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j Horizontal 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 horizontal
motor drive clutch for Autostar operation. When polar aligned, the horizontal 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 43.
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 43). 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 54 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 40.
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 43.
1^ Declination (Dec.) Setting Circle (on left fork arm): See page 54 for detailed
information.
1& Viewfinder Alignment Screws: Adjust these screws to align the viewfinder. See
pages 13 and 14 for more information.
1* Viewfinder Alignment Bracket: Attach the viewfinder to this bracket. See pages
13 and 14 for more information.
1( Dust Cap: Unthread the dust cap counterclockwise from the front lens of the
telescope.
1* Want to learn more about
attaching and aligning
the viewfinder?
See pages 13 and 14.
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( 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.