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Orion StarBlast 4.5 Instruction Manual

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MEO Central Library
(757) 385-0150
and the Library Telescope Program of the
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers
Orion StarBlast 4.5" Telescope
Orion StarBlast 4.5" Telescope
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun through this telescope or its finder
scope — even for an instant — as permanent eye damage could result. Do not
point the telescope at the Sun, as parts will melt! Children should use this
telescope only with adult supervision.

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Summary of Contents for Orion StarBlast 4.5

  • Page 1 MEO Central Library (757) 385-0150 and the Library Telescope Program of the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers Orion StarBlast 4.5" Telescope Orion StarBlast 4.5" Telescope INSTRUCTION MANUAL WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun through this telescope or its finder scope — even for an instant — as permanent eye damage could result. Do not point the telescope at the Sun, as parts will melt! Children should use this telescope only with adult supervision.
  • Page 2 Introduction The BBAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit scientific and educational organization dedicated to “Bringing Astronomy to the People of Hampton Roads.” Founded on December 14, 1978, we are a group of amateur astronomers drawn together by a common interest in observational astronomy. The BBAA is an active member society of the Astronomical League and a part of NASA’s Night Sky Network Visit backbayastro.org...

  • Page 3: Telescope Parts

    Telescope Parts 1) Eyepiece (Zoom 8 to 24 mm) 2) EZ Finder with AA battery box (See picture below) 3) Telescope tube 4) Focuser (See picture below) 5) Tube Clamp 6) Altitude Clamp 7) Mirror Assembly 8) Support 9) Handle 10) Eyepiece rack (removed) 11) Eyepieces 12) Mount Feet...
  • Page 4 Focuser EZ Finder II 15) Focus wheels 16) Eyepiece securing screws (Don’t attempt to adjust)

  • Page 5: Care And Maintenance

    Transporting the Telescope The easiest way to carry the scope is to use the handle (Number 9 in the picture on page 3). If the scope is too heavy for you to do that you can place your forearm under the telescope tube when it is in a level position, and lift, holding the upright support against your side.

  • Page 6: Aligning The Mirrors

    Aligning the Mirrors Again, please don’t. If it seems that the telescope is in need of adjustment, please tell the Librarian. 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).

  • Page 7: Getting Started

    This is important enough to say again: WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun through this telescope or its finder scope — even for an instant - as permanent eye damage could result. Do not point the telescope at the Sun, as parts will melt. Young children should use this telescope only with adult supervision.
  • Page 8 Do You Wear Eyeglasses? If so, you will probably be able to observe with your glasses off by just refocusing the telescope to your unaided vision. If your eyes are astigmatic, images will probably appear best with glasses on. This is because a telescope’s focuser can accommodate for nearsightedness or farsightedness, but not astigmatism.
  • Page 9 Operating the EZ Finder A “finderscope” helps you point the scope. It is similar to a rifle sight. The EZ Finder works by projecting a tiny red dot onto a screen mounted in the front of the unit, so that when you look through the screen, the red dot will appear to float in space.
  • Page 10 Align the Finderscope It is important that the finderscope and the telescope tube are parallel and pointing in the same direction. With the eyepiece adjusted for low power (24 mm), aim the telescope in the general direction of an object at least 1/4-mile away. Slowly rotate the focus wheels until the object comes into sharp focus.

  • Page 11: Objects To Observe

    What to Expect Depending upon what is in the sky; Planets will look small, but you might be able to see cloud bands on Jupiter or the rings of Saturn. Craters on the Moon will be clear and numerous, the waxing and waning of Venus should be visible, and many bright deep-sky objects will fill the eyepiece.
  • Page 12 border between the dark and light portions of the disk (called the “terminator”). Use the Map on the telescope tube to find the major craters and features. If the Moon is too bright, or you want a bit more contrast, remove the small gray plug from the dust cover and put the cover back on the telescope.

  • Page 13: Deep-Sky Objects

    Many constellations have numerous objects hidden within them that are only visible with a telescope or binoculars. Pay particular attention to objects with a “Messier Number”, like The Orion Nebula (M-42) and the Andromeda Galaxy (M-31). First published in 1774, Charles...

  • Page 14: Star Hopping

    Messier made this list to help observers identify objects that might be mistaken for comets. Messer’s list includes some of the brightest and most attractive deep sky objects observable from the northern hemisphere Star Clusters are particularly pretty, usually bright and easy to see. Note that some Messier Objects are very faint, and will take a while to find and see.
  • Page 15 When To Go Observing “Seeing” and Transparency Atmospheric conditions vary significantly from night to night. “Seeing” refers to the steadiness of the Earth’s atmosphere at a given time. In conditions of poor seeing, atmospheric turbulence causes objects viewed through the telescope to “boil”. In conditions of good seeing, star twinkling is minimal and images appear steady in the eyepiece.

  • Page 16: Weather Forecasting

    One more time, and with Feeling! WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun through this telescope or its finder scope — even for an instant — or permanent eye damage could result. Do not point the telescope at the Sun, as parts will melt! Children should use this telescope only with adult supervision Weather Forecasting On the BBAA website you can find Clear Sky Charts...

  • Page 17: Website Links

    Website Links Astronomical League: https://www.astroleague.org/ NASA Night Sky Network: https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/ Back Bay Amateur Astronomers website: backbayastro.org BBAA Contact Email: info@backbayastro.org Monthly Sky Calendar: https://www.telescope.com/content.jsp?pageName=Monthly-Star-Chart Astronomy.com: “The Sky This Week”: http://astronomy.com/ Sky & Telescope “This Week’s Sky At a Glance”: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/sky-at-a-glance/ Rise and set times of our solar systems objects: http://backbayastro.org/whatsup.php Hampton Roads Weather Conditions for Astronomy:...
  • Page 18 Quote The immense distances to the stars and the galaxies mean that we see everything in space in the past – some as they were before the Earth came to be. Telescopes are time machines. — Carl Sagan Please say “Thank you” to the librarian for being the curator for this “time machine”!

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