#126 2x Barlow Lens:
An amplifying lens, the #126 2x Barlow Lens (Fig. 24) doubles
the powers of each eyepiece with which it is used. Insert the #126 into the telescope's
eyepiece-holder first, followed by an eyepiece. Example: By itself the SP 26mm eyepiece
yields a power of 48X with the ETX-90EC; when used in conjunction with the #126 2x
Barlow Lens, this eyepiece yields 96X.
The Meade #126 is an achromatic, high-performance, short-focus Barlow Lens, perfectly
suited to the low-profile design of the ETX-90EC. Lens surfaces are multi-coated for
maximum image contrast and light transmission.
Fig. 24: Use the #126 2x Barlow
Lens to double the magnification
of the eyepiece employed.
Fig. 25: #825 Right-Angle
Viewfinder.
#825 8 x 25mm Right-Angle Viewfinder:
Similar in optical characteristics to the 8 x
21mm straight-through viewfinder supplied as standard-equipment with the ETX-90EC,
the #825 right-angle viewfinder (Fig. 25) allows for a comfortable 90° viewing position.
The #825 viewfinder replaces the standard-equipment 8 x 21mm viewfinder and fits into
the same bracket on the telescope.
#64 T-Adapter:
The #64 T-Adapter (1, Fig. 26) is the basic means of
photography through the ETX-90EC. The adapter threads to the rear cell of the
telescope, followed by a T-Mount appropriate to your brand of 35mm camera.
With the #64 T-Adapter and T-Mount in place, the camera body is rigidly
coupled to the telescope's optical system, which in effect becomes the camera's
lens.
#880 Table Tripod:
Lightweight and extremely portable, the #880 Table Tripod
(2 and 3, Fig. 26) attaches quickly to the telescope drive base and provides a
sturdy platform for astronomical viewing. Two identical fixed tripod legs (3, Fig.
26) mount to holes on the side of the drive base. The adjustable standard tripod
leg (2, Fig. 26), with its two latitude scales, is mounted to one of two holes on
the bottom of the drive base and permits the telescope to be polar aligned for
latitudes between 22° and 48.5°. At higher observing latitudes the shorter high-
latitude tripod leg, also included and shown in Fig. 27, is substituted for the
standard tripod leg.
#1422 Low-Latitude Balance Weight:
If the ETX-90EC is to be used with the
#880 Table Tripod and polar-aligned at latitudes below 30°, the telescope can
become unbalanced, particularly if heavier accessories (e.g., a camera body)
are attached to the eyepiece-end of the telescope. The #1422 Low-Latitude
Balance Weight (4, Fig. 26) slides on to the standard tripod leg and enables
rock-solid stability of the telescope even at lower latitudes.
Fig. 26: Astronomical photography with the
ETX. (1) #64 T-Adapter; (2) Standard Tripod
Leg; (3) Fixed Tripod Legs; (4) #1422 Low-
Latitude Balance Weight.
Fig. 27: (1) High-Latitude Tripod Leg; (2)
Thumbscrew Lock.