Questions tagged [collimation]
The collimation tag has no usage guidance.
18
questions
3
votes
0
answers
64
views
Why can’t I get a red dot instead of spread out light when collimating the primary mirror
Using a laser collimator, I have centered the dot for the secondary mirror, but all I see is spread out light when I go to adjust the primary mirror. Shouldn’t I be able to see a dot, and move that ...
- 31
3
votes
2
answers
132
views
Is a mirror cell only necessary for collimation?
I'm building a truss Newtonian, and I'm planning on achieving collimation using turnbuckle-style trusses, as demonstrated in this thread. If I'm collimating this way, is there any reason to support ...
- 185
5
votes
0
answers
68
views
What to do in case of concentric circles that are not aligned with the cross after collimation (Picture inside)?
I have been collimating my newly bought first Newtonian telescope for a few days now, but I can't get the center of the circles to align with the intersection point of the spider's reflection. I have ...
- 61
1
vote
1
answer
590
views
Celestron C14 collimation and cleaning
When checking the collimation of a Celestron 14" SCT I took this image:
My question is: how much will the particles causing the local aberrations affect the image quality? (i.e. do I need to ...
- 950
3
votes
0
answers
171
views
Precise meaning of collimation/alignment of a binocular
My question is about what exactly is meant by a binocular being collimated/aligned. I'm familiar with optics in general, but not with the nitty gritty of binocular design.
There are various resources ...
- 223
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What are the aberrations of an SCT? And how can they be eliminated?
The Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is amazing! It is compact, suitable for astrophotography ,and it requires little to no collimation. However, the SCT has some inherent optical issues. What are they? ...
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
collimating AstroMaster 114
I've owned my AstroMaster 114EQ for about a year now, and feel like I know my way around pretty well, but I'm only just becoming aware that collimation is recommended. The user manual has instructions ...
- 385
4
votes
1
answer
589
views
Can a Ritchey–Chrétien telescope be collimated using a standard Newtonian laser collimator?
Is it possible to use a standard Newtonian laser collimator, such as this one to collimate an RCT?
If so, is the procedure any different than collimating a Newtonian (i.e. make the laser go into the ...
- 145
3
votes
1
answer
257
views
Newtonian reflector collimation question
After an initial collimation, I took my scope (150mm/750mm) out for a star test. While I could see concentric circles when the bright star is at the centre of the video, when the star is on the side ...
- 133
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Collimating with a home-made collimation cap
I've made a home-made collimation cap and am trying to use the procedure linked to in another answer.
However, I've run into two issues right off the bat. In this picture from the linked page, it ...
- 329
1
vote
2
answers
970
views
Laser Collimator producing oval not circle on the Primary
I own an orion laser collimator which I had not used in a very long time. I decided to collimate an old Celestron NextStar 114 and I realized that the laser did not produce a circle but an oval.
...
- 143
2
votes
1
answer
915
views
Laser Colimator vs Cheshire eyepiece [closed]
Both the laser collimator and cheshire eyepiece are tools used in astronomical telescope collimation. What are the main advantages/disadvantages of each? Which one might be best suited to start with ...
- 143
0
votes
1
answer
233
views
Laser Collimator For Dobsonian vs Newtonian
Will a laser collimator like the Gosky 1.25 Metal Laser Collimator, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M4IVUYG/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AHQ6VCR020F8X, work for a dobsonian ...
- 137
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Telescope collimation issue
Recently, I purchased a Chinese 8 inch reflector telescope from local store. When I observing stars and planets I've been having trouble getting really sharp image from this telescope. I observe Venus ...
7
votes
2
answers
27k
views
I'm having trouble achieving sharp telescope focus
I've been having trouble getting really sharp focus on my telescope. Using Saturn as a reference, with a 20mm eye piece it is very sharp. But when I go to 10mm or 6mm, it gets bigger and blurrier. I ...
- 211
3
votes
1
answer
99
views
Collimator for Dobsonian, same as Newtonian?
I have been looking on line for Collimator for my Meade Dobsonian. The only Collimators I can find are made for Newtonian Lenses. It's a 8" mirror with a 1.25" lens. Will this work for my telescope?
- 31
9
votes
1
answer
8k
views
How can I accurately find & apply the white donut to the center of my mirror?
I have a Plettstone 18" Dobsonian telescope and use a Howie Glatter tuBlug, laser collimator, and Square Grid Projection Attachment to adjust the mirrors. Proper collimation requires an accurate ...
- 287
22
votes
1
answer
15k
views
How can I collimate a dobsonian telescope with a laser collimator?
I've had a dobsonian telescope for a while now, but I've never been able to collimate it. I thought I had it collimated once, but when I looked through it the star didn't look right, it looked kind ...
- 325