Meade ETX90 Observer Telescope

The Meade ETX90 Observer Telescope offers terrific optical quality that is the envy of the telescope industry, the easy to use Meade AutoStar computer handbox with over 30,000 object library, and a solid mount and tripod. Featuring an advanced Maksutov-Cassegrain design it offers pinpoint star images and extraordinary contrast, making it a great deep sky performer and ideal for detailed lunar and planetary observation as it easily soars to high magnifications.

For those who want to use it for astrophotography, an internal mirror flips down to direct the light path straight back for prime-focus photography using a DSLR camera body and optional adapters. An equatorial tilt plate is integrated into the tripod, which allows for proper polar alignment and single-axis tracking for smoother and more precise tracking as required by long-exposure photography.

The brain of this system is Meade’s revolutionary AudioStar hand controller. Equipped with a 2-line LED display and 20-key red backlit keypad and an integrated speaker, it controls the motorized mount for precise GoTo capabilities. Its internal 30,000+ object database is updatable via the Internet and has the capability to take you on a hands-free guided tour of the night sky above, with audio commentary on select objects with expanded information. To consult star charts and logs, or to change eyepieces and filters, the controller also has a built-in red LED utility light that won’t affect your night-adjusted vision.

Optical Tube Assembly

The compact and powerful Maksutov design uses a front corrector plate with a convex meniscus lens to correct off-axis aberrations, like comas, and chromatic aberration to produce images with true-colour rendition. The nature of the lens results in a smaller secondary mirror—limiting obstruction and increasing contrast, while eliminating the need for periodic collimation. This optical path results in a slower focal ratio and narrower field of view versus a similar Schmidt-Cassegrain variant, but the optical benefits makes this an ideal scope for all types of celestial observations.

• 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain with 1250mm (f/13.9) Focal Length
• Front convex meniscus lens corrects spherical and chromatic aberrations and comas (off-axis aberrations) across the entire field of view
• Smaller secondary mirror versus Schmidt-Cassegrains reduces obstructions and increases contrast
• Proprietary Ultra-High Transmission Coating (UTHC) system improves light transmission for brighter images and increases colour fidelity and contrast
• Resolution: 1.29 arcsec
• Internal flip mirror for dual viewing: Find, center, and focus a target object visually with an eyepiece, then photograph it with a camera without changing gear
• Internal focusing system
• Vixen-style dovetail plate

Mount and Tripod

Meade AudioStar GoTo Hand Controller

Meade Instruments built on the success of their iconic AutoStar and upgraded it to the AudioStar GoTo Hand Controller. Outfitted with a built-in speaker and their "Astronomer Inside" technology, the familiar handbox now offers audio commentary on 500 celestial objects including the Moon, planets, stars, clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Information given includes surface temperature, size, distance from Earth, and mythology.

The hand controller maintains the large 30,000+ object database of near and deep sky objects, comets, asteroids, constellations, and satellites. It also tracks events such as sunrises and sunsets, moonrises and moonsets, the phases of the Moon, and meteor showers; plus equinoxes and solstices. After setting up and aligning the scope, you can choose to have the AudioStar take you on one of three guided tours that is customized based on the location, date, and time that you are observing.

Physical Characteristics

• 2-line, 18-character/line red LED display
• 20-button red backlit user interface
• Built-in speaker with adjustable volume
• Powered by mount

• MPN – 205004
• GTIN – 709942997514

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