Meade ETX 60

Product Description

The Meade ETX 60 telescope is a compact refracting telescope designed for novice astronomy enthusiasts. Meade ETX 60 features a 60 mm aperture and a 350 mm focal length, providing a balance between magnification and field of view. Autostar controller and software assist users in automatically locating and tracking celestial objects, offering a comprehensive night sky guide with a database of thousands of stars. ETX 60 uses an achromatic refractor design for clear, sharp images of space objects, well-suited for observing small, distant celestial bodies. Meade ETX 60 is built to be durable, travelable, and fits in a backpack, making it an excellent choice for beginners seeking an affordable, easy-to-use instrument for stunning views of the night sky.

Should you buy Meade ETX 60 as your first telescope?

Meade ETX 60 telescope offers a useful starting point for beginners. 60mm aperture is considered small, potentially limiting detailed observations. ETX 60 scope is suitable for viewing the Moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects. Beginners should think about expectations before purchasing. We recommend weighing pros and cons of the ETX 60 telescope.

Is ETX 60 Telescope easy to use?

ETX 60 Telescope is exceptionally easy to use. Meade designed this entry-level scope for beginners. Users set up quickly and navigate the interface effortlessly. The telescope locates and observes celestial objects rapidly. ETX 60 works like a refractor scope, using a lens to produce clear images. Novice astronomers enjoy excellent night sky views.

Should you buy ETX60 Meade Telescope for kids?

ETX60 Meade Telescope offers excellent value for enthusiastic young astronomers. Telescope’s 60mm aperture and 350mm focal length provide quality stargazing experiences. Price range of $200-$300 is reasonable for its specifications. Scope’s sturdy construction ensures durability. Buying decision depends on child’s interest level in astronomy. Serious young stargazers will benefit most from this investment.

What can you see with Meade ETX60AT?

The sights you can see with Meade ETX60AT are listed below.

• The Moon
• Jupiter
• Jupiter’s four largest moons
• Saturn
• Saturn’s largest moon Titan
• Andromeda Galaxy
• Orion Nebula
• Bright star clusters
• Double stars
• The Sun (with a proper solar filter)

Should you buy Meade ETX-60 to observe planets?

The Meade ETX-60 is not recommended for observing planets. Its small 60mm aperture provides limited planetary detail and makes planets appear small. Larger, brighter objects are better suited for the ETX-60’s capabilities. The telescope’s 350mm focal length and maximum useful magnification of 180x restrict the level of detail visible on planetary surfaces. Jupiter’s cloud bands appear blurry, Saturn’s ring divisions are not visible, and the Great Red Spot on Jupiter is difficult to discern. Astronomers recommend considering a larger aperture telescope, such as the Meade ETX-70, for improved planetary observation. The ETX-60 serves as an introductory telescope for beginners interested in wide-field views of celestial objects. Naked-eye planets are visible through the ETX-60, but observers interested in detailed planetary views will need to upgrade to a higher-quality telescope.

Should you buy Meade ETX 60 Refractor to observe galaxies?

The Meade ETX 60 Refractor is not recommended for observing galaxies. Its 60mm aperture and f/5.8 focal ratio lack sufficient light-gathering capacity for clear galaxy views. The ETX 60 excels at observing the Moon and planets, providing great views of these objects. Galaxies require a widefield deep sky scope with larger aperture and better optics. The ETX 60’s limiting stellar magnitude of 11.7 and resolution limit of 1.93 arcseconds restrict its ability to capture distant galaxies. Only the brightest and largest galaxies will be visible, with limited detail and clarity. Serious galaxy observers need a telescope with larger aperture and superior optics to compensate for poor viewing conditions. The ETX 60 is suitable for beginners or casual observers interested in planetary observation, not deep sky exploration.

Should you buy ETX60 Refractor Telescope for astrophotography?

The ETX60 Refractor Telescope is not recommended for astrophotography. ETX60 serves as an entry-level telescope for visual observation of planets and the moon. Chromatic aberration in refractor telescopes leads to color fringing and distortion in images. ETX60’s DC servo motors handle tracking of planets but lack accuracy for long-exposure guiding. The telescope’s fork mount and 1.25-inch focuser are unsuitable for supporting DSLR cameras. ETX60’s 60mm aperture and 350mm focal length provide good magnification for visual use. The f/5.8 focal ratio makes capturing detailed deep-sky object images challenging. Apochromatic refractors with pedestal mounts are preferred for astrophotography due to their ability to minimize chromatic aberration and provide stable, accurate tracking.

Is Meade ETX60 Telescope portable?

Meade ETX60 Telescope is highly portable. Backpack-friendly design allows easy transport to stargazing locations. Scope weighs only 9 pounds (4 kg) and measures 11.5 inches (29 cm) in length. Convenient carrying handle enhances mobility. Compact size makes it a neat addition to any backpack. Ideal choice for on-the-go astronomers.