#1
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Collimation.
I couldn't belive how 'out' my new scope was. After reading loads on
t'internet about collimation I decided to have a quick check of my scope using the 'peephole' method. Turns out the primary mirror was pointing in the wrong direction, and the secondary mirror was barely under the focuser. Spent the afternoon twidling and now I've got a much better image. Anyone out there with a new scope, if you've got the gumption I'd recommend trying to collimate it, seem to be wellworth the effort. Stuart |
#2
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HobGobSnakyWaky wrote:
Anyone out there with a new scope, if you've got the gumption I'd recommend trying to collimate it, seem to be wellworth the effort. No doubt about it. Poor collimation is by far the most common reason for poor images in amateur telescopes. (My C5 used to hold collimation very well, but I'd still check it nearly every time I used it -- rarely needed it, but...) Best, Stephen Remove footfrommouth to reply -- + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Stephen Tonkin | ATM Resources; Astro-Tutorials; Astro Books + + (N51.162 E0.995) | http://astunit.com + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + |
#3
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"HobGobSnakyWaky" wrote in message ... I couldn't belive how 'out' my new scope was. After reading loads on t'internet about collimation I decided to have a quick check of my scope using the 'peephole' method. Turns out the primary mirror was pointing in the wrong direction, and the secondary mirror was barely under the focuser. Spent the afternoon twidling and now I've got a much better image. Anyone out there with a new scope, if you've got the gumption I'd recommend trying to collimate it, seem to be wellworth the effort. Stuart Funny you should mention it. I got an Hardin Optical Dob about 6 mths ago - 8". Very nice for Mars, and now Jupiter and Saturn. A friend came over a few nights ago and helped me collimate it. Wow! What a difference, My secondary was not centered, and was pointing a bit low. Jupiter has detail I never dreamt was possible. Yes, collimate. I am a believer! Harvey |
#4
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Hi Stuart,
Good job! A lot of people are afraid to adjust anything, thinking they will just make it worse. But after being shipped, it is guaranteed a new newt or SCT is out of collimation and desperately needs it. So what have you been looking at? Clear Skies Chuck Taylor Do you observe the moon? Try the Lunar Observing Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/ Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/ ************************************ "HobGobSnakyWaky" wrote in message ... I couldn't belive how 'out' my new scope was. After reading loads on t'internet about collimation I decided to have a quick check of my scope using the 'peephole' method. Turns out the primary mirror was pointing in the wrong direction, and the secondary mirror was barely under the focuser. Spent the afternoon twidling and now I've got a much better image. Anyone out there with a new scope, if you've got the gumption I'd recommend trying to collimate it, seem to be wellworth the effort. Stuart |
#5
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Stephen Tonkin wrote in
: No doubt about it. Poor collimation is by far the most common reason for poor images in amateur telescopes. (My C5 used to hold collimation very well, but I'd still check it nearly every time I used it -- rarely needed it, but...) What is a "quick check", Stephen. I am still quite some way from getting my C5 right, mainly because the only nights I have been able to see anything it's been ** freezing, and I haven't been able to keep the use of my fingers long enough. But it's improved enough, after false starts, that I am optimistic of one day getting it right, and then I won't let it get so far out again. But what sort of magnitude star, and what sort of eyepiece, would give a good enough check without spending most of my time on setting up; many thanks for your suggestions mike r |
#6
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mike ring wrote:
What is a "quick check", Stephen. Star test. But what sort of magnitude star, 1st or 2nd. (Polaris is fine if you don't want to bother with aligning a mount) and what sort of eyepiece, 8mm Best, Stephen Remove footfrommouth to reply -- + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Stephen Tonkin | ATM Resources; Astro-Tutorials; Astro Books + + (N51.162 E0.995) | http://astunit.com + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + |
#7
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Stephen Tonkin wrote in
: What is a "quick check", Stephen. Star test. But what sort of magnitude star, 1st or 2nd. (Polaris is fine if you don't want to bother with aligning a mount) and what sort of eyepiece, 8mm Thanks very much, Stephen - I'm trying to work up to Polaris, but it's quite hard to see from here, so I'm still working on REgulus and co at around 12.5. Already an improvement, though. I'll have it right by the time it's light all night mike r |
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