Orion 9964 Getting Started, Attaching the EZ Finder, Attaching the eyepiece rack

then a flat washer onto each of the socket-head cap screws. Attach one of the two tube rings (5) to the base bracket

(18)with a washer-equipped screw using the included hex key (19) (Figure 3). Rotate the base bracket 180° so the remaining attachment hole is accessible. Attach the remain- ing tube ring to the base bracket with the remaining washer- equipped screw using the hex key. Be sure to orient the tube rings so the knurled ring clamps on the rings are on the same side.

Tube ring

Base bracket

Flat washer Lock washer

Socket head cap screw

Hex key

Figure 3. Attaching a tube ring to the base bracket.

Open the tube rings (5) by loosening the knurled ring clamps. Place the optical tube (3) in the open rings so the objective (front) end of the telescope points upward. While grasping the optical tube (3) firmly, close the rings around the tube and loosely tighten the knurled ring clamps. Adjust the position of the optical tube in the tube rings so the bot- tom of the mirror cell just clears the hardware of the altaz- imuth base when pointed straight up.

In order to view through the StarBlast 6 comfortably, you can adjust the orientation of the focuser (4) by rotating the opti- cal tube (3) within the tube rings (5). Loosen the knurled ring clamps on the tube rings (5) by a few turns. Now, gently rotate the optical tube (3) within the tube rings (5) until the focuser (4) is properly oriented (Figure 1). Once you have positioned the focuser appropriately, tighten the knurled ring clamps to secure the telescope.

Attaching the EZ Finder II

Slide the base of the EZ Finder II (2) bracket into the dove- tail holder (Figure 4) that is pre-installed on the optical tube

(3). The EZ Finder II should be oriented so that it appears as in Figure 1. Tighten the thumbscrew on the dovetail hold- er to secure the EZ Finder II in place.

Attaching the eyepiece rack

The eyepiece rack (11) can be installed so that it can be removed, or so it is permanently attached. Place the eye- piece rack (11) onto the two Phillips head screws on the side of the altazimuth base using the “keyhole” features on the rack. If you want to be able to remove the rack during transport or while in storage, be sure the screws are loose enough so you can lift the rack and remove it from the base

Dovetail holder

Thumbscrew

Figure 4. The EZ Finder II dovetail holder.

through the larger portions of the “keyhole” features. If you wish to permanently attach the rack to the base, tighten the two Phillips head screws with a screwdriver.

Inserting the Eyepiece

Loosen the eyepiece securing thumbscrews (15) (Figure 2). Insert the chrome barrel of the 25mm Sirius Plössl eye- piece (1) into the focuser (4) and secure it with the thumb- screws. You can place the 10mm Sirius Plössl eyepiece

(12)in the eyepiece rack (11) for use later.

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

Getting Started

It’s 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 won’t have to orient yourself in the dark! Find a spot outdoors where you’ll have plenty of room to move the telescope, 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 telescope be exactly level, but it should be somewhat level to ensure smooth movement.

The StarBlast 6 was designed specifically for visual obser- vation of astronomical objects in the night sky. Like all Newtonian reflector telescopes, it is not suited for daytime terrestrial usage because the image in the eyepiece is inverted (rotated 180°). The eyepiece will also be too low to the ground for comfortable viewing when pointed near the horizon.

Placing the StarBlast 6

One of the great assets of the StarBlast 6 is its extremely portable size. Due to its overall short length, you will find that viewing while sitting 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, sturdy table, or the hood of a car can be used.

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