Meade ETX-80AT-BB Instruction Manual

Instruction ManualETX-80AT-BB Backpack Observatory MEADE.COM

10Fig. 5: #494 AutoStar Handbox.Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a ButtonControl of the ETX-80AT-BB is through the operation of the standard-equi

11The AutoStar Computer Controller provides control of virtually every telescope function withina compact handbox. AutoStar has soft-touch keys design

12H Speed/? Key: Pressing the Speed/? key cycles through the nine slew speeds that movethe telescope. Each time the Speed/? key is pressed briefly, th

13Parts ListingGetting the telescope ready for first observations requires only a few minutes. When first open-ing the packing box, note carefully the

1410.Secure the eyepieces in place with their respective thumbsrews.Tip: Always start observing using a low power eyepiece to get a nice wide field of

15Choosing an EyepieceA telescope’s eyepiece magnifies the image formed by the telescope’s main optics. Each eye-piece has a focal length, expressed i

16Manual Operation of the Telescope Using AutoStar's Arrow KeysYou may also observe land and astronomical objects using AutoStar's Arrow key

17NOTE:AutoStar requests theCountry/State, City,and Telescope Modelinformation only thefirst time AutoStar isactivated. If you wishto change this info

187. Set Your Location or Zip Code:The Location screen displays. This screen asks you if youwish to choose either the zip code of your observing locat

19Easy AlignmentAfter you initialize the system, AutoStar displays “Easy Align.” The fastest and easiest way tostart observing with AutoStar is with E

204. Press ENTER. “Calculating” displays. Then “Saturn” and a set of coordinates displays.Saturn’s (and other planets’) coordinates change throughout

21AUTOSTAR MENUS Tonight's Best How Far is Far A Star's Life Downloaded Tours User-created ToursSolar System MercuryEtc. Moon AsteroidsComet

22It is important to understand that menu selections are set in a loop (Fig. 23).This means thatpressing the Scroll Down key (6, Fig. 5) cycles down t

23To Calculate Sunset time:1. Press the MODE key several times, until “Select Item: Object” is displayed.2. Press the Scroll Down key once to display

24Object MenuAlmost all observing with Autostar is performed using the Object menu category. (NOTE:Exceptions include Guided Tour and Landmark Survey.

25Event MenuThe Event menu provides access to dates and times of astronomical events. The Event data-base includes:Sunrise and Sunset calculates the t

26Timer selects a countdown timer. This feature is useful for functions such as astrophotographyand tracking satellites. See OBSERVING SATELLITES, pag

27Date changes the date used by Autostar. This function is useful to check events in the past orfuture. For example, set the Date menu for a day three

28N Quiet Slew: Sets the maximum slew rate to 1.5° for quieter operation.N Max Elevation: Allows you to enter a value in degrees that sets a limit as

29Terrestrial ObservingThe ETX-80AT-BB makes an excellent high-resolution, terrestrial (land) telescope. Viewing ter-restrial objects requires looking

3CONTENTSWARNING!Never use a Meade®Telescope to look atthe Sun! Looking at or near the Sun willcause instant and irreversible damage toyour eye. Eye d

30Two-Star Alt/Az AlignmentTwo-Star Alignment requires some knowledge of the night sky. AutoStar provides a database ofbright stars and two stars from

318.Use the Arrow keys to center the object in the eyepiece to view the object. Satellite orbitschange and new satellites (including the Space Shuttle

326.With about 20 seconds left on the countdown timer, start watching through the eyepiece for thesatellite to enter the field of view.7. When the sat

33Fig 29:#827 Right-AngleViewfinder.A wide assortment of professional Meade accessories are available for the ETX-80AT-BB.Meade accessories greatly ex

34General MaintenanceThe ETX-80AT-BB telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime ofrewarding applications. Given the care

35TroubleshootingThe following suggestions may be helpful with operation of the ETX-80AT-BB.The power indicator light on the telescope does not come o

36Meade Customer ServiceIf you have a question concerning your ETX-80AT-BB, contact the Meade Instruments CustomerService Department at:Telephone: (8

37AutoStar SpecificationsProcessor ...68HC11, 8MHzFlash Memory ...

38Although AutoStar's database contains more than 1400 objects (stars, nebulae, planets, etc.)that you can observe, you may eventually want to vi

39UNITEDSTATESCity State LatitudeAlbuquerque New Mexico 35° NAnchorage Alaska 61° NAtlanta Georgia 34° NBostonMassachusetts 42° NChicago Illinois 42°

4QUICK-START GUIDESetting up the TripodStep 1: Remove the telescope and tripod from the giftbox.Step 2: Hold the tripod by its handle and turn the loc

40Train the telescope motors using AutoStar. Perform this procedure after RESET or if you are experiencing any point-ing accuracy problems. Figure 30

41In the early 17th century, Italian Scientist Galileo, using a crude telescope considerably small-er than the ETX-80AT-BB, turned it to look towards

42PlanetsPlanets change positions in the sky as they orbit around the Sun. To locate the planets on agiven day or month, consult a monthly astronomy m

Part no. 14-6881-00 06/00(800) 626-3233www.meade.comMEADE LIMITED WARRANTYEvery Meade telescope, spotting scope, and telescope accessory is warranted

5Step 11 :Secure the eyepieces in place with their respective thumbsrews. Always start observing using a lowpower eyepiece to get a nice widefield of

6Fig. 1: The ETX-80AT-BB Telescope.TELESCOPE FEATURES1. Eyepiece2. Eyepiece holder thumbscrew3.45° Erecting Prism4. Rear Cell Port5.90° Eyepiece holde

7Fig. 2: The AutoStarHandbox (see page 10).Fig. 1c: The battery compartment.Fig. 1b : The computer control panel:A - HBX port; B - LED; C - On/Off;D -

8ETX: Your Personal Window to the UniverseThe Meade ETX-80AT-BB is an extremely versatile, high-resolution telescope with features sim-ilar to those o

91% Focus Knob:Moves the telescope’s objective lens (10, Fig. 1) in a finely-controlled motionto focus an image. The ETX-80AT-BB telescope can be focu