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| When the original ETX®
telescope was introduced in 1996, it quickly created a
revolution in amateur astronomy. Here for the first time was a
stunningly beautiful, ultraportable, and highly versatile
telescope system of unprecedented optical resolution and
performance. Within one year of its introduction the ETX became
the largest-selling modern telescope in the world.
Meade ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, and ETX-125AT telescope models
build on the original ETX concept to create the most advanced
electronically-controlled telescopes — including automatic GO TO
object-location with the
Autostar Computer Controller — ever produced in their
price range. And yet without sacrificing any of the
user-friendly features that started the ETX revolution.
Optical Systems: Manufactured at the
Meade
Irvine, California, facility, ETX Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes
produce superlative, diffraction-limited optical performance and
resolution. Optics so high in contrast, image brightness, and
resolution that ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, and ETX-125AT models often
outperform many telescopes of larger apertures. |
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Fork Mounts with
Standard-Equipment Dual-Axis Drive System and #497 Autostar
Controller: The rigid fork mountings of ETX
Maksutov-Cassegrain models include high-torque DC motors on both
telescope axes, permitting electronic operation from the
standard-equipment Autostar controller. With the telescope
placed in the altazimuth mode on a table, astronomical
object-tracking may be accomplished automatically, after a quick
and easy 2-minute alignment of Autostar to the sky. Alternately,
the telescope may be mounted in either the altazimuth or
equatorial modes on the standard-equipment #884 Deluxe Field
Tripod.
Cordless Field Operation: The drive base of each
telescope accepts eight (user-supplied) AA-batteries that power
the telescope for about 20 hours of normal usage, negating any
requirement for an external power source in the field.
Alternately, the telescope may be powered from an automobile
cigarette lighter plug, using the optional
#607 Power Cord.
Flip-Mirror System: Flip the internal, optical-flat
mirror "up" for observing in the standard 90° position; flip the
mirror "down" for terrestrial observing with the optional
#932 45° Erecting Prism or for photography with the
optional
#64 T-Adapter.
Materials and Coatings: ETX optical systems include a
Maksutov meniscus corrector lens of Grade-A BK7 optical glass.
This lens is individually hand-figured by a Meade master
optician to achieve an optical null in combination with the
Pyrex®
primary mirror. High transmission magnesium fluoride (MgF2)
coatings on both sides of the correcting lens, as well as
aluminum/silicon monoxide coatings on the primary and secondary
mirrors, are provided as standard equipment. Optional coatings,
described below, increase light transmission and reflectance
still further. |
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Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC):
Available optionally with the ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, or
ETX-125AT, the Meade UHTC group permits the highest levels
of light transmission (about a 20% increase in total
telescope light transmission compared to the standard
coatings) ever offered on amateur telescopes. The UHTC
group, if desired, must be specified at the time of
telescope order. |
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"Our [ETX-105]
sample, purchased from stock at a local telescope dealer,
was in perfect collimation...the version-22Et Autostar we
tested behaves like mature technology...we sent the scope to
a series of targets spread across the sky. It found each one
with 100 percent success...Indeed, 90 percent of the targets
were positioned within the center half of the field of
view...Views of the Moon and planets were all satisfyingly
crisp. The rings of Saturn, including the Cassini Division,
were sharply rendered, and Jupiter's faded Red Spot was easy
to see as it crossed the planet's central meridian...One of
my most enjoyable moments with this Mak came while I was
viewing Castor on a foggy evening that offered very good
seeing. The scope split this unequal double star very
cleanly and displayed the sort of Airy disks and diffraction
rings that one sees in optical textbooks but seldom in real
life."
- from the review in Sky & Telescope, March, 2002.
