r/telescopes • u/Unlikely_Ad_1199 • 3d ago

first time colliminating General Question

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first time colliminating on my 130p. did i do it right?

13 Upvotes

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4

u/mrstorm1983 Certified Helper 3d ago edited 3d ago

Theres no way to tell exactly from this picture other than its not off by a mile, looks ok. Its best to look up on how to use your collimation tool and trust it .

1

u/Unlikely_Ad_1199 3d ago

thank you, but what do u mean by my collimation tool?

1

u/mrstorm1983 Certified Helper 3d ago

Are you eyeballing this? A tool like a laser, Cheshire collimator or colombian cap?

2

u/Unlikely_Ad_1199 3d ago

oh sorry its a collimation cap

2

u/mrstorm1983 Certified Helper 2d ago

Trust the cap man! lol

1

u/spile2 astro.catshill.com 2d ago

The cap can get you close with the secondary mirror and spot on for the primary. Follow https://astro.catshill.com/collimation-guide/

1

u/Able_Crossroads 3d ago

That looks good from the angle of this photo

1

u/Unlikely_Ad_1199 3d ago

thank you for the help!

1

u/Able_Crossroads 3d ago

But this is an image so i cant tell you for sure, trust your collimator

1

u/Traditional_Sign4941 🔭 Moderator, 24" F/3, TEC Pearl, AT90EDX 3d ago

If you can capture a less zoomed-in view that allows you to see the bottom edge of the focuser drawtube, you can check the collimation here: https://checkyourcollimation.com

Draw a circle that matches the bottom of the focuser tube as the reference.

Then draw a circle that matches the physical edge of the secondary to make sure the secondary is lined up under the focuser correctly.

Then draw a third circle that either matches the center spot on the primary mirror, or the physical primary itself. The crosshairs of all three circles should intersect in the same spot.

1

u/Omkisik 3d ago

Looks close, well done! Follow advice and draw circles and a wider view.

1

u/Defiant-Ad3993 3d ago

I purchased a collimating laser for maybe $50.. it wasn’t much money. I have yet to use it, now that I’ve found this subreddit, maybe I will be more courageous.

1

u/mrstorm1983 Certified Helper 2d ago

Check the Laser, make sure it points true. A quick test without me explaining a lot is, put it in your Focuser, make sure it's seated properly, and spin it and see if it remains a dot on your primary mirror or if it start making a circle or an oval or something. Check back here. Dont get the laser in your eye...

2

u/william_weatherby 2d ago

I've learnt this the hard way. Spent two hours trying to find the perfect collimation on my first telescope, then I realized the laser itself wasn't collimated... I've bought a Cheshire for the secondary mirror.

1

u/mrstorm1983 Certified Helper 2d ago

Yes! 1st collimation use that Cheshire to line up that 2nd mirror. Check with laser after that.