Orion StarBlast 4.5 Instruction Manual page 8

You can also try a low-power (24mm) scanning of the Milky Way: just cruise through the "star clouds" of our galaxy. You'll be
amazed at the rich fields of stars and objects you'll see!
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. Seeing is best overhead, worst at the
horizon. Good "transparency" is especially important for observing faint objects. Transparency is judged by the magnitude of the
faintest stars you can see with the unaided eye (Mag.1 is very bright, 2 is dimmer, and so on... 4th magnitude or fainter is desirable).
Looking at the Little Dipper will show you how good the viewing is. If you can see all the stars, you are
doing pretty well. Be sure to wait until your eyes adapt to the dark.
8