Table Of Contents; Unpacking; Parts List; Assembly - Orion starBlast 4.5 EQ Instruction Manual

C
ongratulations on your purchase of an Orion telescope.Your new StarBlast 4.5 EQ is a terrific starter
instrument for exploring the exotic wonders of the night sky. Designed to be compact and easy to use, it
will provide many hours of enjoyment for the whole family.
If you have never owned a telescope before, we would like to welcome you to amateur astronomy. Take
some time to familiarize yourself with the night sky. Learn to recognize the patterns of stars in the major
constellations. With a little practice, a little patience, and a reasonably dark sky away from city lights,
you'll find your telescope to be a never-ending source of wonder, exploration, and relaxation.
These instructions will help you set up, properly use, and care for your telescope. Please read them over
thoroughly before getting started.

table of contents

1. Unpacking
2. Parts List
3. Assembly
4. Getting Started
5. Setting Up and Using the
Equatorial Mount
6. Collimating the Optics
(Aligning the Mirrors)
7. Astronomical Observing
8. Care and Maintenance
9. Specifications
Warning: Never look directly at the Sun through
your telescope-even for an instant-without a
professionally made solar filter that completely
covers the front of the instrument, or permanent
eye damage could result. Young children should use
this telescope only with adult supervision.

1. unpacking

The entire telescope system will arrive in one box. Be careful
unpacking the box. We recommend keeping the original ship-
ping containers. In the event that the telescope needs to be
shipped to another location, or returned to Orion for warranty
repair, having the proper shipping containers will help ensure
your telescope will survive the journey intact.
Make sure all the parts in the Parts List are present. Be sure
to check boxes carefully, as some parts are small. If any-
thing appears to be missing or broken, immediately call Orion
Customer Support (800-676-1343) for assistance.

2. Parts list

Qty. Description
1 Optical tube assembly
2 Tube mounting rings
3
3
3
3
4
6
9
11
13
14
1 Equatorial mount
1 Latitude adjustment T-bolt
2 Slow-motion control cables
3 Tripod legs connected to accessory
tray bracket
1 Tripod accessory tray
1 Counterweight shaft
1 Counterweight
1 EZ Finder II reflex sight with mounting
bracket
1 15mm Expanse eyepiece
1 6mm Expanse eyepiece
1 Collimating cap

3. assembly

Assembling the telescope for the first time should take
about 30 minutes. All screws should be tightened secure-
ly to eliminate flexing and wobbling, but be careful not to
over-tighten or the threads may strip. Refer to Figures 1a.
and 1b. during assembly.
During assembly (and anytime, for that matter), Do not touch the
surfaces of the telescope mirrors or the lenses of the EZ Finder
II or eyepieces with your fingers; the optical surfaces have coat-
ings on them that can be damaged. Never remove any lens
assembly from its housing for any reason, or the product war-
ranty and return policy will be void.
1. Lay the equatorial mount on its side. Attach the tripod legs
one at a time to the mount using the screws installed in
the tops of the tripod legs. Remove the screws, washers,
and wingnuts from the tripod legs, then line up the holes
in the tops of the tripod legs with the holes in the base
of the mount. Reinstall the screws so they pass through
the legs and the mount. Place one washer on each screw
before doing this. After the screws are though the legs and
mount, place a washer and wingnut on each screw end
(Figure 2). Tighten the wingnuts only finger-tight, for now.
2. Tighten the leg lock knobs on the bottom braces of the
tripod legs. For now, keep the legs at their shortest (fully
retracted) length; you can extend them to a more desir-
able length later, after the tripod is completely assembled.
3