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| Standard
Equipment:
Meade ETX Astro Telescopes are supplied as complete
instruments. Standard equipment includes a premium-grade
Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece for 48X with
the
Meade ETX-90AT, 57X with the ETX-105AT, or 73X with the
ETX-125AT. The 8 x 21mm viewfinder of the ETX-90AT
incorporates an internal roof prism that results in an
erect-image orientation, facilitating the quick location and
field-centering of both terrestrial and astronomical
objects. ETX-105AT and ETX-125AT models are supplied with an
8 x 25mm right-angle viewfinder for comfortable
object-sighting with the larger instruments. The #884 Deluxe
Field Tripod is included for rigid mounting of the telescope
during standing or seated observing in either the altazimuth
or equatorial mode. Use the standard-equipment #497 Autostar
controller for automatic GO TO object locating. |
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The fully
adjustable #884 Deluxe Field Tripod, included as
standard equipment with ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, and ETX-125AT
models, permits seated or standing observations in either
the altazimuth or equatorial modes. The tripod has an
elevation range of 20° to 90°. |
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Specifications and Features:
Meade
ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, and ETX-125AT astronomical telescope models
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TELESCOPE: |
Meade
ETX-70AT |
Meade
ETX-90AT |
ETX-105AT |
ETX-125AT |
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| Optical
Design |
Achromatic
refractor |
Maksutov-Cassegrain |
Maksutov-Cassegrain |
Maksutov-Cassegrain |
| Primary
Mirror Diameter |
– |
96mm (3.78") |
116mm
(4.56") |
138mm
(5.43") |
| Clear
Aperture |
70mm (2.8") |
90mm (3.5") |
105mm
(4.13") |
127mm (5.0") |
| Focal
Length, Focal Ratio |
350mm f/5 |
1250mm
f/13.8 |
1470mm f/14
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1900mm f/15 |
| Near
Focus (approx.) |
17 ft.
(5.2m) |
11.5 ft.
(3.5m) |
15 ft.
(4.6m) |
15 ft.
(4.6m) |
| Resolving
Power (arc secs.) |
1.6 |
1.3 |
1.1 |
0.9 |
| Optical
Coatings |
multi-coated
objective lens |
MgF2;
standard aluminum/SiO |
MgF2;
standard aluminum/SiO |
MgF2;
standard aluminum/SiO |
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Ultra-High Transmission Coatings |
– |
optional at
time of purchase |
optional at
time of purchase |
optional at
time of purchase |
| Limiting
Visual Stellar Magnitude |
11.3 |
11.7 |
12.1 |
12.5 |
| Image
Scale |
4.14°/inch |
1.16°/inch |
0.99°/inch |
0.76°/inch |
| Maximum
Practical Visual Power |
240X |
325X |
420X |
500X |
| Optical
Tube Dimensions (dia. x length) |
3.6" dia. x
12" (9.3cm x 30.4cm) |
4.1" x 11"
(10.4cm x 27.9cm) |
4.88" x
12.9" (12.4cm x 32.8cm) |
5.75" x
14.2" (14.6cm x 36cm) |
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Eyepiece(s) |
MA9mm,
MA25mm |
Super Plössl
26mm |
Super Plössl
26mm |
Super Plössl
26mm |
| Secondary
Mirror Obstruction (dia.; %) |
– |
1.1"
(27.9mm); 9.6% |
1.32"
(33.0mm); 9.4% |
1.55"
(39.4mm); 9.6% |
| Telescope
Mounting |
fork type;
double tine |
fork type;
double tine |
fork type;
double tine |
fork type;
double tine |
| Setting
Circle Diameters |
Dec.: 3.7";
RA: 7" |
Dec.: 3.5";
RA: 7" |
Dec.: 3.81";
RA: 7.8" |
Dec.: 4.3";
RA: 9" |
| RA and
Dec. Motor Drive Systems |
DC servo
motors with encoders, both axes; 9-volts DC |
DC servo
motors with encoders, both axes; 12-volts DC |
DC servo
motors with encoders, both axes; 12-volts DC |
DC servo
motors with encoders, both axes; 12-volts DC |
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Slow-Motion Controls |
electric,
9-speed, both axes |
electric,
9-speed, both axes |
electric,
9-speed, both axes |
electric,
9-speed, both axes |
| Autostar
