo Santiago Paraguay Brazil Argentina Uruguay Chile

34 S S S S S

ASIA City
Beijing Seoul Taipei Tokyo Victoria

Country

China South Korea Taiwan Japan Hong Kong

23 N N N N N

AFRICA City
Cairo Cape Town Rabat Tunis Windhoek
Egypt South Africa Morocco Tunisia Namibia

23 N S N N S

AUSTRALIA City
Adelaide Brisbane Canberra Alice Springs Hobart Perth Sydney Melbourne
South Australia Queensland New South Wales Northern Territory Tasmania Western Australia New South Wales Victoria

S S S S S S S S

EUROPE City
Amsterdam Athens Bern Copenhagen Dublin Frankfurt Glasgow Helsinki Lisbon London Madrid Oslo Paris Rome Stockholm Vienna Warsaw
Netherlands Greece Switzerland Denmark Ireland Germany Scotland Finland Portugal England Spain Norway France Italy Sweden Austria Poland