Meade ETX-80AT-BB User Manual

Instruction Manual

ETX-80AT-BB Backpack Observatory

MEADE.COM

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.

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.

CONTENTS

Quick-Start Guide .......................................................... 4

elescope Features ...................................................... 6

T AutoStar

Getting Started ..............................................................13

AutoStar Menus ............................................................21

AutoStar Operation ........................................................22

Advanced AutoStar Operation........................................29

Optional Accessor

Maintenance ..................................................................34

Specifications ................................................................36

Appendix A:

Appendix B: Latitude Chart ............................................39

Appendix C: Training the Drive ......................................40

Appendix D: Basic Astronomy........................................41

Features ........................................................10

Parts Listing ..............................................................13

elescope/Tripod Assembly ......................................13

wing Your Gear in the Backpack ..........................14

Sto

Safety Precautions....................................................14

Choosing an Eyepiece ..............................................15

Manual Operation of the Telescope w/out AutoStar..15

Manual Operation of the Telescope with AutoStar....16

Slew Speeds ............................................................16

Observe the Moon ....................................................17

To Track an Object Automatically ..............................17

Moving Through AutoStar’s Menus ..........................17

Initializing AutoStar ..................................................17

Easy Alignment ........................................................19

Go To Saturn ............................................................19

Using the Guided Tour ..............................................20

Menu Tree ................................................................21

AutoStar Navigation Exercise ..................................22

Entering Data, Moving Through AutoStar’s Menus ..23

Objects Menu............................................................24

Event Menu, Glossary Menu ....................................25

Utilities Menu ............................................................25

Setup Menu ..............................................................26

Terrestrial Observing, Astronomical Observing ......29

Sidereal Rate ............................................................29

Advanced Alt/Az Alignment Methods........................29

Observing Satellites ..................................................30

Digital Photog

Troubleshooting ........................................................35

raphy with the ETX

ies......................................................33

Using AutoStar to Enter Coordinates ........38

............................

The name

ks registered with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office

mar and in principal countries throughout the world. All rights reser

Patents: US 6,392,799 and other patents pending.

“Meade

ed.

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“ETX”

QUICK-START GUIDE

Setting up the Tripod Step 1: Remove the telescope and tripod from the giftbox.

Step 2a: Loosen the locking ring....

Step 2b: ...and push down as far as it will go to open tripod.

Step 2: Hold the tr ring to loosen the tripod mechanism. Push down on the locking ring as far as it will go to spread out the tripod legs. Turn the locking ring to tighten the tripod in place.

Step 3: You can adjust the height of the tripod, by lifting a leg lock lever and sliding the inner leg in or out to the desired length. Then re-tighten the lock. Repeat for the other two legs.

Step 4: Use the tripod on 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.

Attach the Telescope to the Base Step 5: Thread the supplied bolts about two or three turns

through the underside of the telescope base.

Step 6: Line up the bolts over the key-like holes on the base of the tripod and slide the bolts into the holes. Rotate the telescope clockwise until the bolts fit into the hole bays. Then, reach under the tripod base and tighten the bolts to a firm feel.

ipod by its handle and turn the locking

Step 6: Attach bolts and thread into key-like holes.

Step 7: Loosen vertical lock to move optical tube.

Step 7: Loosen the vertical lock and move the optical tube downward. Then, re-tighten the vertical lock.

Step 8: Remove the inverted dewshield from the end of the telescope. Unthread the dust cover to remove from the scope. Thread the dewshield over the end of the telescope.

Step 9: Remove the eyepiece caps from the 90 degree eyepiece holder and the rear cell port. Screw on the 45 degree

ism to the rear cell port. You can put two eyepieces into

pr this telescope at the same time.

Step 10 : Slip a lower power eyepiece, such as a 25mm or 26 mm eyepiece into the 45 degree prism and another eyepiece into the 90 degree holder.

ou can s

Y mirror control to the up or do

witch between the two eyepieces by turning the flip

wn position.

Step 13: Focus insert batteries.

Step 14: Plug in handbox and turn on computer control panel.

Step 11 :Secure the eyepieces in place with their respective thumbsrews. Always start observing using a low power eyepiece to get a nice widefield 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 it’s more difficult to locate objects using high powered eyepieces.

