Product Description

In 1996 Meade, the world's largest astronomical telescope manufacturer, introduced the ETX, a low-cost and genuinely portable instrument capable of results close to the theoretical limits of optical performance. Since then several different models have been introduced, most of them controlled by on-board computers that automatically point the telescope at objects selected from a database of 12,000. Unfortunately not all these objects are visible when looking through the ETX! (They are included because they can be imaged with special equipment.) Mike Weasner is a world expert on the ETX range, and describes the "best" 100 objects to start with, and offers hints and tips about using and looking after the telescope to get the best possible results.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #243234 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 210 pages

Spaceflight, Vol.45, Issue 1, 2003
"If you own a Meade ETX it will show you what can be done and how to do it."

Customer Reviews

If you buy a Meade ETX then you need to buy this book.
I am eternally grateful to Mike Weasner for writing this book. The manual supplied with the ETX telescope was OK - as far as it goes - but this book has opened my eyes. The author has not been overly indulgent with astrophysics jargon, and there is a plethora of practical guidance to enable even the most inexperienced of amateur astronomers to get the most out of their 'Mighty ETX'. Highly recommended.

An essential accessory for any ETX owner!
I bought this book before I even got my etx125 a few moths ago, having seen it featured on "weasners mighty etx" website and i've read it cover to cover three times.
Not only does it provide invaluable information on caring for and servicing your telescope, it gives you an impartial and realistic expectation of what can actually be seen with these little beauties.
As anyone who takes up astronomy as a hobby will know - telescope manufacturers often exaggerate the abilities of their product and infer that you are actually buying the Hubble space telescope by printing highly resolved images of nebulae and galaxies on the box and in the manual - this book will give you a good overview of objects to be seen and how you will see them.
The book also serves as a beginners guide to astronomy and, whilst it primarily covers the ETX90, is relevant not only to the other scopes in the ETX range but to small telescopes in general giving tips to novices and old hands alike. For complete beginners it explains, in laymans terms, astronomical jargon and sheds light on some crucial equations and factors that anyone into this thing needs to know, showing how to calculate magnification and which eyepiece is best for any given application etc.
In short, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in astronomy and would go as far as to say that it is a crucial purchase for anyone who owns, or is considering investing in a Meade etx telescope - and, believe me, they are an investment!

using the meade etx
well santa just bought me shiny new etx meade 90ec and i thought getting started was easy....well i have to say i wish i had this book before i started! this makes everything easier and hence more enjoyable,just a shame meade dont package this with the telescope as its an essential purchase! The book concentrates mainly on the etx 90ec but would be handy for all meade's small telescope range. Pages are in black and white but written for the beginner and are clear and concise. Handy to take with you (i used to use the web for hints and tips) but thats no good upon a hilltop in winter!This guy knows his stuff and soon you will too ! i would recommend you read this book cover to cover to reap the most rewards, which is easy as its so enjoyable to read. Buy it if you a)are thinking of buying a meade/small scope or b)you have one. get it now!