The Meade SC telescope:
This telescope is a classic Schmidt-Cassegrain in proven Meade quality. Despite the long focal length, the OTA design is very short, making the system a very compact telescope which is extremely easy to transport. The light initially falls onto an aspheric Schmidt corrector plate, which refracts it onto the spherical main mirror. This reflects the light back up to a secondary mirror which then reflects it back down towards the main mirror again. The light bundle finally passes through a central hole in the main mirror and into the focuser at the bottom of the OTA. This means that it is a closed system and does not suffer from air turbulence, which could degrade the image. Of course, it also means that it is optimally protected from dust entering the OTA. The Schmidt corrector plate is multi-coated, ensuring bright images that are not reflection-degraded. These optics provide a very good, sharp, high-contrast image, guaranteeing a lot of fun when planetary observing. The Schmidt-Cassegrain design is a good all-round system for observing and photography, with a huge range of optional accessories. The viewing angle into the lower end of the OTA allows straightforward orientation. The telescope can also be optimally used for occasional terrestrial observing (e.g., at close range for bird watching). The Meade SC optics are designed with an aperture ratio of about 1:10, so astrophotography also becomes very possible. Focusing by moving the main mirror ensures a very large focusing range, enabling virtually any accessory to be employed.
Telescope features:
- long focal length with short design
- lightweight aluminium OTA
- high quality UHTC multi-coating
- Pyrex primary and secondary mirrors
- closed system
The Meade LX80 mount:
The precision engineered worm drives for the new Meade LX80 mount ensures precise tracking in both axes. The adjustable Periodic Error Correction available when in equatorial operation mode makes the LX80 a mount that is suitable for both visual observing and photographic use.
AudioStar computer control hand box
The Meade 'AudioStar' computer control locates and positions the telescope for observing over 30,000 objects in the night sky. The 'Astronomer Inside' digital audio technology means everyone around the telescope can listen and learn about more about 500 celestial objects. This database includes details about the Moon, planets, nebulae, star clusters, and much more.
The GoTo control can be used in both altazimuth and equatorial modes.
Tripod fine adjustment
The robust steel tube tripod with the LX80 can be adjusted in height from about 770 to 1190mm. It also has a fine adjustment range of approximately 5mm per leg.