Step 12 :You can focus the eyepieces by turning the focus knob. The focus knob has a very fine focus, so you may have to turn the knob 20 complete turns or more to focus on an object.

Connect the AutoStar Handbox Step 13:

holder from the compartment so you don’t accidentally pull out the wires attached to the holder “AA” batteries in the holder. Refer to the diagram on the holder to orient the batteries properly. Replace the holder back into the battery compartment and replace the lid.

Step 14: Make sure that the computer control panel power switch is in the OFF position. Remove AutoStar from the packing materials and plug it into the HBX port.

Flip the Power Switch on the computer control panel to the ON position. The copyright message lights on AutoStar’s LCD display.

Lift the battery cover. Gently remove the battery

. Insert 6 user supplied

Step 17: Sight along the top of the optical tube.

w in

Flip Bar do

wn position.

Note: Flip Barlow control in the “down” position.

Step 15:

Sun warning.

Observe Step 16:

the telescope up, down, right, or left. To change the telescope’s slew speed, briefly press the Speed/? key. Each press decreases the slew speed down one level, and then will cycle back to the fastest speed.

Step 17: Sight along the side of the telescope’s main tube to locate an object. At first, practice during the daytime using the AutoStar’s Arrow keys to center on objects in the telescope’s field of view. Observe trees, mountains, signs and so forth. Then when you’re comfortable locating objects in this manner, try at night on the Moon, planets and stars.

Note about the Flip Barlow:T

rotate the the Flip Barlow control so that it is in the down position (see diagram, left). The Flip Barlow doubles the magnification of y

If you use the Flip Barlow, you will need to turn the focus knob in a counterclockwise direction. You may have to turn the focus knob 20 or more turns to focus with the Barlow engaged.

Press the key prompted by AutoStar to accept the

You can now use the AutoStar Arrow keys to move

our e

epiece

o use the b

uilt-in 2x Barlow,

TELESCOPE FEATURES

Fig. 1: The ETX-80AT-BB Telescope.

1. Eyepiece

2. Eyepiece holder thumbscrew ° Erecting Prism

4. Rear Cell Port ° Eyepiece holder

5. epiece

7. Eyepiece holder thumbscrew

8. Fork arms

Optical tube

10. Objective lens cell

11. Dew shield

12. Dust cap

13. Vertical lock Horizontal lock

14.

15. Focus knob

16. Computer control panel

A. HBX port B. LED C. On/Off D. AUX port

17. Base housing Base/Holes f

18.

19. Battery compartment Flip mirror control (inset)

20.

or tr

ipod bolts

Fig. 1b : The computer control panel: A - HBX port; B - LED; C - On/Off; D - AUX port.

Fig. 1c: The battery compartment.

2# 2$

Fig. 2: The AutoStar Handbox (see page 10).

Fig.3:

The tr

ipod.

utoStar

21.

22. Tripod bubble level

23. Base Handle

24.

25.

Adjustable legs

26. Locking ring

27.

28.

29. Bubble level/compass

30.

aces/accessor

Leg br Leg locks

Flip Bar

y holders

Caution:

Using products other than standard Meade accessories may cause damage to the telescope’s internal electronics and may void the Meade warranty.

ETX: Your Personal Window to the Universe

The Meade ETX-80AT-BB is an extremely versatile, high-resolution telescope with features similar to those once available only with larger and more specialized imaging systems. With pushbutton controls, automatic tracking of celestial objects, and software downloading capability, an ETX telescope may be all the telescope ever required by many terrestrial and astronomical observers.

our ETX telescope reveals nature in an ever-expanding level of detail. Observe the feather

Y structure of an eagle from 50 yards or study the rings of the planet Saturn from a distance of 800 million miles clusters, remote galaxies, and even stars recently discovered to have planets orbiting about them. Meade ETX telescopes are instruments fully capable of growing with your interest and are ideal for both the casual observer and serious astronomer alike.

b Eyepiece:

tighten in place with thumbscrew (

. Focus beyond the Solar System and observe majestic nebulae, ancient star

Place the MA 25mm or other eyepiece into the 45° Eyepiece Holder (3, Fig. 1) and

2, Fig.1).

c Eyepiece Holder Thumbscrew: Secures the eyepiece. Tighten to a "firm feel" only.