Controller |
included
(#494) |
included
(#497) |
included
(#497) |
included
(#497) |
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Hemispheres of Operation |
North and
South |
North and
South |
North and
South |
North and
South |
| Batteries
(user-supplied) |
6 x AA |
8 x AA |
8 x AA |
8 x AA |
| Battery
Life (approx.) |
20 hrs |
20 hrs |
20 hrs |
20 hrs |
| Bearings |
Dec.: Acetal;
RA: Nylon |
Nylon, both
axes |
Dec.: ball
bearings; RA: radial ball bearing |
Dec.: ball
bearings; RA: radial ball bearing |
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Materials: |
| Tube Body
Mounting |
high-impact
ABS aluminum |
aluminum
reinforced high-impact ABS |
internal
aluminum structure with high-impact ABS |
internal
aluminum structure with high-impact ABS |
Primary
Mirror
Correcting Lens |
– |
Pyrex® glass
BK7 optical glass, Grade-A |
Pyrex® glass
BK7 optical glass, Grade-A |
Pyrex® glass
BK7 optical glass, Grade-A |
| Tripod;
net weight |
#882 Field
Tripod; 6 lbs. |
#884 Deluxe
Field Tripod; 11 lbs. |
#884 Deluxe
Field Tripod; 11 lbs. |
#884 Deluxe
Field Tripod; 11lbs. |
| Telescope
Dimensions |
15" x 7.3" x
8.5" |
15" x 7.3" x
8.5" |
17" x 8" x
10" |
19" x 8.9" x
10.8" |
| Telescope
Net Weight, less tripod |
6.8 lbs.
(3.0 kg) |
7.8 lbs (3.5
kg) |
13.5 lbs.
(6.1 kg) |
15.2 lbs.
(6.9 kg) |
| Telescope
Shipping Weight, less tripod |
11.9 lbs
(5.4 kg) |
12.4 lbs
(5.6 kg) |
18.4 lbs
(8.3 kg) |
25.2 lbs.
(11.4 kg) |
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"I find it impossible to choose adequate words that describe
the extraordinary performance of the ETX [90mm]. My first
object was the waxing gibbous Moon. At 50X the image showed
incredible contrast and sharpness along the terminator. It
begged for higher magnifications. At 190X the lunar image
fully maintained its rock-hard focus. Even at 350X, one
hundred power per inch of aperture, no breakdown of the
image occurred. Now I had to give the ETX the most sensitive
test of all, viewing a second magnitude star at this same
extreme power. The 350X star image was a textbook classic.
Clearly defined, faint, concentric diffraction rings
surrounded the small, bright Airy disc. Taking the star both
in and out of focus revealed identically sized secondary
shadow obstructions. Clearly, I was observing through an
optical system that has no detectable wavefront error."
- Ron Smith, Professor of Astronomy, Santa Rosa Junior
College, Santa Rosa, California. |
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For terrestrial
observing with the ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, and ETX-125AT
Astro Telescopes the #932 45° Erecting Prism attaches to the
telescope's rear cell and presents correctly-oriented
images, viewed at a convenient 457deg; angle. Also shown in
this photo are the Declination lock, focuser knob, and
flip-mirror knob. |
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400X with the
ETX-105AT, or from 48X to over 450X with the ETX-125AT.
Meade Super Plössls are excellent eyepieces with any ETX
model, or use a Meade Super Wide 13.8mm, 18mm, or 24.5mm
ocular for spectacular moderate-power, wide-angle observing.
The #126 2x Barlow Lens, a special short-focus Barlow
ideally suited to ETX systems, doubles the power of any
eyepiece. For terrestrial photography or astrophotography of
the Moon and planets, the #64 T-Adapter threads to the
telescope's rear cell and, with the appropriate T-mount,
accepts any 35mm camera with removable lens. |
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The #64 T-Adapter
converts ETX telescopes into long-focus telephoto lenses for
attachment to 35mm camera bodies by means of the appropriate
T-Mount. In this way ETX models may be used for terrestrial
photography or for astrophotography of the Moon and planets.
(With the ETX-70AT telescope use the #64ST T-Adapter.)
