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Meade - ETX-125PE with UHTC - ASTRO TUBE with 3 Year Sky Assurance and mySky Package
SUPER SPECIAL BLOWOUT PROMOTION!!! (while supplies lasts)
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$ 1083.99
$ 1487.99
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| 0515-03-31_SKY_04540
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Click here for recommended accessories |
SUPER SPECIAL BLOWOUT PROMOTION!!! (while supplies lasts) |
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EasyAlign with SmartFinder
Meade's new ETX-Premier Edition automatically levels your telescope, points it North and sets the time. You just enter your
location or zip code. After your ETX completes its patented Level North automatic alignment procedure it will point to the first
alignment star. Use the new wide-field SmartFinder to center the red dot over the alignment stars for ultra-precise pointing
accuracy, It's that easy.
* Electronic Level Sensor
* Electronic Magnetic North Sensor
* High Precision Clock
* Red Dot ViewfinderThis Telescope's Optical System . . .
* Maksutov-Cassegrain fully-coated optics: 125mm (5.0") aperture, 1900mm focal length, f/15 focal ratio. Guaranteed
diffraction-limited optical performance. The meniscus corrector lens is Grade-A BK7 optical glass. The primary mirror is
low-expansion Pyrex. There are standard aluminum coatings on the primary mirror and on the secondary mirror spot on the rear of
the meniscus corrector. Both aluminized surfaces are overcoated with silicon monoxide (quartz) for long life. Magnesium fluoride
antireflection coatings on both sides of the corrector lens provide high light transmission.
* Multicoated optics available as an option: For images that are up to 20% brighter, Meade offers the ETX-125PE with
optional UHTC(Ultra High Transmission Coatings) optics. These multicoated optics add the equivalent of a third of an inch of
additional aperture to the scope's light grasp, for brighter deep space images than a scope with standard coatings.
* Dust covers: A thread-in metal dust cover protects the meniscus lens. A thread-on metal cap seals the Cassegrain
focus on the rear cell.
* Finderscope: A straight-through wide-field red dot SmartFinder allows easy non-magnified views of the sky, with a
projected red dot of light showing exactly where the scope is pointed at all times.
* Star diagonal: Built-in first surface flip-mirror. For astronomical observing, the internal flip-mirror directs the
image to the 26mm Super Plössl eyepiece in the eyepiece holder at the top of the scope. Touch a lever, and the flip-mirror
redirects the image through the Cassegrain focus at the rear of the scope to an optional #64 T-adapter and T-ring for lunar or
terrestrial photography, or to an optional #932 45 degree viewing angle image-erecting diagonal for upright and right-reading
terrestrial viewing.
* Eyepiece: 1.25" 26mm Series 4000 Super Plössl (48x) specially modified to fit the scope's low profile eyepiece
holder. The eyepiece field of view is 1.04 degrees, more than twice the diameter of the full moon.
This Telescope's Mechanics and Electronics . . .
* Dual fork arm altazimuth mount: The optical tube is aluminum. A full-color photo of the Orion Nebula (M42) wraps
around the tube, adding a visual delight on the scope to the visual delights you can see through the scope. The rear cell, fork
arms, and drive base are durable metal-reinforced injection-molded plastic that helps keep the cost of the 125PE very reasonable.
While the molded parts of the 125E are quite rugged, a little extra care in setting up and using the scope might be prudent.
There are three rubber feet on the base of the scope. These allow the 125PE to be placed on a suitably sturdy tabletop or flat
surface for casual computerized observing without having to set up the supplied full length field tripod.
The mount includes built-in right ascension and declination DC drive motors so the supplied Autostar computer can automatically
track objects. The motors are powered for up to 20 hours by eight AA batteries (not supplied) that fit into an internal battery
compartment in the telescope base. They can also be powered by optional #541 AC/DC or #607 DC adapters.
When used in the default altazimuth mode on table or tripod, the supplied Autostar computer hand control moves the scope in any
of four directions (right/left, up/down) at any of nine speeds. The speeds range from 2x the sidereal rate for guiding, up to 5
degrees per second for locating objects and slewing, plus the sidereal rate for automatically tracking objects under the control
of the computer. No manual slow motion controls are provided – or needed. When set up on the supplied tripod for equatorial
(polar) operation, the Autostar computer converts the right/left, up/down altazimuth directions to motions in right ascension and
declination to correspond with the coordinates of objects on the celestial sphere.