° Erecting Prism:Holds the eyepiece at angle for convenient viewing and correctly

d 45

orients images in the eyepiece.

E Rear Cell Port: Attach any 35mm camera with a removable lens to this port using an

optional #64ST T-Adapter or attach the 45° prism ( through the eyepiece.

3, Fig. 1) for correctly oriented images

F 90° Eyepiece Holder: Holds the eyepiece upright for easy viewing.

G Eyepiece:

tighten in place with thumbscrew (

Place the MA 25mm or other eyepiece into the 90° Eyepiece Holder (5, Fig. 1) and

7, Fig.1).

H Eyepiece Holder Thumbscrew: Secures the eyepiece. Tighten to a "firm feel" only.

I Fork Arms: Hold the optical tube in place.

J Optical Tube: The main optical component that gathers the light from distant objects and

brings this light to a focus at the eyepiece.

1) Movable Objective Lens Cell: This component contains the telescope’s lenses.The focus

knob (

15, Fig. 1) moves the cell for precise image focus.

1! Dew Shield: Slows down the advance of dew, which distorts observing conditions.

1@ Dust Cap: Unthread the dust cap counterclockwise from the front lens of the telescope

before observing.

Note: The dust cap should be replaced after each obser power turned off to the telescope. Verify that any dew that might have collected during the observing session has evaporated before you replace the dust cap.

tical Loc

1# V

it to be freely mo feel" only) prevents the telescope from being moved manually, but allows the vertical motor drive to operate for AutoStar operation.

Caution: When loosening the v (

9, Fig. 1). The weight of the objective lens could cause the tube to swing

suddenly downward and damage the telescope.

ning the v

ed up and down. Turning the vertical lock clockwise (tighten to a "firm

ertical lock counterclockwise unlocks the telescope, enabling

ertical lock, be sure to hold onto the optical tube

ving session and the

1$ Horizontal Lock: Controls the manual horizontal rotation of the telescope. Turning the

izontal lock counterclockwise unlocks the telescope, allowing it to be freely rotated by

hor hand side-to-side about the horizontal axis. Turning the horizontal lock clockwise prevents the telescope from being rotated man

utoStar oper

or A

ation.

ually

, b

ut allo

ws the hor

ontal motor dr

ive to operate

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

1% Focus Knob:

ocus an image. The ETX-80AT-BB telescope can be focused on objects from a distance

to f of about 17 ft. to infinity. Rotate the focus knob clockwise to focus on distant objects, and countercloc

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.

Moves the telescope’s objective lens (10, Fig. 1) in a finely-controlled motion

kwise to focus on nearby objects.

1^ Computer Control Panel:

A. Handbox (HBX) Port

B. LED: The red power indicator light illuminates when power is supplied to

the AutoStar handbox and to the telescope’s motor drive.

C. ON/OFF Switch: Turns the Computer Control Panel and AutoStar ON or OFF.

D. Auxiliary (AUX) Port:

sories, such as the Meade “AstroFinder Software with Cable Connector Kit,” which allows you to control your ETX from a PC. See

: Plug the AutoStar coil cord (8, Fig. 5) into this port.

Provides connection for current and future Meade acces-

OPTIONAL

ACCESSORIES

, page 33.

1& Base Housing: Contains mechanical and electrical assemblies that operate the telescope.

1* Base/Bolt Hole for Tripod Bolts: Thread the tripod bolts up through the tripod

and into the two holes in the base.

1( Battery Compartment: Install batteries in this compartment. See Step #12, page 14 for

more information.

2) Flip Mirror Control: ETX telescopes include an internal mirror. With the flip mirror control

in the “Up” position, light is diverted to the eyepiece in the 90° eyepiece holder

5, Fig. 1). With the flip mirror control in the down position, light is diverted through the rear

( cell port (4, Fig. 1) for use with the the 45° prism and eyepiece or to a camera for photography. See Figs. 4a and 4b.

Fig. 4b: Flip mirror control in the “down” position.

2! AutoStar with attached cord: See pages 10 to 12 for a description of AutoStar’s

features.

