There are some frightening online postings regarding attempts by other users to collimate the AT8RC telescope. Hmmm. This does not sound good. So, I dug out and read the manufacturer instructions. My takeaway? DO NOT mess with the primary mirror screws! Check. From my readings, those who have, managed to truly make it worse and then spent many hours, days, and other tools to get it back. This should be simple, why is everyone making it sound so hard?
The Astro-Tech collimation instructions emphasize use of a Chesire eyepiece with a light source. This kind of eyepiece has a mirror with a center hole, and the mirror is tilted precisely in a 45 degree angle such that you can visually inspect the appearance of concentric rings with an external light source. Well, my vision ain't what it used to be, so I used my Orion LaserMate Deluxe collimator which is a chesire piece with a laser as your external light source. Brilliant. Much better than my visual acuity.
Removed the extension rings and put the focuser assembly directly to the back of the scope. Turned on the laser collimator. Surprise! The secondary was not in collimation. The return beam point was off center by at least one of the LaserMate's target rings. Out comes the Allen wrench. Took a few minutes to figure out the "loosen-tighten" pattern on the secondary adjustment bolts, then fairly quickly centered beam point and tightened alignment screws. Cool.
Next step in collimation, the star test. Results will be in the next post.
Clear Skies!
22 comments:
Hello Andy - I was wondering how your star test turned out after collimating with Orion Laser Mate. rgds & tnx, Mike
Hi Mike, the subsequent post answered that. Here's the link: http://nightcamera.blogspot.com/2012/01/collimation-step-twowhat-step-two.html
"Looked just fine. Nice round concentric circles. No warping as focused in and out. Pin point focus also provided sharp diffraction spikes across the entire field of view. Very nice."
Thanks Andy - As my seeing is not too good either I like your approach. Question - Don't you need to put a spot on primary mirror to use the Orion LaserMate Deluxe II Telescope Laser Collimator? rgds & tnx for the GREAT info.
oops - I meant to say " Don't you need to put a spot on the Secondary mirror to use the Orion LaserMate Deluxe II Telescope Laser Collimator? "
The AT8RC is delivered with a collimation target (outline sticker) already on the secondary.
Thanks for input Andy. Apparantly some of these scopes did not get a Spot. I hope mine comes with one but if not Terry Hancock of
Down Under Observatory says it pretty easy to ad one with a Sharpie, as he did. rgds & tnx agn, Mike
Hello again Andy - After mucking with a Tak Collimating Scope ( 1st class but you have to hlod a light on it & look thru it's eyepiece while someone else tweak knos on front end.
More question. I couldn't find any mention of using the Orion LaserMate on anthing other than neutonian's. Ahyway I can't find amanual on line. Please tell me how it works on an ATRC. Do you stand at one end & ttweak the oher like TAK or ? rgds & tnx, Mike
Well I just lost another t messages trying to get past your screening process.
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another t messages trying to get past your screening process.
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another t messages trying to get past your screening process.
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another t messages trying to get past your screening process.
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another t messages trying to get past your screening process.
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another t messages trying to get past your screening process.
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another t messages trying to get past your screening process.
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another t messages trying to get past your screening process.
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another three messages trying to get past your screening process. Please email me at mikestephens-milkeycorp@comcast.net
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another three messages trying to get past your screening process. Please email me at mikestephens-milkeycorp@comcast.net
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another three messages trying to get past your screening process. Please email me at mikestephens-milkeycorp@comcast.net
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another three messages trying to get past your screening process. Please email me at mikestephens-milkeycorp@comcast.net
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another three messages trying to get past your screening process. Please email me at mikestephens-milkeycorp@comcast.net
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another three messages trying to get past your screening process. Please email me at mikestephens-milkeycorp@comcast.net
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
Well I just lost another three messages trying to get past your screening process. Please email me at mikestephens-milkeycorp@comcast.net
Anyway I would appreciate more info on how the Orion LaserMate actually works. I could not find instrustions at Orion other than this was designed for Neutonian csops & makes no mention of being able to use on SCT / RC.
Do you get to stand at the front end of the scope as you tweak Secondary knobs?? rgds & tnx, Mike
ps - My secondary is marked
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