Orion StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector Telescope

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Orion StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector Telescope

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A fun, capable, and simple point-and-view tabletop reflector telescope popular among both beginners and seasoned astronomers thanks to its ease of use and versatile performance
Substantial 6" aperture reflector optics reveal good detail on the planets and Moon, as well as bright deep-sky objects such as nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters
Compact tabletop design gives the StarBlast 6 reflector great grab-and-go portability - weighs just 23.5 lbs.
The sturdy StarBlast 6 reflector base arrives pre-assembled in the box for hassle-free set-up
Includes 25mm and 10mm Sirius Plossl 1.25" telescope eyepieces, EZ Finder II aiming device, eyepiece rack, Starry Night software, and more!

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Item # 10016

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The Orion StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector Telescope exemplifies the perfect combination of well-rounded performance and convenient portability. Whether you're looking for a versatile introductory instrument to begin a long-term love affair with the heavens; or feel the need for a compact, wide-field, user-friendly reflector telescope, the StarBlast 6 will not disappoint.

It doesn't take a rocket-scientist to appreciate the amazing value of the StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector. Any amateur astronomer will tell you that reflector design telescopes provide the best performance for your investment, or best "bang for your buck". Since the StarBlast 6 doesn't employ the use of a complicated and heavy equatorial mount and tripod, the value looks better and better upon further inspection, much like the view through the telescope's ample 6" aperture.

Speaking of views, with a StarBlast 6 you'll soon telling friends and family about gorgeous lunar explorations of the Moon, jaw-dropping sights of (relatively) nearby Mars, giant Jupiter, and the always impressive Saturn with its stupendous rings. But the fun doesn't stop there. The StarBlast 6 Astro Telescope's substantial 5.9" (150mm) aperture parabolic reflector optics gathers oodles of light from objects well beyond our own solar system. Bright galaxies, mind-boggling globular and picturesque open star clusters, ethereal glowing nebulas, and other celestial denizens are well within reach. With a wide-field focal ratio of f/5.0, finding and tracking objects is easier than with longer focal-length telescopes, which makes stargazing nice and easy for beginners. More advanced hobbyists will welcome the intuitive simplicity of this "grab-and-go" astronomical workhorse.

Non-stick (PTFE) bearings and easily adjustable altitude tension on the base ensure smooth maneuvering of the Orion StarBlast 6. You just sight through the included EZ Finder II reflex aiming device to locate the object you want to view, and then grip the convenient navigation knob on the tube to take aim. Pop the 25mm (for 30x power magnification) or 10mm (for a boost up to 75x power magnification) Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece into the 1.25" rack-and-pinion focuser and you're ready to enjoy the wonders of the night sky. Keep the other telescope eyepiece at the ready in the convenient three-hole eyepiece rack. Two handle cutouts in the base allow easy lifting and transporting of the telescope. Set the StarBlast 6 reflector on the ground, or even on a small table or the hood of your car, then prepare to be stunned by the view!

Weighing in at a modest 23.5lbs., the assembled StarBlast 6 is portable enough to take along on the next family campout or friend-filled road-trip, without wasting valuable space for the rest of your gear. The StarBlast base arrives pre-assembled in the box providing a truly satisfying "out of box" experience.

The StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector telescope can now be upgraded to include an Orion IntelliScope "push-to" computerized object location system with the optional StarBlast 6 IntelliScope Upgrade Kit (sold separately). With the optional IntelliScope Upgrade Kit, the StarBlast 6 becomes a StarBlast 6i IntelliScope and can lead you to over 14,000 celestial objects!

The Orion StarBlast 6 Astro Telescope isn't just a masterfully engineered, uncomplicated, and affordable telescope for all ages, it's also a blast! (C'mon, we couldn't help ourselves!)

Meets or exceeds all California State Environmental Quality & Safety Regulations (CARB 93120 Phase 2 Compliant).

Media Buzz

Astronomy Magazine - January 2009
"Taking a fun-to-use scope like the StarBlast 6 for a test drive quickly evolved into a cosmic joy ride.[...] For the past five years, kids have been having fun with the original StarBlast. With the StarBlast 6, we grown-ups can have our turn."

Warranty

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-676-1343.