The Tripod

2@ Bubble Level: Use when aligning your telescope. When the bubble is in the center

circle, the base is level.

2# Base: Attach the telescope to the base.

2$ Handle: Conveniently placed for lifting and moving the tripod.

2% Adjustable Tripod legs: Support the telescope. The height of the legs can be adjusted.

2* belo

See

2^ Locking Ring: To open the tripod, loosen the ring and push it down as far as it will go.

Tighten the r begin to pull upward. Close the legs against the center post (be careful not to close on your fingers).

ing to lock the tripod in an open position. To close tripod, loosen the ring and

asten legs in the closed position.

Tighten r

ing to f

2& Leg Braces/Accessory holders: Strengthens the legs when the tripod is in the open posi-

tion. Also, you can place eyepieces and other accessories in the holes on the tray.

2* Leg Locks: Lift the lever to move the inner tripod leg segment in or out when adjusting the

height of the tripod.

2( Bubb

le Le

vel:

Helps y

ou le

el the tr

ipod and to find Nor

th during the alignment procedure.

3) Flip Barlow: Flip the switch to engage the Barlow. The Barlow doubles the magnification

of y

our eyepiece.You may have to turn the focus knob several times to refocus. See page

15 for more information.

AUTOSTAR FEATURES

Fig. 5: #494 AutoStar Handbox.

Tour the Cosmos with Just the Push of a Button

Control of the ETX-80AT-BB is through the operation of the standard-equipment #494 AutoStar. Nearly all functions of the telescope are accomplished with just a few pushes of AutoStar’s buttons. Some of the major features of AutoStar are:

• Automatically move the telescope to any of the 1400 objects stored in the database or manually enter the astronomical coordinates of any celestial object.

• Take a guided tour of the best celestial objects to view on any given night of the year.

•

Download the latest satellite data and software revisions directly from the Meade website

.meade

www

( al #506 AstroFinder page 33.)

Access a glossar

•

• Calculate which eyepiece to use for optimum viewing of a celestial object.

Mount the telescope in the “Alt/Az” mode (Altitude - Azimuth, or vertical - horizontal) for

• fully automatic tracking of celestial objects.

.com

) and share softw

Softw

™

y of astronomical ter

are with other A

are and Cab

le Connector Kit. See

utoStar enthusiasts

OPTIONAL

(Requires option

CCESSORIES

utoStar Computer Controller provides control of virtually every telescope function within

The A a compact handbox. AutoStar has soft-touch keys designed to have a positive feel. The LCD (Liquid Cr dark. The backlit display, key arrangement, and sequential database make AutoStar extremely user friendly.

ystal Display) is backlit with a red LED (Light Emitting Diode) for easy viewing in the

Note: AutoStar does not require batteries; the telescope’s batteries supply power to AutoStar.

b 2-Line LCD Display: Provides a visual interface between AutoStar and the telescope.

op line:

•

• Bottom line: Displays a menu option or information about a subject.

ys a menu item, or a menu option.

Displa

c ENTER Key: Accesses the AutoStar menus. See MOVING THROUGH AUTOSTAR'S MENUS,

page 17 and AUTOSTAR’S MENUS, page 21. The ENTER key is similar to the Return key on a computer.

Note: If ENTER is pressed for two seconds or more and then released, AutoStar emits a beep and “ENTER to Sync” is displayed. "ENTER to Sync" is relevant only after the telescope has been aligned and is pointing at an object. If the "ENTER to Sync" feature is accessed by mistake, press MODE to return to the previous screen. See

HIGH PRECISION, page 28, for more details about this feature.

d MODE Key: Returns to the previous menu. If you keep pressing Mode, it will continue to

access previous menus until the top level, “Select Item," is reached. The MODE key is similar to the ESCAPE key on a computer.