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#497 Autostar Computer Controller
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| One of the most
important advances in telescope control in the past 25
years, the Meade #497 Autostar Computer Controller turns the
ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, or ETX-125AT into an automatic
celestial object locating system. Just plug the Autostar
into the telescope's HBX port, do a quick (less than one
minute!) telescope alignment, and you're ready to observe
any object in the Autostar's 30,000-object database.Best of
all, the Meade Autostar is easy to |
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Even the most novice observer will find himself or herself
locating dozens of fascinating celestial objects the very
first night out - from commonly-observed objects such as the
rings of Saturn, the satellites of Jupiter, and the Orion
Nebula (M42); to more difficult objects such as the Ring
Nebula (M57) in Lyra, the Spiral Galaxy (M33) in Triangulum,
and the Sombrero Galaxy (M104) in Virgo; to very obscure
objects near the telescope's threshold of visibility such as
the diffuse nebula NGC 6559 in Sagittarius, the galactic
star cluster NGC 1778 in Auriga, and the spiral galaxy NGC
3310 in Ursa Major. |
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The #497 Autostar
Computer Controller is included as standard equipment
with ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, and ETX-125AT Astro
Telescopes. |
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of Autostar's database objects can be called up and entered
on the hand controller display in seconds. The observer then
simply presses the GO TO pushbutton and watches as the
telescope automatically slews (moves) to the object and
places it in the field of view. The effect of Autostar is to
bring objects easily within reach which were previously
unreachable for all but the most dedicated of amateur
astronomers.
Without exaggeration the Meade Autostar Computer
Controller opens up a new era in astronomical study for the
casual or beginning astronomer, just as Meade LX200 and
LX200GPS Schmidt-Cassegrains have for the advanced amateur.
Most Autostar users see more celestial objects in one
night's viewing than typical first-time telescope owners
previously have in a lifetime. |
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Object Database: Included within Autostar's database
are all of the following astronomical objects — a range of
objects certain to keep even the most active amateur
astronomer growing in his or her studies of the skies for
years: |
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5,386 |
objects from the Index Catalog (IC); galaxies, nebulae, and
star clusters of all types; the complete Index Catalog |
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7,840 |
objects from the New General Catalog (NGC); additional
galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters of all types; the
complete New General Catalog |
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109 |
objects from the Caldwell Catalog of the best objects for
small telescopes |
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110 |
Messier (M) objects; the complete Messier catalog |
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16,800 |
stars from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO)
catalog, including double stars, variable stars, and other
stars of special note |
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Earth-orbiting satellites |
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26 |
asteroids, including all of the brightest asteroids |
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15 |
periodic comets |
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major planets from Mercury to Pluto |
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Any of the objects in
the preceding listing can be located simply by calling up
the object from the Autostar database and pressing GO TO.
Within seconds Autostar directs the ETX telescope to move
automatically to the object and place it within the
telescopic field of view with uncanny precision.
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Meade ETX-90AT
Astro Telescope. Shown packed in optional #774 Hard
Carrying Case for easy portability in the field.
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"Stellar
diffraction patterns were virtually textbook-perfect...the
Cassini Division in Saturn's rings popped into view despite
the rings' low tilt. [Double-star] Epsilon Lyrae's component
stars were cleanly split...The Moon was outstanding even at
75X per inch of aperture. Daytime terrestrial views were
tack-sharp with rich color saturation. I could see every
wisp of velvet on the antlers of a deer 50 feet away... the
ETX [90mm] was totally free of chromatic aberration, making
this an ideal all-purpose telescope for anyone wanting to
inspect eagles at 100 yards and stars at 100 light-years."
- from the review in Sky & Telescope, January 1997.
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Call-up of an object
from the database is facilitated by Autostar's simple menu
options. For example, to enter NGC 6960 on the Autostar
display, the observer selects in sequence (and in a few
seconds of keystrokes): OBJECT/DEEP SKY/NGC OBJECTS/6960.
