Greetings, fellow astrophiles!
This in from the CNYO Classifieds section. To provide a level of privacy to the seller, please send me an email directly to info@cnyo.org and I’ll make the connecting email to the seller in a reply email.
The Meade 8″ LX90 is the first full capability, computer-controlled 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain ever offered in its price range. The LX90 Schmidt-Cassegrain is not only a high-resolution visual observing instrument but also is fully qualified for the more advanced areas of astronomy, including long-exposure CCD-imaging and astrophotography.
Special features of the 8″ LX90 include: (a) a die-cast-aluminum double-tine fork mount that rigidly supports the optical tube in all sky orientations; (b) worm gears of 4.9″-diameter on both telescope axes that permit smooth sidereal-rate tracking of celestial objects as well as precise guiding corrections during longexposure imaging; (c) a chromed-steel variable-height tripod that provides all the rigidity required in sensitive field applications — in fact, the same tripod as provided with the Meade 8″ LX200GPS.
Autostar Computer Controller: The LX90’s standard-equipment Autostar controller connects to the telescope’s control panel and permits an incredible array of telescope options:
• Automatic GO TO capability at 6.5°/sec on both axes, simultaneously, to 30,223 database objects, including: 13,235 deep-sky objects sorted by named objects; galaxies; diffuse nebulae; planetary nebulae; star clusters; including the complete Messier, Caldwell, IC, and NGC catalogs; 16,800 stars sorted by name, SAO catalog numbers, double and variable stars; the centroids of the 88 constellations; plus 200 memory locations for user-defined objects. 50 objects in the solar system: 8 major planets from Mercury to Pluto; the Moon; 26 asteroids; 15 comets; 50 Earth satellites, including the International Space Station and Hubble telescope
• Automatic GO TO capability to any object of known RA and Declination. Nine selectable slew speeds: 6.5°/sec, 3°/sec, and 1.5°/sec, plus 128x, 64x, 16x, 8x, 2x, and 1x sidereal. • Control of the telescope through your personal computer, using the RS-232 serial interface. (Requires optional #505 Connector Cable Set.)*
• Fast alignment of the telescope in either equatorial or altazimuth modes using any of three alignment functions, including the Meade-proprietary Easy Align.
• Unlike the hand controllers included with competing 5″ and 8″ SCT’s (and which require disassembly of the telescope electronics for memory upgrade), Autostar is fully upgradeable over the Internet: add the positions of new comets, update the positions of Earth satellites,even add new software as it becomes available.
