Advanced CT Laser Collimator Manual (V9.0 =OH=) Page 8 of 20
5.2. Aim Collimator Square to the Telescope
After the telescope is initially center aimed at the collimator in
Step 5.1
, in this
Step, 5.2
, the collimator is adjusted to center the
laser crosshair lines in the center of the printed target cross on the collimator target plate. This will adjust the collimator to be
perpendicular (squared) to the telescope primary mirror optical axis. When the reflected laser crosshair lines are centered on
the printed target cross, this completes the first full iteration cycle necessary to achieve Basic Co-alignment. Usually at least
three iterations, at a minimum, of
Steps 5.1 & 5.2
are necessary to achieve accurate Basic Co-alignment.
a. Remove the diffuser strip to see the projected laser crosshair.
b. Use the fine-adjustor knobs to line up the laser crosshair with the printed cross on the target plate.
c. Again, line up one axis at a time. Start with collimator vertical Up/Dn adjustment, then horizontal L/R adjustment.
d. Place the diffuser strip back on the center laser to see if the donut light beam is still centered (or without diffuser, the laser
crosshair tips only are still centered). If not, repeat
Step 5.1
.
5.3. Basic Co-Alignment Confirmation
Continue to iterate the procedures in
Step 5.1 & 5.2
adjusting the telescope until the donut or laser line tips are centered and
concentric with one of the printed target circles, adjusting the collimator until the laser crosshair is centered in the printed target
cross. When you achieve this, it means the telescope & collimator are Co-Aligned. For all intents and purposes, it's as if the
telescope were pointed at a distant star. You are now ready to diagnose your optics.
6.0. How to Read the Diagnostic Result on the Collimator
With the telescope and collimator Basic Co-Alignment completed (
Step 5.0
), you can determine collimation errors present in
the telescope’s optical system by observing the deviation of the three collimating lasers’ three reflected dots relative to one of
the concentric rings on the collimator target plate.
6.1. Locate the three laser dots
a. Switch to mode 2 or mode 3 (with panel backlight) to turn on the three collimating lasers and the crosshair laser.
b. Verify Basic Co-Alignment (
Step 5.0
). Check that the crosshair outer tips are concentric on the same target plate ring (
Step
5.1
), and that the crosshair lines are centered on the printed target plate cross (
Step 5.2
).
c. Observe the three collimating laser dots on the target plate – ideally they will be close to the same target plate ring.
d. If the three laser dots are visible on the target plate, go to
Step 7.0
to collimate the telescope.
e. If the three laser dots are not visible or are only partially visible on the target plate, continue to
Steps 6.2 and/or 6.3
.
6.2. The Reflector Mirror is not properly installed
a. The reflector mirror reflects the lasers for visual back or focuser axial alignment. You must install the reflector mirror
correctly (square in the visual back or focuser drawtube). The axial position of the visual back or focuser drawtube affects
the alignment of the entire telescope optical system. Refer to
Step 3.0
for correct reflector mirror installation.
b. When you have verified that the reflector mirror is correctly installed, but the three collimating laser dots are still completely
or partially invisible, continue to the next step. Otherwise go to
Step 7.0
.
(Continued Next Page)
6.3. The Reflector Mirror focus position is out of the telescope’s normal visual range of focus
FIG. 2B
Aim Collimator at Telescope,
Diffuser strip removed