When GO |
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The ETX-90AT Astro
Telescope, mounted in the equatorial mode on the #884
Deluxe Field Tripod. Tripod height is continuously
adjustable from 25" to 43". A graduated scale for elevation
(latitude) angle permits precise polar alignment of the
telescope's fork mount. |
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TO is
pressed, the telescope moves at 5° per second on both axes,
simultaneously, to place NGC 6960, the Veil Nebula in the
constellation Cygnus, in the telescope's field of view.
Additional Capabilities: In addition to database
object selection and observation, Autostar permits a wide
array of fascinating and educational capabilities:
Automatic GO TO capability to any astronomical object
of known Right Ascension and Declination, plus digital
readouts of telescope position, continuously in RA and Dec.
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Precise sidereal-rate
tracking in either altazimuth or equatorial modes. Once
an object is located by Autostar, the telescope
automatically tracks it and keeps it centered in the
telescope's field of view, fully compensating for the
Earth's rotation.
200 User-Defined Objects: The observer can add the
locations of up to 200 objects of his/her choosing, store
these objects in Autostar's memory, and call them up at any
time.
9-Speed Dual-Axis Operation: Use the Autostar
pushbuttons to move the telescope on either or both axes,
simultaneously, at any of nine drive speeds, from 2x
sidereal to 5°/second. Guided Tours: Allows Autostar
to choose the best objects for observing on any given night.
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Point-and-click
astronomy with Meade AstroFinder software, the #505
Connector Cable Set, and an ETX telescope. |
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GO TO capability through
Autostar's RS-232 serial interface*, using Meade
AstroFinderTM astronomical software: Use the
optionally-available package of AstroFinder software and the
#505 Connector Cable Set to form a system
consisting of the ETX telescope + Autostar + your PC. Point
and click to any celestial object on the PC display and
watch as the telescope moves to the object and places it in
the field of view.
Plus: over 20 other menu options, including major
event menus (e.g., times of Moonrise, Moon phases,
etc.); utility functions (e.g., timer, alarm,
eyepiece power calculations); and much more.
With Autostar plugged into your ETX-90AT, ETX-105AT, or
ETX-125AT, the astronomical universe is in the palm of your
hand: never before has such powerful telescope technology
been so easy to operate, even by the most casual observer.
*For PC's with USB
ports order the Meade USB to RS-232 Bridge Cable,
which premits connection between the telescope's RS-232
serial interface and the PC's USB port. |
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ETX-90AT Astro Telescope: For the casual or beginning
observer the Meade ETX-90AT may be all the telescope ever
required. Or, for the advanced astronomer who already owns a
larger instrument, the ETX-90AT is the perfect ultraportable,
diffraction-limited field telescope. Observe the continually
changing cloud-belt patterns on the surface of the planet
Jupiter; shadows cast on to Jupiter as one of its four
principal satellites transits the planet's disc; the
magnificent ring system and satellites of Saturn as well as
dusky markings and the ring-shadow |
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Specifications: ETX-90AT Astro Telescope - Includes
Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube assembly (D = 90mm (3.5"),
F = 1250mm, f/13.8) with MgF2 coatings on the correcting
lens and standard aluminum coatings on the primary and
secondary mirrors (Ultra-High Transmission Coatings
available optionally); internal flip-mirror system for
either straight-through or 90° observing position;
steel-reinforced ABS fork mount with electric slow-motion
controls, setting circles and locks on both axes; electronic
control panel; 9-speed (from 2x sidereal to 5°/sec)
dual-axis motor drive system with #497 Autostar controller;
sidereal-rate tracking in either altazimuth or equatorial
mode; internal battery compartment accepting eight
(user-supplied) AA-size batteries; 8 x 21mm erect-image
viewfinder; Series 4000 Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece (1.25");
#884 Deluxe Field Tripod; operating instructions.
