Very well done--hopefully new users will find this! I saw it on CloudyNights. I was going to ask where in Atlantic Canada you were from, then I looked back at your post on CN and saw Ireland...only off by a hop across the pond!
Use Polaris for star testing because it will not move and it is a good magnitude. The laser gets you close on primary but I would use either barlowed laser, cheshire or collimation cap to finish tweaking the primary. That will get you accurate enough that you shouldn't need to star test. My skies are seldom good enough for star testing, which is not that easy even in good skies.
100%! We always have club members asking how to collimate so it's good to show them the basics. Certainly the Cheshire is always a good combo (or even a home made collimation cap) completes the process.
Yes. The bolts with the springs are what adjusts the tilt of the primary mirror. Some scopes also have a set of 'locking' bolts that you loosen when collimating and then gently tighten up to keep the mirror in place. HOWEVER! Don't use these to adjust collimation or over tighten when locking. They will cause the mirror to flex and you'll get non circular stars. I replaced my collimation bolts and springs in both the primary and secondary with a set from the famous 'Bobs Knobs'.
Hi Wayne. It's 51mm tall and made by Telrad themselves. I bought it from Astroshop.eu. Clear skies! www.astroshop.eu/mounting-brackets-and-accessories/telrad-riser-base-2-/p,18994#tab_bar_1_select
![Collimation of Newton Telescope using [SVBONY] Laser & Cheshire](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wgIhvsxyB1Y/mqdefault.jpg)
Nice that you can easily see the target from the inside when adjusting the rear on that jumbo dob. Great job!
Thanks. Yes the Kendrick collimator really helps in that regard.
Very well done--hopefully new users will find this! I saw it on CloudyNights. I was going to ask where in Atlantic Canada you were from, then I looked back at your post on CN and saw Ireland...only off by a hop across the pond!
🙂And we have nearly the same weather to boot!
Use Polaris for star testing because it will not move and it is a good magnitude. The laser gets you close on primary but I would use either barlowed laser, cheshire or collimation cap to finish tweaking the primary. That will get you accurate enough that you shouldn't need to star test. My skies are seldom good enough for star testing, which is not that easy even in good skies.
100%! We always have club members asking how to collimate so it's good to show them the basics. Certainly the Cheshire is always a good combo (or even a home made collimation cap) completes the process.
Very interesting points to consider. I'll keep the transmission and focus/etching on the glass of both in mind next time I'm aligning.
Are the collimation bolts with the spring always used for adjusting collimation on primary mirrors?
Yes. The bolts with the springs are what adjusts the tilt of the primary mirror. Some scopes also have a set of 'locking' bolts that you loosen when collimating and then gently tighten up to keep the mirror in place. HOWEVER! Don't use these to adjust collimation or over tighten when locking. They will cause the mirror to flex and you'll get non circular stars. I replaced my collimation bolts and springs in both the primary and secondary with a set from the famous 'Bobs Knobs'.
Thanks
No problem
Nice Thanks
Thank you too!
I see you have a telrad that you have elevated, what is the name of the elevation mount please as I need one for mine, and how tall is it please?
Hi Wayne. It's 51mm tall and made by Telrad themselves. I bought it from Astroshop.eu. Clear skies!
www.astroshop.eu/mounting-brackets-and-accessories/telrad-riser-base-2-/p,18994#tab_bar_1_select
@@StargazerMan thanks