Getting Started - Orion StarBlast 4.5" Instruction Manual

Fog on the mirrors and eyepieces: One of the odd things that happens when star-gazing is that
dew forms on pretty much everything (and everyone). The big mirror is tucked safely down at the
bottom of the telescope, and so it does not get much dew on it. Eyepieces, however, often have
dew form on them, making them useless until they warm up and dry out. If the eyepiece fogs up,
wrap your hands around it for a few moments. As it warms up, the fog should disappear. Please
don't wipe the lens with a tissue or cloth as it has special coatings on it that could be damaged if
you do. Please ask people to not touch the lens... ever.
The Eyepiece chart on the telescope shows what magnification you will have for each setting of the
Zoom Eye piece. The "True Field" describes the width of the image in the eyepiece. A full Moon
is 30 minutes of a degree (or ½ of a degree) wide, so you could fit about 4 full Moons in the field of
view when using the 8mm setting. Change the Zoom setting until your target fits the eyepiece the
way you like. You will have to tweak the focus.

Getting Started

Please read the instructions and practice with the telescope inside before you take it out in the dark.
The image will be much better if you let the telescope cool down to air temperature before you start
observing.
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