Orion 9964 Care and Maintenance, Specifications, Planets, Stars, Deep-Sky Objects

C. The Planets

The planets don’t stay put like the stars, so to find them you should refer to “This Month’s Sky Summary” in the Learning Center section of our website (telescope.com). Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn are the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun and the Moon. Your StarBlast 6 is capable of showing you these planets in some detail. Other planets may be visible but will likely appear star-like. Because plan- ets are quite small in apparent size, optional higher-power eyepieces are recommended and often needed for detailed observations. Not all the planets are generally visible at any one time.

JUPITER: The largest planet, Jupiter, is a great subject for observation. You can see the disk of the giant planet and watch the ever-changing positions of its four largest moons - Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede.

SATURN: The ringed planet is a breathtaking sight when it is well positioned. The tilt angle of the rings varies over a period of many years; sometimes they are seen edge-on, while at other times they are broadside and look like giant “ears” on each side of Saturn’s disk. A steady atmosphere (good seeing) is necessary for a good view. You will prob- ably see a bright “star” close by, which is Saturn’s brightest moon, Titan.

VENUS: At its brightest, Venus is the most luminous object in the sky, excluding the Sun and the Moon. It is so bright that sometimes it is visible to the naked eye during full day- light! Ironically, Venus appears as a thin crescent, not a full disk, when at its peak brightness. Because it is so close to the Sun, it never wanders too far from the morning or eve- ning horizon. No surface markings can be seen on Venus, which is always shrouded in dense clouds.

D. The Stars

Stars will appear like twinkling points of light. Even powerful telescopes cannot magnify stars to appear as more than a point of light. You can, however, enjoy the different colors of the stars and locate many pretty double and multiple stars. The gorgeous two-color double star Albireo in Cygnus is a favorite. Defocusing a star slightly can help bring out its color.

E. Deep-Sky Objects

Under dark skies, you can observe a wealth of fascinating deep-sky objects, including gaseous nebulas, open and globular star clusters, and a variety of different types of gal- axies. Most deep-sky objects are very faint, so it is important to find an observing site well away from light pollution. Take plenty of time to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Do not expect these subjects to appear like the photographs you see in books and magazines; most will look like dim gray smudges. Our eyes are not sensitive enough to see color in

deep-sky objects except in a few of the brightest ones. But as you become more experienced and your observing skills get sharper, you will be able to ferret out more and more subtle details and structure.

To find deep-sky objects in the sky, it is best to consult astronomy software such as Starry Night, star chart, or Planisphere. These guides will help you locate the brightest and best deep-sky objects for viewing with your StarBlast 6.

You can also try low-power scanning of the Milky Way. Use the 25mm eyepiece and just cruise through the “star clouds” of our galaxy. You’ll be amazed at the rich fields of stars and objects you'll see! The Milky Way is best observed on sum- mer and winter evenings.

Care and Maintenance

If you give your telescope reasonable care, it will last a lifetime. Store it in a clean, dry, dust-free place, safe from rapid temperature changes and humidity. Do not store the telescope outdoors, although storage in a garage or shed is OK. Small components like eyepieces and filters should be kept in a protective box or storage case. Keep the dust caps on the front of the telescope and on the focuser when it is not in use.

The telescope requires very little mechanical maintenance. The optical tube is made of steel and has a smooth painted finish that is fairly scratch resistant. If a scratch does appear on the tube, it will not harm the telescope. Smudges on the tube can be wiped off with a soft cloth and a household cleaner.

Refer to Appendix B for detailed instructions on how to clean the optics of the StarBlast 6.

Specifications

Primary mirror diameter:	150mm
Primary mirror:	Parabolic
Secondary mirror minor axis:	47.0mm
Focal length:	750mm
Focal Ratio:	f/5.0
Mirror Coatings:	Aluminum	with SiO2
	overcoat
Focuser:	R a c k - a n d - p i n i o n ,
	a c c e p t s	1 . 2 5 "
	eyepieces
Eyepieces:	25mm and 10mm Sirius
	Plössl, 1.25"
Magnification:	30x (with 25mm), 75x
	(with 10mm)
Finder:	EZ Finder II reflex sight
Weight:	23.5lbs. (23lbs. 8oz.)
Tube Length:	28"

9