* EasyAlign with SmartFinder, LNT (Level North Technology): The ETX-125PE contains an electronic level sensor, an
electronic magnetic North sensor, and a high precision internal clock. These components combine with the Level North Technology
software to make aligning on the sky as easy as remembering your own zip code. Simply take the scope outside and set it up on a
level surface or on its supplied tripod. Tell the scope your location – either your latitude and longitude or your zip code. The
scope will use its built-in level and magnetic North sensors to level the optical tube and point it North. The internal clock will
tell the software the correct time. The software determines where and when on earth it is and what the sky looks like overhead. It
then moves the scope automatically to an alignment star. If the star is not precisely centered under the red dot in the
SmartFinder, you can use the Autostar hand control pushbuttons to center it to improve the pointing accuracy. Let the scope repeat
the process for a second alignment star and you're ready to start observing. The LNT system makes using the scope almost as easy
as using a costly GPS-equipped telescope, but at a fraction the price.
* Autostar Software Suite (Astronomer Edition): This supplied software/hardware package consists of a
planetarium/telescope control program and a cable to connect the ETX-125PE to your PC or laptop. The Autostar Software Suite
(Astronomer Edition) is designed to integrate your telescope with a Windows-based PC or laptop computer for an enhanced range of
performance features.
It includes a planetarium program with a database of 19,000,000 stars and deep space objects to display on your computer screen.
The program has all the display and star chart-printing features of an advanced planetarium-type software program for stand-alone
use when nights are cloudy. If you connect the scope to your computer or laptop (using either the supplied cable), the program
lets you click on objects in the sky map display on the computer screen and have your 125PE automatically slew to those objects.
The software lets you control all Autostar functions from your computer or laptop. You can use it to create observing lists with
a simple point and click and download them to the Autostar for use in the field when you don't have your computer or laptop with
you. You can use it to control your telescope remotely via the Internet. "Talking Telescope" software (included) converts the
Autostar's text displays to synthesized speech and plays it through your computer speaker. An Autostar Update Tool keeps your
Autostar current by downloading the latest system firmware updates and comet, asteroid, and satellite data from the internet.
The minimum computer requirements for installing the Autostar Software Suite are a PC running Windows 98SE or better, with 64 MB
of RAM, and 100 MB of free hard disk space.
* Adjustable height tripod: The supplied full-length Meade #884 Deluxe Field Tripod provides a rigid mounting platform
for virtually any observing application, astronomical or terrestrial. It can be used for either standing or seated observing. The
#884 has tubular chromed steel legs and is adjustable in height from 26" to 44" when used in the altazimuth mode. It has a
built-in equatorial wedge with an integral latitude scale and no-tool latitude (altitude) adjustment for use at any observing
latitude between 20° and 90°. The 90° (altazimuth) position is for terrestrial observation and for quick set-up
astronomical observing. Setting the wedge tilt plate to your observing latitude and aligning the scope on the celestial pole
allows more accurate object location and sidereal rate tracking, but takes more time to set up.
The ETX attaches to the tripod in seconds using two thumbscrews in the wedge tilt plate. The thumbscrews are tethered and
spring-loaded so they can't be lost in the field. The spreader bar that holds the legs open is spring-loaded as well, so setting
up and taking down the tripod takes only a few seconds. There are six 1.25" diameter holes cut into the spreader bar to hold 1.25"
eyepieces. The tripod comes with a padded Cordura-style carrying case with carry handle, shoulder strap, and an external zippered
pocket for the spreader bar.
