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C. The Planets
The planets don't stay put like the stars, so to find them
you should refer to "This Month's Sky Summary" in the
Learning Center section of our website (telescope.com).
Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn are the brightest objects in the
sky after the Sun and the Moon. Your StarBlast 6 is capable
of showing you these planets in some detail. Other planets
may be visible but will likely appear star-like. Because plan-
ets are quite small in apparent size, optional higher-power
eyepieces are recommended and often needed for detailed
observations. Not all the planets are generally visible at any
one time.
JUPITER: The largest planet, Jupiter, is a great subject for
observation. You can see the disk of the giant planet and
watch the ever-changing positions of its four largest moons -
Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede.
SATURN: The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight when it
is well positioned. The tilt angle of the rings varies over a
period of many years; sometimes they are seen edge-on,
while at other times they are broadside and look like giant
"ears" on each side of Saturn's disk. A steady atmosphere
(good seeing) is necessary for a good view. You will prob-
ably see a bright "star" close by, which is Saturn's brightest
moon, Titan.
VENUS: At its brightest, Venus is the most luminous object
in the sky, excluding the Sun and the Moon. It is so bright
that sometimes it is visible to the naked eye during full day-
light! Ironically, Venus appears as a thin crescent, not a full
disk, when at its peak brightness. Because it is so close to
the Sun, it never wanders too far from the morning or eve-
ning horizon. No surface markings can be seen on Venus,
which is always shrouded in dense clouds.
D. The Stars
Stars will appear like twinkling points of light. Even powerful
telescopes cannot magnify stars to appear as more than a
point of light. You can, however, enjoy the different colors of
the stars and locate many pretty double and multiple stars.
The gorgeous two-color double star Albireo in Cygnus is
a favorite. Defocusing a star slightly can help bring out its
color.
E. Deep-Sky Objects
Under dark skies, you can observe a wealth of fascinating
deep-sky objects, including gaseous nebulas, open and
globular star clusters, and a variety of different types of gal-
axies. Most deep-sky objects are very faint, so it is important
to find an observing site well away from light pollution. Take
plenty of time to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Do not
expect these subjects to appear like the photographs you
see in books and magazines; most will look like dim gray
smudges. Our eyes are not sensitive enough to see color in
deep-sky objects except in a few of the brightest ones. But
as you become more experienced and your observing skills
get sharper, you will be able to ferret out more and more
subtle details and structure.
To find deep-sky objects in the sky, it is best to consult
astronomy software such as Starry Night, star chart, or
Planisphere. These guides will help you locate the brightest
and best deep-sky objects for viewing with your StarBlast 6.
You can also try low-power scanning of the Milky Way. Use
the 25mm eyepiece and just cruise through the "star clouds"
of our galaxy. You'll be amazed at the rich fields of stars and
objects you'll see! The Milky Way is best observed on sum-
mer and winter evenings.
Care and Maintenance
If you give your telescope reasonable care, it will last a
lifetime. Store it in a clean, dry, dust-free place, safe from
rapid temperature changes and humidity. Do not store the
telescope outdoors, although storage in a garage or shed is
OK. Small components like eyepieces and filters should be
kept in a protective box or storage case. Keep the dust caps
on the front of the telescope and on the focuser when it is
not in use.
The telescope requires very little mechanical maintenance.
The optical tube is made of steel and has a smooth painted
finish that is fairly scratch resistant. If a scratch does appear
on the tube, it will not harm the telescope. Smudges on the
tube can be wiped off with a soft cloth and a household
cleaner.
Refer to Appendix B for detailed instructions on how to
clean the optics of the StarBlast 6.
Specifications
Primary mirror diameter:
Primary mirror:
Secondary mirror minor axis:
Focal length:
Focal Ratio:
Mirror Coatings:
Focuser:
Eyepieces:
Magnification:
Finder:
Weight:
Tube Length:
150mm
Parabolic
47.0mm
750mm
f/5.0
Aluminum with SiO 2
overcoat
R a c k - a n d - p i n i o n ,
a c c e p t s
1 . 2 5 "
eyepieces
25mm and 10mm Sirius
Plössl, 1.25"
30x (with 25mm), 75x
(with 10mm)
EZ Finder II reflex sight
23.5lbs. (23lbs. 8oz.)
28"
9
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