BUNDLE: 8" LX90-ACF with Equatorial Wedge
Description
LX90-ACF OTA and Tripod
The patented Meade Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optical design offers the coma-free pinpoint star images and flatter image fields greatly desired by discerning amateur astronomers, astrophotographers and professional observatories alike. This system also reduces the astigmatism and eliminates the diffraction spikes found in classical Ritchey-Chrétien designs. No competing Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope can make those claims.
The 8" LX90 has an 8” diameter f/10 ACF optical system (focal length 2000mm) and Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC) for maximum image brightness and contrast. Electronics include the advanced Meade AudioStar™ computer system with over 30,000 object library, multiple guided tours, High Precision Pointing capability, and Meade SmartDrive with Permanent Periodic Error Correction.
Precise and quick star alignment is done near effortlessly with an incorporated 16 channel genuine Sony GPS receiver. The AudioStar™ is flash-updatable via free downloads at Meade.com (optional cable required).
All LX90 models feature the solid and stable LX90 aluminum double fork mount, with fast slew speed adjustable from 1 to 7 degrees per second. Fine slewing and photographic guiding speeds can be adjusted from .01x to 1x sidereal in one one-hundredth increments. The mount and all electronics are internally powered by 8 (user supplied) C-cell batteries which will typically operate the telescope for a generous 60 hours (optional Meade Universal AC adapter also available). The mount also has mechanical locks in both axis allowing adjustment even without power.
The LX90 comes fully equipped with a heavy duty height adjustable Meade Field Tripod, 1.25" diagonal prism, Series 4000 26mm 5-Element Plössl eyepiece, and Meade AutoStar® Suite Astronomer Edition Software for PC and an 8x50 optical viewfinder with quick release bracket. Scope weight is 33 pounds with 19 pound tripod. Ships in 2 boxes.
Product carries full one year Meade factory limited warranty.
Equatorial Wedge
Meade 8" Equatorial Wedge #07002. Allows for polar alignment of Meade 8" model ACF and SC models, as required for long exposure astrophotography and imaging. For use with Meade Field Tripods as supplied with compatible models. Compatible with Meade LX90 models with addition of LX90 Wedge Adapter, item 07389.
Equatorial alignment is required for astrophotography and imaging exposures longer than about 5 minutes. The Meade 8" Wedge is mounted between a telescope and the tripod to accomplish the tilt of an equatorial type mount that matches the observer's latitude and permits precise polar alignment of your telescope. The wedge allows the astrophotographer to align the telescope's axis of rotation with the Earth's axis of rotation. This alignment eliminates stars in your long exposure photograph from appearing as a long arc, trail or streak due to an effect known as field rotation. For images under approximately 5 minutes a wedge is not necessary and the telescope can be set up in altitude-azimuth (alt-az) configuration as normally used for visual observation.
Features heavy duty cast aluminum construction with latitude and longitude fine adjustments and a compass to use the magnetic pole as a starting reference. For use with the Meade field tripods as supplied with all compatible models. Recommended for 8” telescopes. Compatible with Meade SC and ACF models including 2080, LX50 and LX200. Adapter required for use with all LX90 models, available separately as item 07389.
Product carries full one year Meade factory limited warranty.
Specifications
Clear Aperture | 8" |
---|---|
Optical Design | Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) |
Optical Coatings | UHTC™ |
Focal Length | 2,000mm |
Focal Ratio | f/10 |
Resolving Power (Dawes' Limit) | 0.570 arc-seconds |
Oversized Primary Mirror | Yes |
Viewfinder | 8x50mm with cross-hair reticle |
Eyepiece(s) | 26mm Series 4000™ Super Plössl |
Focuser Mechanism | Single Speed Focuser |
Diagonal | 1.25" diagonal prism |
Mount Type | Fork type; double-tine |
Hand Controller | AudioStar™ |
Object Database | 30,000 objects |
Pointing Precision (High-Precision Mode) | 1.5 arc-minute (+/-) |
Periodic Error Correction | Polar mode only (RA) |
Slow Motion Controls | Electronic |
Slew Speeds | RA and Dec:1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 128x sidereal and 1.5°/sec., 3°/sec., 6.5°/sec. |
Tracking Rates | Sidereal, Lunar, or custom-selected from 2000 incremental rates |
Control Panel | 12v Power port, On/Off Switch, Handbox port, 2x Aux ports |
Tripod | Standard Field Tripod |
Power | (Optional) 12v DC, 5 amp power supply |
Batteries (User-Supplied) | 8 x C cells |
GPS Receiver | Yes |
Electronic Focuser | Optional |
Smart Drive™ | Yes |
Astronomer Inside™ | Yes |
Anti-vibration Pads | Optional |
Wedge | Optional |
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