Using Your Telescope - Orion StarBlast 6 Instruction Manual

Figure 3.
Find the pilot holes in the side braces of the base and
attach the eyepiece rack with the two wood screws provided. You
will need a Phillips screwdriver to do this.
Balance the Optical Tube
The optical tube should be balanced on the mount so that it does
not freely rotate on its own when pointed at a target. The easiest
way to balance the tube is to simply slide the dovetail mount-
ing bar attached to the tube rings forward or back in the dovetail
saddle (Figure 5). You just loosen the saddle clamp knob, then
move the telescope forward or back. Retighten the clamp knob
and check the balance. Alternatively, you could move the opti-
cal tube within the tube rings by loosening the tube ring clamp
Drawtube lock
thumbscrew
2" collar
Focus wheels
Figure 4.
Insert an eyepiece into the focuser and secure it by
lightly tightening the thumbscrew..
4
Thumbscrew
Eyepiece
1.25" adapter
Tube ring
clamp knobs
Figure 5.
The tube rings and dovetail mounting bar hold the
telescope optical tube on the base. Slide the telescope forward or
back in the saddle by loosening the saddle lock knob.
knobs a little, then slide the telescope forward or back in the tube
rings until balance is achieved. Then retighten the clamp knobs.
III. Using Your Telescope
It is best to get a feel for the basic functions of the StarBlast 6
during the day, before observing astronomical objects at night.
This way you will not have to fumble around trying to orient your-
self in the dark! Find a spot outdoors where you have plenty of
room to move around the telescope, and where you have a clear
view of some object or vista that is at least 1/4-mile away. It is not
critical that the base be exactly level, but it should be placed on
somewhat flat ground or pavement to ensure smooth movement
of the telescope.
Remember, never point the telescope at or near the Sun
without using a proper solar filter over the front aperture!
Permanent eye damage could result.
Altitude and Azimuth Motions
The altazimuth base of the StarBlast 6 permits motion of the
telescope along two axes: altitude (up/down) and azimuth (left/
right) (Figure 6). Simply take hold of the top end of the tube
and move it left or right and up or down. Both motions can be
made simultaneously and in a continuous manner for easy aim-
ing. Move the telescope gently—let it glide. In this way you can
point the telescope to any position in the night sky, from horizon
to horizon.
Dovetail mounting bar
Dovetail saddle
Saddle lock
knob