The LX90 mount:
Observing the starry heavens is now even easier, with this mount requiring no previous knowledge of the night sky. Simple set it up and go: all you have to do is to confirm a pre-positioned reference star suggested by the mount. The mount works on the same principle as large professional observatories and already contains the positioning data for over 30,000 celestial objects in the AutoStar hand box supplied: 13,235 DSOs, the complete Messier, Caldwell, IC, and NGC catalogues, 16,888 stars sorted by name and SAO number, 8 planets, the Moon, 26 asteroids, 15 comets and 50 artificial satellites. 200 targets can also be specially programmed by the user. All of these objects are slewed to quickly, precisely, quietly, and reliably: the GoTo function works at 9 different, freely selectable positioning speeds: 6.5°/S, 3°/S, 1.5°/S or 128x, 64x, 16x, 8x, 2x and 1x sidereal speed. The AutoStar hand box can be updated with the latest software via the Internet at any time. There are also databases for comets, asteroids, artificial satellites, etc. available for downloading on the Meade website. This means that the accuracy of the coordinates is ensured at all times and the LX90 is always up to date.
The motorized, 125mm diameter, worm-drive on each axis ensures precise tracking of all objects, even for long exposure astrophotography. The computer-optimized double fork mount features very high stability whatever the orientation of the OTA and is also extremely light weight. The proven, vertically adjustable Meade tripod ensures an almost vibration-free setup: an important aspect which contributes significantly to the overall performance of the system. The setup can be selected between altazimuth or equatorial. The AutoStar software suite supplied allows you to control the mount from an external computer; an autoguider port is available as an option. Operation can be via 12V batteries, car battery or plug-in power supply.
Included in delivery:
- AutoStar hand box with software
- GoTo function with 30,223 objects
- built-in battery compartment
This telescope, with its Schmidt-Cassegrain optics, leaves nothing to be desired - SC telescopes are suitable for all applications. No matter if you want to observe planets, far-off nebulae or galaxies, no matter if purely visually or also photographically, anything is possible with an SC telescope!
The compact optics ensure low leverage stress on the mount and make the telescope easy to transport. Focusing takes place internally and is so adjustable that even with astrophotographic accessories attached, focusing is usually no problem.
SC telescopes have a spherical primary mirror. This is usually a drawback, since only parabolic mirrors, as used in Newtonian telescopes, can also correctly focus off-axis light rays. The optical designer Bernhard Schmidt (1879-1935) therefore developed a special correction plate to take care of this. The plate is attached to the front of the OTA. Once used in combination with this Schmidt plate, SC telescopes produce a sharp image with no spherical aberration. This also has the advantage that the OTA is completely closed off at both ends, protecting the main mirror from contamination and preventing disturbing air turbulence.
The secondary mirror is mounted under the centre of this correction plate, and reflects the light back to the main mirror. There, it exits through a hole in the main mirror and through an opening in the back of the OTA. This folded light path is named after Laurent Cassegrain (1629-1693). Even professional telescopes use the advantages of this design - heavy accessories generate hardly any leverage stress and the telescope's eyepiece remains at almost the same height, even if objects of very different altitudes are being observed. This means that no ladder is required and the viewing position is comfortable and safe even for children - this is not unimportant, especially for balcony astronomers!
Advanced Coma-free Optics (ACF): Meade's ACF optical design eliminates the typical aberrations of all mirror optics. Thanks to ACF, the stars are also point-shaped right out to the edge of the image field, displaying no elongated comet-like distortions. The image field is flatter than that of classic Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. ACF optical systems show their strengths especially in astrophotographic applications.
Ultra-High Transmission Coatings (UHTC): This special multi-layer coating on the front correction plate provides up to 15% more light transmission. The result -brighter star clusters, finer details in nebulae and more surface detail on planets!
The AudioStar handheld control provides a database of 30,000 astronomical objects. Once aligned to the night sky, AudioStar can position the telescope to point to any of these objects and centre them in the eyepiece - of course only if the object is above the horizon. The GoTo functionality is supplemented by additional features, such as guided tours, position display and connection to a PC.
A special feature of the AudioStar controller is its built-in speaker. The built-in Astronomer Inside technology provides over four hours of audio commentary (in English only). The built-in astronomer will relate interesting information about astronomical objects located in the field of view!
It not only matters which telescope you buy but also where you buy it. Our additional services:
- We are a leading telescope dealer and know the devices we sell. Our customer service team will gladly help you after your purchase if you have problems with assembly or operation.
- We provide a copy of the 80-page Telescope ABC beginners handbook with every telescope.
- We also provide an edition of the exciting astronomy magazine, “Sterne und Weltraum” with each telescope.