NOTE: If MODE is pressed and held for two seconds or more, the following information is then available using the Scroll keys (6 , Fig. 5):

• Right Ascension and Declination (astronomical) coordinates (see APPENDIX A)

• Altitude (vertical) and Azimuth (horizontal) coordinates

• Local Time and Local Sidereal Time (LST)

• Timer and Alarm Status

NOTE:

Throughout this manual, you will notice the term "Alt/Az." Alt/Az stands for altitude-azim is just a fancy way of saying the telescope mo and from side to side. Not all telescopes move like this. Alt/Az alignment is just one of many methods used by amateur astronomers to help locate stars in the night sky.

uth, which

ves up and down,

Press MODE again to return to the previous menu.

e GO TO Key: Moves the telescope to the coordinates of the currently selected object.While

the telescope is moving (or “slewing”), the operation may be stopped at any time by pressing any key except GO TO. Pressing GO TO again resumes the slew to the object.

f Arr

g Scr

ow Keys:Move the telescope up, down, left and right, at one of nine different speeds.

Speed selection is explained in

ys:

le with the Arro

•

Alt/Az Alignment - Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to move the telescope vertically up and down. The Left Arrow key rotates the telescope (horizontally) countercloc

• Data Entry - Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to scroll through the letters of the alphabet and n the Up Arrow key starts with the digit "9." The Left and Right Arrow keys are used to move the blinking cursor left and right across the LCD display.

oll K

the first line of the screen. second line key to move quickly through the options.

The Scroll k numerical digits.

alphabet & digits (A to Z, 0 to 9). backward (Z to A, 9 to 0). Common symbols are also available in the list.

w k

, while the Right Arrow key rotates it clockwise.

kwise

umer

Accesses men

Press the Scroll keys to move through a list of options. Press and

ys, like the Arrow keys, also scroll through the letters of the alphabet and

The Scroll Do

SLEW SPEEDS, page 16. The following functions are avail-

The Down Arrow key starts with the letter "A" and

ical digits

Options within the men

wn k

u options within a selected men

u are displa

y and the Do

wn Arrow key move forward through the

The Scroll Up key and the Up Arrow key move

The men

ed, one at a time, on the

u is displa

hold a Scroll

ed on

H Speed/? Key: Pressing the Speed/? key cycles through the nine slew speeds that move

TIPS

FOR BEGINNERS

the telescope. Each time the Speed/? key is pressed briefly, the current slew speed is shown for about two seconds on the display. See

The Speed/? k

ey also accesses the "Help" file. "Help" provides on-screen information on

SLEW SPEEDS, page 16.

how to accomplish whatever task is currently active.

NOTE: Pressing the Speed/? key very briefly changes the slew speed. Holding down the Speed/? key longer (one to two seconds) accesses the Help function.

Hold down the Speed/? key and then follow the prompts on the display to access details of AutoStar functions in the Help feature. The Help system is essentially an on-screen instruction manual.

If you have a question about an AutoStar operation,

e.g., INITIALIZATION, ALIGNMENT,

etc., hold down the Speed/? key and follow the directions that scroll on the second line of

the LCD screen. When a word appears in [brackets], press ENTER to access the AutoStar Glossary. A definition or more detailed information is displayed. Press MODE to return to the scrolling AutoStar Help display.

When satisfied with the Help pro

ue with the chosen procedure.

contin

vided, press MODE to return to the original screen and

I 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.

(

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 there’s 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 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

ks of the trade” to try out on your ETX tele-

“tr

See page 31 f

scope photography with the ETX.

roups also hold regular

y g

Man Parties at which you can check out and observe with many different telescopes and other pieces of astronomical equipment. Telescope and Astronomy print schedules for many popular Star Parties around the United States and Canada.

, e

or more inf

Magazines such as

, filters

epieces

ly scheduled Star

ipods,

, tr

mation about

Sky &

6a:

Fig.

Loosen the tr

king ring...

loc

Fig. 6b: ...push down as far as it will go.

ipod’s

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 page 34.

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.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Fig. 7: Thread bolts into

telescope base.

Fig.8:Line up bolts o

keylike holes.

Fig. 9: Loosen vertical lock to move optical tube.

Attach the Telescope to the Base

4. Thread the supplied bolts about two or three turns through the underside of the tele-

scope base (

5. Line up the bolts over the key-like holes on the base of the tripod and slide the bolts into

the holes (Fig. 8). Rotate the telescope clockwise until the bolts fit into the hole bays. Then, reach under the tripod base and tighten the bolts to a firm feel.