Warning

Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

Product Support

Visit our product support section for instruction manuals and more

Specs

Best for viewing

Brighter deep sky
Best for imaging

Lunar & planetary
User level

User level

Beginner - Suited for a wide range of uses, Level 1 telescopes are simple to operate and set up. Some initial assembly may be required. Very good optical and mechanical quality. Great for families, young people, and folks who don't want to mess with equipment but just want to take a look. Any of these scopes will show you countless lunar craters, Saturn's rings and a myriad of star clusters and nebulas! Referring to the manual is recommended.

Intermediate - These scopes offer higher performance and more advanced features than Level 1 models. They typically take a bit longer to learn and need some set-up or adjustments. But anyone with the slightest technical bent will have no problem getting familiar with these models. Referring to the manual is recommended.

Advanced - These scopes provide the best performance but may require more skill to master and appreciate. They have exceptionally fine optics and mechanics. Some are easy to use but are but on the large or heavy side. Some are intended for specialized uses. These scopes will appeal to the more technically inclined. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.

Expert - Expert telescopes offer uncompromising optical and mechanical quality for the most demanding amateur astronomer. They may be technically involved or designed for specialized use, such as astrophotography or detailed deep sky observation. They carry a premium price, but are designed to provide the ultimate performance in the field. Referring to the manual is highly recommended.

Beginner
Optical design

Optical design

Reflector telescopes use a pair of large and small mirrors to direct incoming light to the eyepiece. Refractor telescopes refract, or "bend" incoming light to a focus by means of an objective lens. Cassegrain telescopes, such as Maksutov-Cassegrains, "fold" incoming light using two mirrors and a front "corrector" lens.

Reflector
Optical diameter

Optical diameter

The optical diameter (also known as aperture), is the size of the telescope's main light collecting lens or mirror, measured in millimeters or inches. As the diameter increases, more light is collected and the resolution increases.

150mm
Focal length

Focal length

The focal ratio of an optical system is the ratio of a telescope's focal length to its aperture. Short focal ratios (f/5, f/4.5) produce wide fields of view and small image scales, while long focal lengths produce narrower fields of views and larger image scales.

750mm
Focal ratio

Focal ratio

The focal ratio of an optical system is the ratio of a telescope's focal length to its aperture. Short focal ratios (f/5, f/4.5) produce wide fields of view and small image scales, while long focal lengths produce narrower fields of views and larger image scales.

f/5.0
Optics type

Optics type

Newtonian reflectors will have either a spherical shaped mirror, which is less expensive to produce, or a higher quality parabola, which does not result in spherical aberration. Cassegrain telescopes routinely use spheres in addition to other lenses in the optical path to correct for residual spherical aberration. Refractors use a series of lenses to provide a clear image. Designs range from a standard air-spaced doublet (two lenses in a row) to exotic designs such as oil-spaced triplets and 4-element multi group lenses.

Parabolic
Glass material

Glass material

Refractors use glass lenses to focus the light, and the glass material plays an important role in the quality of the resulting image. Standard achromatic refractors routinely use Crown and Flint for the two elements, but more expensive apochromatic refractors can use ED (extra low dispersion) glass for one or more of the lenses. Reflector mirrors are made from glass with different levels of thermal expansion. Standard mirrors are made from material such as Soda-Lime Plate glass and BK-7 glass. Glass with Pyrex or other low thermal expansion material will not change shape as dramatically during the cool-down period, resulting in more stable images during this period.

Soda-lime plate
Eyepieces

Sirius Plossl 25.0mm, 10.0mm
Magnification with included eyepieces

30x, 75x
Resolving power

Resolving power

The theoretical resolving power of a telescope can be calculated with the following formula: Resolving power (in arc seconds) = 4.56 divided by aperture of telescope (in inches). In metric units, this is: Resolving power (in arc seconds) = 116 divided by aperture of telescope (in millimeters). Note that the formula is independent of the telescope type or model, and is based only upon the aperture of the telescope. So the larger the telescope's aperture, the more it is capable of resolving. This is important to keep in mind when observing astronomical objects which require high resolution for best viewing, such as planets and double stars. However, it is usually atmospheric seeing conditions (not the telescope) which limits the actual resolving power on a given night; rarely is resolution less than one arc-second possible from even the best viewing locations on Earth.

0.77arc*sec
Lowest useful magnification

Lowest useful magnification

Lowest useful magnification is the power at which the exit pupil becomes 7mm in diameter. Powers below this can still be reached with the telescope to give wider fields of view, but the image no longer becomes brighter at a lower power. This is due to the fact that the exit pupil of the telescope (the beam of light exiting the eyepiece) is now larger than the average person's dark adapted pupil, and no more light can fit into the eye.

