Mirror, Mirror
The optical design of this telescope includes high-resolution primary and secondary mirrors, free of the optical zones and irregularities often found in lower-quality optics. Standard alumimum optical coatings on the lenses increase light transmission through the optical system and increase image contrast, two very important factors in successful celestial viewing. Additionally, integrated on the focuser sleeves of these models is an achromatic relay lens that allows longer focal lengths to fit into a short, compact tube only 5.7" in diameter x 18" long. All Meade Digital Series telescopes resolve to the theoretical limits of their respective apertures, which is a fancy way of saying they grab all the light they can, so you have a better view. The 130 mm (5.1") mirror on this telescope provides images that are more than 265% brighter than what you would see through a 70 mm telescope, allowing you to view fainter, more distant objects in far greater detail. A large and exciting array of objects are visible with this telescope including: Saturn's rings (with enough detail to view the Cassini division in the rings); Saturn's largest moon (Titan); Jupiter's four largest moons; Jupiter's cloud belts; and craters, mountain ranges, and fault lines on our own Moon. You can also observe the Moonlike phases of the planet Venus and hundreds of deep-space phenomena like galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. This telescope provides stellar performance without the astronomic price you might expect. If you're serious about star gazing--but want to keep your budget down to earth--this telescope is certainly worth exploring.
The Convenience Of Computer Control
Since this telescope includes both Meade's dual-motor electronic control system and the compatible Autostar Computer Controller, all you have to do is plug it in, perform a quick alignment (less than a minute), and you'll soon be enjoying fascinating celestial views from commonly observed objects like the Orion Nebula, to harder to locate objects like the Ring Nebula in Lyra. Any of Autostar's database objects can be called up and entered in seconds. Then just press the GO TO button and watch as the telescope automatically moves to the object and places it in the field of view. Autostar's database holds over 1,400 celestial objects including: deep space objects, 863 stars, the eight major planets (Mercury to Pluto), 26 asteroids, 15 periodic comets, and 50 Earth-orbiting satellites. If the object you wish to view is not in the database, just enter the object's coordinates (right ascension and declination) and Autostar will locate it. This is great for viewing irregularly-occurring phenomena like some comets. You can also add the locations of a number of user-defined objects and go back to them at any time. The Autostar display provides information on the mythology of constellations and important objects located within their boundaries, as well as over twenty other menu options, including major event menus with useful data on Moon phases, equinoxes, and more. Plus, there are utility functions like a timer, alarm, eyepiece power calculator, and others. If you just want to scan the skies, use the Autostar's entry keys to move the telescope on either or both axes simultaneously (9 speeds, from 1x sidereal to 5.5 degrees per second); or select a Guided Tour and Autostar will automatically take you to the best objects to view on any particular night.
Support Your Scope
Steady support is extremely important to getting the best performance from your new telescope. Even a minute movement can ruin your view when you're looking at something out in space, and you certainly don't want your scope tipping over! That's why Meade offers you their support. Included with your new telescope is a heavy-duty aluminum full-length tripod with a built-in accessory tray for added convenience. The fully adjustable legs provide extra portability and easy set-up while giving your telescope the stable support it needs.
It's Full of Stars
Meade's StarNavigator software is also included with your Digital Series telescope. This easy-to-use and informative software package displays more than 10,000 celestial objects including galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and planets. With StarNavigator, even a novice astronomer can easily locate and identify objects for viewing. You can also use StarNavigator to print star charts for observing sessions or reports. StarNavigator is compatible with any Windows-based personal computer.
Included With Purchase:
Autostar Computer Controller, battery pack accepting eight AA batteries (not included), StarNavigator software, field tripod, and Instruction Manual.
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