Includes:
* 125mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain optics with standard aluminum coated mirrors and magnesium fluoride coated corrector plate;
* Dual arm fork altazimuth mount with nylon right ascension and declination bearings;
* Electric slow motion controls and locks on both axes;
* Setting circles (3.5" diameter declination, 7" undriven right ascension);
* On/off switch, 12v input, auxiliary outputs, and computer hand control input in drive base
* Sidereal rate DC servo-motor drive powered by 8 user-supplied AA batteries
* Wide-field straight-through non-magnifying red dot SmartFinder;
* 1.25" 26mm Super Plössl eyepiece (48x);
* Built-in flip-mirror diagonal
* Metal dust cover for optical tube;
* #884 deluxe field tripod with built-in equatorial wedge;
* Autostar computer hand control with LNT (Level North Technology) and built-in database of more than 30,000 stars and
objects;
* Autostar Software Suite (Astronomer Edition) software and telescope to PC cable.
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mySKY is a fun, interactive, multi-media, hand-held guide to the universe that locates and identifies
celestial objects in the night sky. Featuring a full-color LCD screen and the added ability to control a Meade
computerized telescope, mySKY is clearly unlike anything else on the market. |
mySKY is the ultimate in simplicity: No knowledge of the night sky is needed. mySKY aligns itself without any input
from the user. Turn it on, point it at a celestial object, and pull the trigger to identify planets, stars, nebula, galaxies and
more – over 30,000 objects. Featuring open aiming sites that do not restrict your field of view, finding your target is easy.
Multi-media presentation on the full-color LCD screen: Your exploration starts with a simple video introduction of how to
use mySKY. Real-time, color SkyMaps guide you to the objects you want to locate. Sandy Wood, the familiar voice of StarDate
– a syndicated daily radio program, provides you with audio descriptions of the objects you have found. mySKY also takes
you on guided tours of the best objects in your sky -- tailored to your time, date and location.
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An important optional feature to optimize the performance of your Meade telescope.
Image brightness in a telescope is crucially dependent on the reflectivity of the telescope's mirrors and on
the transmission of its lenses. Neither of these processes, mirror-reflectivity or lens-transmission, is,
however, perfect; light loss occurs in each instance where light is reflected or transmitted. Uncoated glass,
for example, reflects about 4% of the light impacting it; in the case of an uncoated lens 4% of the light is
lost at entrance to and at exit from the lens, for a total light loss of about 8%. |
Early reflecting telescopes of the 1700's and 1800's suffered greatly from mirrors of poor reflectivity- reflection losses of 50%
or more were not uncommon. Later, silvered mirrors improved reflectivity, but at high cost and with poor durability. Modern
optical coatings have succeeded in reducing mirror-reflection and lens-transmission losses to acceptable levels at reasonable
cost.
Meade Standard Coatings: The optical surfaces of all Meade telescopes include high-grade optical coatings fully consistent in
quality with the precision of the optical surfaces themselves. These standard-equipment coatings include mirror surfaces of highly
purified aluminum, vacuum-deposited at high temperature and overcoated with silicon monoxide (SiO), and correcting lenses coated
on both sides for high light transmission with magnesium fluoride (MgF2). Meade standard mirror and lens coatings equal or exceed
the reflectivity and transmission, respectively, of virtually any optical coatings currently offered in the commercial telescope
industry.
The Meade UHTC Group: Technologies recently developed at the Meade Irvine coatings facility, however, including installation of
some of the largest and most advanced vacuum coating instrumentation currently available, have permitted the vacuum-deposition of
a series of exotic optical coatings precisely tuned to optimize the visual, photographic, and CCD imaging performance of Meade
telescopes. These specialized, and extremely advantageous, coatings are offered here as the Meade Ultra-High Transmission Coatings
(UHTC) group, a coatings group available optionally on many Meade telescope models.
In Meade catadioptric, or mirror-lens, telescopes (including the ETX-90EC, ETX-105EC and ETX-125EC; LX10, LX90, and LX200GPS
Schmidt-Cassegrains; and LXD55-Series Schmidt-Newtonians) before incoming light is brought to a focus, it passes through, or is
reflected by, four optical surfaces: the front surface of the correcting lens, the rear surface of the correcting lens, the
primary mirror, and the secondary mirror. Each of these four surfaces results in some loss of light, with the level of loss being
dependent on the chemistry of each surface's optical coatings and on the wavelength of light. (Standard aluminum mirror coatings,
for example, typically have their highest reflectivity in the yellow region of the visual spectrum, at a wavelength of about
580nm.)