21x
Highest useful magnification

Highest useful magnification

The highest practical limit is different from the often used "highest theoretical magnification" specification. The "theoretical" limit generally is 50x the aperture of the scope in inches (2x the aperture in mm). So for example, an 80mm refractor is capable of 160x, and a 10" telescope is theoretically capable of 500x magnification. But after approximately 300x, theory breaks down and real world problems take over. The atmosphere above us is constantly in motion, and it will distort the image seen through the telescope. This effect may not be noticeable at lower powers, but at higher powers the atmosphere will dramatically blur the object, reducing the quality of the image. On a good night (a night where the air above is steady and the stars aren't twinkling), the practical upper limit of a large telescope is 300x, even thought the theoretical limit may be much higher. This doesn't mean the scope will never be able to reach those higher "theoretical" powers - there will be that rare night where the atmosphere is perfectly still and the scope can be pushed past it's practical limit, but those nights will be few and far between.

300x
Highest theoretical magnification

300x
Limiting stellar magnitude

Limiting stellar magnitude

The limiting stellar magnitude is a measure of the faintest star you can see through the telescope.

13.6
Optical quality

Optical quality

"Diffraction Limited" means that the limits of image detail are determined by the physical properties of light, and not by optical defects in the telescope.

Diffraction limited
Finder scope

EZ Finder II
Focuser

1.25" Rack-and-pinion
Secondary mirror obstruction

47mm
Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter

31%
Secondary mirror obstruction by area

9%
Mirror coatings/over-coatings

Aluminum & Silicon Dioxide
Mount type

Dobsonian
Bearing material

PTFE bearings
Tube material

Steel
Tripod material

Wood
Length of optical tube

28.0 in.
Weight, optical tube

12.0 lbs.
Weight, mount/tripod

11.5 lbs.
Weight, fully assembled

23.5 lbs.
Additional included accessories

3 eyepiece rack
Other features

Navigation knob, pre-assembled base
Warranty

One year

In the Box

Orion Starblast 6 Astro Reflector Telescope
25mm Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece
10mm Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece
EZ Finder II reflex sight
Eyepiece rack

Shipping Info

Orders received by noon Pacific Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Orders received after noon will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.

Standard Delivery: $0.00
3 Day Delivery: $110.00
2 Day Delivery: $110.00
Next Day Delivery: $135.00

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About Orion Telescopes & Binoculars

Since 1975 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars has been offering telescopes for sale direct to customers, with an unswerving commitment to best quality products, value and unmatched customer care. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee says it all.

Orion offers telescopes for every level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert. From our entry level beginner telescopes for amateur astronomers to our Dobsonian telescopes to our most advanced Cassegrain telescopes and accessories, you can find the best telescope for you. And you'll enjoy discount prices by buying your telescope online, direct from Orion. Not sure how to choose a telescope? Orion's Telescope Buyer's Guide is a great place to start.

Orion binoculars are known for quality optics at a great price. We offer binoculars for every viewing interest, including astronomical binoculars, compact binoculars, waterproof binoculars, birding binoculars, and sport and hunting binoculars.

Orion's telescope and astrophotography accessories will enhance your telescope enjoyment without breaking the bank. Expand your viewing experience with accessories ranging from moon filters to power-boosting Barlow lenses to advanced computerized telescope mounts. Capture breathtaking photos with our affordable astrophotography cameras. And when you're stargazing, Orion's telescope cases and covers, observing gear, red LED flashlights, astronomy books and star charts will make your observing sessions more convenient, comfortable and meaningful.

At Orion, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for astronomy and astrophotography with the amateur astronomy community. Visit the Orion Community Center for in-depth information on telescopes, binoculars, and astrophotography. You can find astrophotography "how to" tips and share your best astronomy pictures here. Submit astronomy articles, events, and reviews, and even become a featured Orion customer!

Why Buy From Orion

Beginner

Media Buzz

User level

Optical design

Optical diameter

Focal length

Focal ratio

Optics type

Glass material

Resolving power

Lowest useful magnification

Highest useful magnification

Limiting stellar magnitude

Optical quality

Why Buy From Orion

Why Buy From Orion

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