Check Out the Orion StarBlast Telescope at the Larchmont Public Library – LITERALLY!

LARCHMONT, NY - You can now check out something a little unusual from the Larchmont Public Library: a TELESCOPE. Anyone who is at least 18 years old and has a valid Larchmont Public Library card and a New York State driver’s license will be able to check out our brand new Orion StarBlast telescope for one week for free.

The idea of going to your local library to borrow a telescope may seem a little strange. But Rebecca Teglas, Head of Children’s Services, thinks the telescope and the library are a good fit. “We are all about learning,” Teglas said. “We have a significant emphasis on science and technology in our programming so by having the telescope we’re helping to encourage learning: learning about space, learning about engineering and other things that all tie into this area of science.”

The Larchmont Public Library’s Orion StarBlast modified telescope was made possible by the Friends of the Larchmont Public Library and is very durable and user-friendly. At first, the relatively large tabletop scope may seem a bit intimidating. But at just 13 pounds, it is lightweight and easy to use.

What if you’ve never operated a telescope before, and aren’t sure what to look at?

“The best thing is to start with the moon,” Teglas said. “The moon is easy and it’s bright. The first time you look at the moon through our telescope, it’s like you’re coming in for a landing. It’s looks that close!”

The telescope has a viewfinder to help you orient the scope in the right direction. You look through that first, and line up the little red dot inside with the moon, or whatever you want to look at. Then you can look through the telescope’s eyepiece and adjust its power and focus. The telescope also has a quick-start guide, user manual and constellation booklet, moon map, lens cleaner ― and even a headlamp with a red light. You’ll need that to read in the dark. If you use a regular flashlight, it will blow out your night vision, and you won’t be able to see the stars and planets. The Orion StarBlast telescope is powerful enough to allow you to see the moon’s mountains and craters, along with Saturn’s rings and four of Jupiter’s moons. The telescope is meant to be used at night. And whatever you do, don’t point it at the sun: that will burn your retina and cause permanent damage to your eyes!

Online registration is required in order to check out the telescope. The telescope is proving to be very popular so you’ll wan to register soon. Online registration can be done at www.larchmontlibrary.org/teles...

For more information about the Larchmont Public Library, visit larchmontlibrary.org.

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