Now even the most novice amateur astronomer can locate and explore the planets, galaxies, and nebulae, as well as star clusters, asteroids, and comets, all at the push of a button. Because, "more than any other telescope, the Meade ETX has revolutionized amateur astronomy. Since it was introduced in 1996 it has become the standard by which others are judged, combining low price with optical excellence, a solid mounting, and...computerized 'GO TO' facilities."* Meade ETX Astro Telescopes, in four apertures, bring the full range of celestial images to your eye with astonishing levels of clarity, resolution, and definition.

ETX-70AT Astro Telescope

All of the major planets except Pluto are easily observable through the ETX-70AT. Study Saturn and its ring system; the primary cloud belts of Jupiter as well as its four major satellites; the Moonlike phases of Mercury and Venus; prominent features on Mars; the starlike images of the distant planets Uranus and Neptune. The Moon stands out in stark, almost three-dimensional detail - craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines. In our galaxy the telescope displays hundreds of nebulae, star clusters, double and multiple stars,

and variable stars - plus dozens of external galaxies in all their variations of form and structure. See the Autostar listing on the facing page for a complete compilation of database objects.

Terrestrial Observing: The Meade ETX-70AT also makes an excellent land-view instrument for the birdwatcher, the naturalist, or for the home with a view. Image quality and resolution typically far exceed levels normally expected of terrestrial telescopes. Terrestrial observers quickly appreciate the advantages afforded by the Autostar hand controller (see below). Using Autostar, many land objects can be readily followed, or tracked, from a distance, using one of nine selectable speeds.

* Quoted from Using the Meade ETX by Mike Weasner, Springer-Verlag, 2002.

Fork Mount with Dual-Axis Drive System: In conjunction with the telescope's Autostar hand controller, precision worm gear systems on each axis permit smooth pushbutton motions of the telescope. Integrated to one of the fork arms, the telescope's control panel serves as a central connection point for the hand controller (the HBX port), as well as for the RS-232 serial interface adapter (the AUX port), an adapter included with the optional #506 AstroFinder Software and Cable Connector Kit. Using the RS-232 interface, new or revised software may be downloaded through your PC to the telescope; the positions of Earth satellites may be updated for their observation

Flip-Mirror System: For observing in the standard 90° position, flip the internal, optical flat mirror "up." For terrestrial observing with the optional #933 45° Erecting Prism or for photography with the optional #64ST T-Adapter, flip the mirror "down."

Ultraportable and Simple to Use: Easy to carry to any observing location, whether a distant mountaintop or your own back yard, the Meade ETX-70AT telescope brings the excitement of astronomy to users of any age. Just place the telescope on any flat surface (or use the standard-equipment field tripod), do a quick, easy alignment of the telescope's computer to the sky, and start observing. Six internal (user-supplied) AA-batteries power the ETX-70AT for about 20 hours.

Autostar Hand Controller - "the greatest happening in amateur astronomy yet." For all of their advanced imaging capabilities, portability, ease of use, and contemporary cosmetic design, Meade ETX telescopes are above all uniquely defined by the revolutionary Autostar hand controller.

Included as standard equipment with the ETX-70AT, the #494 Autostar controller permits the automatic location of over 1400 celestial objects, including all of the following objects located in the telescope's onboard database:

Just enter the object you wish to observe on to the Autostar display, press GO TO, and watch as the telescope moves rapidly in seconds to place the object in the telescope's field of view. One observing session validates the prediction made by Sky & Telescope that "The ETX/Autostar concept will go down as the greatest happening in amateur astronomy yet."

Objects stored in the #494 Autostar's database include the entire range of celestial phenomena and are designed to keep the active observer busy for many a starlit evening.

The above database listing has been specifically chosen as suitable for observing with the ETX-70AT and provides an excellent introduction to the diversity of astronomical objects visible through the telescope.

In addition to its object-locating capabilities Autostar permits pushbutton centering of objects within the telescopic field at any of nine selectable speeds. Once Autostar locates an object, it directs the telescope automatically to track the object across the sky, compensating fully and precisely for the effects of the Earth's axial rotation.