Mirror Coatings: Meade ETX, Schmidt-Cassegrain, and Schmidt-Newtonian telescopes equipped with the Ultra-High Transmission
Coatings group include primary and secondary mirrors coated with aluminum enhanced with a complex stack of multi-layer coatings of
titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2). The thickness of each coating layer precisely controlled to within +/-1% of
optimal thickness. The result is a dramatic increase in mirror reflectivity across the entire visible spectrum; at the important
hydrogen-alpha wavelength of 656nm. - the predominant wavelength of emission nebulae - reflectivity is increased from 89% to over
97%.
Correcting Lens Coatings: Meade telescopes ordered with the UHTC group include, in addition, an exotic and tightly-controlled
series of coatings on both sides of the correcting lens or correcting plate, coatings which include multiple layers of aluminum
oxide (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and magnesium fluoride (MgF2). Per-surface light transmission of the correcting lens is
thereby increased at the yellow wavelength of 580nm., for example, to 99.8%, versus a per-surface transmission of 98.7% for the
standard coating.
The importance of the UHTC group becomes apparent when comparing total telescope light transmission, or throughput, caused by the
multiplier, or compounding, effect of the four optical surfaces. With each optical surface contributing significantly to telescope
light throughput, the effect of all four surfaces combined is indeed dramatic, as demonstrated by the graphs on the facing page,
as well as by the table of the brightest nebular emission lines. At the H-alpha wavelength of 656nm., total transmission increases
from 77% to 93%, an increase of 93/77 or 21% at all three nitrogen-III and sulfur-II wavelengths of 655nm. and 673nm.- prominent
lines in certain galactic nuclei and in supernova remnanats such as the Crab Nebula- transmission increases by 21%; ; at the
helium wavelengths of 588nm. and 469nm. - strong emission lines in hot planetary nebulae - total telescope transmission increases
by 18% and 19%, respectively; at the two nitrogen II lines of 655nm. and 658nm. and at the sulfur II line of 673nm., transmission
is increased by 21%. Averaged over the entire visible spectrum (450nm. to 700nm.), total light transmission to the telescope focus
increases by about 20%.
Observing with the UHTC: Meade ETX, Schmidt-Cassegrain, and Schmidt-Newtonian telescopes equipped with the UHTC present
dramatically enhanced detail on the full range of celestial objects - from emission and planetary nebulae such as M8, M20, and M57
to star clusters and galaxies such as M3, M13, and M101. Observations of the Moon and planets, since they are observed in
reflected (white) sunlight, benefit in image brightness from the full spectrum of increased transmission. The overall effect of
the UHTC is, as it relates to image brightness, to increase the telescope's effective aperture. Image brightness (i.e., the
ability to see faint detail) of the Meade 10" LX200GPS is, for example, effectively increased by about one full inch of aperture.
| Emission Line | Wavelength (nm.) | Transmission: Standard Coatings (%) | Transmission: UHTC Group
(%) | Increase* |
| Hydrogen-alpha (Ha) | 656 | 76.9 | 93.1 | 21% |
| Hydrogen-beta (Hb) | 486 | 75.3 | 85.8 | 14% |
| Oxygen III | 496 | 76.5 | 85.4 | 12% |
| Oxygen III | 501 | 77 | 85.4 | 11% |
| Helium II | 496 | 72.5 | 86.1 | 19% |
| Helium I | 588 | 79.5 | 93.5 | 18% |
| Nitrogen II | 655 | 77 | 93.2 | 21% |
| Nitrogen II | 658 | 76.7 | 92.8 | 21% |
| Sulfer II | 673 | 75.7 | 91.8 | 21% |
* The % increase is obtained by dividing the UHTC-transmission (column 4) by the standard coatings transmission
(column 3).
Effects on CCD Imaging: While the human eye loses sensitivity to light beyond wavelengths of about 700nm., CCD imaging chips
remain sensitive to about 750nm. and longer, wavelengths at which the reflectivity of an aluminum coating is near its lowpoint.
Importantly, however, the UHTC's total light transmission at 750nm. is 83%, vs. 72% for standard coatings, an increase of 83/72,
or 15%.
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