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on the surface of
Saturn; Moon craters by the hundred, plus lunar rilles,
mountain ranges, and fault lines, all visible in brilliant,
high-resolution, high-contrast detail; the variable phases
of the planets Mercury and Venus; prominent features on the
surface of Mars. In deep-space the motivated observer will
find it difficult to exhaust the quantity of visible
phenomena: the incandescent filamentary structure of the
Orion Nebula; the elliptical luminosity of the Andromeda
Galaxy with its brilliant nucleus; the shining orb of the
Hercules globular cluster with many of its outermost stars
resolvable. These |
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only a few of the literally thousands of celestial objects
within the view of the Meade ETX-90AT telescope. Star
catalogs list innumerable double and multiple star systems,
variable stars, open star clusters, globular clusters,
diffuse nebulosities, planetary nebulae, and spiral galaxies
within the grasp of the instrument. The
standard-equipment #497 Autostar Computer Controller locates
all of these objects automatically, in seconds.
ETX-105AT Astro Telescope: Manufactured with an
aluminum fork mount dedicated specifically to its size a
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Specifications: ETX-105AT Astro Telescope – Includes
Maksutov–Cassegrain optical tube assembly (D = 105mm
(4.13"), F = 1470mm, f/14) with MgF2 coatings on the
correcting lens and standard aluminum coatings on the
primary and secondary mirrors (Ultra-High Transmission
Coatings available optionally); internal flip–mirror system
for either straight–through or 90° observing position;
aluminum fork mount with electric slow–motion controls,
setting circles and locks on both axes; electronic control
panel; 9–speed (from 2x sidereal to 5°/sec) dual–axis motor
drive system with #497 Autostar controller; sidereal–rate
tracking in either altazimuth or equatorial mode; internal
battery compartment accepting eight (user–supplied) AA–size
batteries; 8 x 25mm right–angle viewfinder; Series 4000
Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece (1.25"); #884 Deluxe Field
Tripod; operating instructions. |
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aperture, the ETX-105AT Astro Telescope moves effortlessly
across the skies on ball bearing axes, in either manual or
electronic modes. And, at a relatively modest increase in
purchase price, the ETX-105AT yields 36% more
light-collecting power than the ETX-90AT. The entire range
of celestial objects - the eight major planets, the Moon,
galaxies, nebulae, star clusters - as well as terrestrial
objects, may be observed with a significant, and immediately
apparent, increase in resolution and image brightness. At
the same time, the ETX-105AT maintains most of the
compactness and ultraportability of the smaller-aperture
ETX-90AT. As a compromise between the larger light-gathering
capability of the ETX-125AT and the ultraportability of the
ETX-90AT, the ETX-105AT is an excellent, and very popular,
choice. |
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Specifications: ETX-125AT Astro Telescope - Includes
Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube assembly (D = 127mm (5.0"),
F = 1900mm, f/15) with MgF2 coatings on the correcting lens
and standard aluminum coatings on the primary and secondary
mirrors (Ultra–High Transmission Coatings available
optionally); internal flip–mirror system for either
straight–through or 90° observing position; aluminum fork
mount with electric slow-motion controls, setting circles
and locks on both axes; electronic control panel; 9–speed
(from 2x sidereal to 5°/sec) dual–axis motor drive system
with #497 Autostar controller; sidereal–rate tracking in
either altazimuth or equatorial mode; internal battery
compartment accepting eight (user–supplied) AA–size
batteries; 8 x 25mm right–angle viewfinder; Series 4000
Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece (1.25–); #884 Deluxe Field
Tripod; operating instructions. |
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ETX-125AT Astro Telescope: With twice the
light-collecting area of the ETX-90AT, the ETX-125AT permits
a much broader range of astronomical study. Jupiter's cloud
belts, for example, are observable at a significantly
heightened level of detail, with whirls and festoons and the
Great Red Spot readily visible as they transit the planet's
disc; the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings is routinely
seen, as are additional features of the planet's surface,
even under less than perfect seeing conditions; microfine
lunar detail beyond the reach of smaller telescopes can be
resolved in the ETX-125AT. In deep-space the ETX-125AT's
larger aperture enables the observation of galaxies and
nebulae in much wider extension and permits the resolution
of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 12.5. The entire
Messier listing of 110 objects is now not only visible, but,
in addition, every object takes on a readily discernible
structure. The observer who accepts astronomy as a serious
field of interest will find the Meade ETX-125AT a deeply
satisfying instrument for a lifetime of high-resolution
astronomical study |
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