6. The optical tube is shipped with the tube upright between the forks. Loosen the vertical

lock ( vertical lock.

7. Remove the inverted dewshield from the end of the telescope. Remove the dust cap from

the end of the telescope by rotating it counterclockwise. Then thread the dewshield over the end of the telescope.

8: Remove the eyepiece cap from the 90 degree eyepiece holder and also the cap from the

rear cell port. Screw on the 45 degree prism to the rear cell port.

9. You can put two eyepieces into this telescope at the same time: Slip a lower power eye-

piece piece into the 90 degree holder.You can switch between the two eyepieces by turning the flip mirror control to the up or down position.

Note: It is strongly recommended that you remove the 45 degree prism from the telescope during the alignment procedure. The prism can correct the orientation of land objects during the daytime, but is not necessarily needed for astronomical viewing. You may use it, but during alignment the prism might strike the telescope base and obstruct the align process.

Fig. 7).

Fig. 9) and move the optical tube down between the fork arms. Then, re-tighten the

, such as a 25mm or 26 mm eyepiece into the 45 degree prism and another eye-

Focus knob.

Fig 10.

Insert batteries.

Fig 11.

Fig 12. Plug AutoStar into the HBX port of the computer control panel.

Fig 13. Thread the dust cover onto the tube.

Fig 14. The dewshield.

Secure the eyepieces in place with their respective thumbsrews.

10.

Tip: Always start observing using a low power 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

uch narrower field of view and it’s more difficult to locate objects using high powered

a m eyepieces.

11. You can focus the eyepieces by turning the focus knob.

Tip: The focus knob has a very fine focus, so you may have to turn the knob 20 complete turns or more to focus on an object.

Connect the AutoStar Handbox

12. Lift the battery cover. Now gently remove the battery holder from the compartment so you don’t accidentally pull out the wires attached to the holder. Insert 6 user supplied “AA” batteries in the holder. Refer to the diagram on the holder to orient the batteries properly. Replace the holder back into the battery compartment and replace the lid.

13. Make sure that the computer control panel power switch is in the OFF position. Remove AutoStar from the packing materials and plug it into the HBX port.

14. Flip the Power Switch on the computer control panel to the ON position. The copyright message lights on AutoStar’s LCD display.

Press the key prompted by AutoStar to accept the Sun warning.

15.

Stowing your Gear in the Backpack

First disassemble the telescope assembly.

1. Loosen the vertical lock. Now move the tube to an upright position so that it is pointing straight up through the fork arms and re-tighten the vertical lock.

2. Loosen the bolts on the underside of the tripod base, rotate the telescope counterclockwise, and lift the telescope off of the tripod. Now remove the bolts from the base.

3. Unscrew the dew shield. Thread the dust cover over the end of the telescope. Then flip the dewshield over and place it over the end of the tube.

4. Next, close and lock the tripod: Hold the tripod by its handle and turn the locking ring to loosen the tripod mechanism.

5. Lift the locking ring as far as it will go. Turn the locking ring to tighten the tripod in place.

Caution: Be careful not to close the tripod legs on your fingers.

Now, place the accessories and telescope into the backpack.

6. Put the eyepiece container into the provided pouches in the accessory compartment with the “lip” at the top. Place the bolts

7. Stow the ETX telescope in your backpack. Use the velcro tape inside of the backpack to

further secure it in place. Place the AutoStar handbox into the lower section of the pack.

9. Zip up the pack. Slide the tr

10.

ou carr

y and mo

, prism into their respective pouches. Zip up the accessory compartment.

ipod under the loops on the pac

y the pac

e the lock down toward the tripod with your other hand.

k. Secure the tripod using the loop lock: Hold the knot with one hand

k so that the f

eet will face downward when

Fig 15. Secure the telescope in the backpack using the velcro strap.

Safety Precautions

• Take care not to allow the telescope to be jolted severely while hiking.

• Try not to run for any significant distance. Don’t toss the telescope in the pack on the

round.

Excessiv

e vibrations may damage the telescope.

• The backpack is made of water-resistant material, but isn’t waterproof. Some areas, such as the zipper seam might allow rain to penetrate and cause damage to the telescope.

+ 30 hidden pages