Meade Instruments LX90 ACF/SC - Manual (Page 43)

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#62 T-Adapter: The T-Adapter (Fig. 21) is the basic means of prime-focus photography through
all Meade LX90 models. Thread the T-Adapter on to the rear cell of your
telescope, followed by a T-Mount for your 35mm camera, and the camera body is rigidly
coupled to the telescope.
Variable Tele-Extender: For eyepiece-projection photography of the Moon and the planets, a
Tele-Extender is required. The variable Tele-Extender threads onto the telescope’s eyepiece-
holder, into which is inserted an eyepiece of typically about 26mm focal length; the 35mm
camera body couples to the tele-extender by means of a T-Mount. The Meade Variable
Tele-Extender permits a range of projection images.
Off-Axis Guider: The Off-Axis Guider (Fig. 22) provides a means during long-exposure
astrophotography for the photographer to monitor the tracking of the telescope to assure that
the telescope remains precisely positioned on the object being photographed. Like the
T-Adapter, the Off-Axis Guider couples the camera body to the telescope but it also causes a
small amount of the guidestar’s incoming light to be diverted at a right angle, where the star’s
position can be examined for tracking errors with an illuminated reticle eyepiece; position
corrections can then be effected using AutoStar.
Piggyback Brackets: Piggyback photography is one of the most popular and easiest ways to
get started in astrophotography. Attach your 35mm camera, with its own 35mm-to-250mm lens,
atop your LX90 in equatorial mode, and guiding the camera through the main telescope, wide-
field photos of the Milky Way of remarkable detail and clarity can be taken.
Dew Shield: In moist climates, water particles suspended in the atmosphere may condense on
the front surface of the telescope’s correcting plate. This dew formation may be inhibited to a
significant extent by the addition of a dew shield, essentially an extension tube attaching to the
front-cell of the telescope.
#541 AC Adapter: The optional #541 AC Adapter permits powering of the telescope via a
standard household (115v.AC) electrical outlet. Includes the #607 Power Cord (see below).
#607 Power Cord: Powering the LX90 telescope by means of an automobile cigarette lighter
plug requires the #607 Power Cord. With this 25 ft. cord, the LX90 may be powered for a full
night’s observing without risk of car-battery drain.
Deep Sky Imager Series: This high-performance, easy-to-use and affordable color CCD
camera (Fig. 23) suppresses electronic noise and does not compress data from the sensor to
increase picture quality. The Deep Sky Imager uses a full 16-bit analog-to-digital converter to
enhance picture depth, contrast and dynamic range. It is USB compatible for easy interface with
most Windows-based laptop computers. Includes AutoStar Suite which automatically sorts,
aligns and combines the best images, resulting in a highly detailed color image.
The following Deep Sky Imagers models and accessories are available:
• Deep Sky Imager II (DSI II) w/Autostar Suite
• Deep Sky Imager Pro II (DSI PRO II), w/Autostar Suite
• Deep Sky Imager Pro II (DSI PRO II), w/RGB Color Filter Set & Autostar Suite
• Deep Sky Imager III
• Deep Sky Imager Pro III
• Lunar Planetary Imager (LPI™) w/Autostar Suite
• Deep Sky Imager Fan Accessory, for DSI II cameras
• Deep Sky Imager RGB Color Filter Set for DSI PRO, DSI PRO II and DSI Pro III
Fig. 21: #62 T-Adapter.
Fig. 22: Off-Axis Guider.
Fig. 23: Meade Deep Sky
Imager