Table of Contents, Assembly, Getting Started

Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Using Your Telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Appendix A: Aligning the Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Appendix B: Cleaning the Optics . . . . . . . . . .11

Assembly

Assembly of the StarBlast is very easy. You just remove it from its packaging, place the telescope on a table or other flat sur- face and locate the following accessories:

1 EZ Finder II reflex sight (2)

117mm Explorer II eyepiece (1)

16mm Explorer II eyepiece (11)

Attaching the EZ Finder II

Remove the two metal thumbnuts from the optical tube (Figure 3). Place the bracket of the EZ Finder II (2) on the tube so that the holes in the bracket slide over the two thread- ed posts on the tube. The EZ Finder should be oriented so that it appears as in Figure 1. Thread the thumbnuts back onto the posts to secure the EZ Finder II in place.

Figure 3. The EZ Finder II securing thumbnuts.

Inserting the Eyepiece

Loosen the eyepiece securing thumbscrews (14). Insert the chrome barrel of the 17mm Explorer II eyepiece (1) into the focuser (4) and secure it with the thumbscrews.You can place the 6mm Explorer II eyepiece (11) in the eyepiece rack (10) for use later.

Your telescope is now fully assembled and should resemble Figure 1. Remove the dust cap from the front of the telescope when it is in use. Replace it when you are finished observing.

WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun through your telescope or its finder scope—even for an instant—without

a professionally made solar filter that completely covers the front of the instrument, or permanent eye damage could result. Young children should use this telescope only with adult supervision.

Getting Started

It’s best to get a feel for the basic functions of the StarBlast dur- ing the day, before observing astronomical objects at night. This way you won’t have to orient yourself in the dark! Find a spot outdoors where you’ll have plenty of room to move the tele- scope, and where you’ll have a clear view of some object or vista that is at least 1/4 mile away. It is not critical that the tele- scope be exactly level, but it should be placed on something relatively flat to ensure smooth movement.

The StarBlast was designed specifically for visual observation of astronomical objects in the night sky. Like all Newtonian reflec- tor telescopes, it is not well suited for daytime terrestrial usage because the image in the eyepiece is inverted (upside-down).

Placing the StarBlast

One of the great assets of the StarBlast is its extremely portable size. Due to its overall short height, you will find that viewing while sitting down on the ground next to the telescope is the most comfortable. If you wish to raise the telescope off the ground so that it can be used while standing or sitting in a chair, then a platform, such as a milk crate or table, can be used.

Altitude and Azimuth (Aiming the Telescope)

The StarBlast altazimuth base (5) permits motion along two axes: altitude (up/down) and azimuth (left/right). See Figure 4. Moving the telescope up/down and right/left is the “natural” way people aim objects which makes pointing the telescope intuitive and easy.

Simply take hold of the telescope tube (Figure 5) and move it left or right so that the base rotates. Move it up or down in the same manner. Both motions can be made simultaneously and in a continuous manner for easy aiming. This way you can point to any position in the night sky, from horizon to horizon.

You may find it convenient to hold one hand near the carrying handle (9) to steady it while moving and aiming the telescope.

If you find that it is too hard to put your eye up to the eyepiece

(1), you can rotate the tube by loosening the knob on the tube clamp (5) and rotating the optical tube (3) until the focuser (4) is in a convenient position.

When aiming the telescope in altitude, you may find that the optical tube (3) is either too hard to move or does not stay in place. Use the altitude adjustment tension knob (6) to change the amount of tension between the tube clamp (5) and the altazimuth base (8) to find the right level of tension to prop- erly move and balance the telescope.