Any deviation from the
concentric reflections will require
adjustments to the secondary
mirror assembly (Fig. 9) and/or
the primary mirror cell (Fig. 10).
B. SECONDARY MIRROR HOLDER
ADJUSTMENTS
If the secondary mirror (Fig. 12, 1) is
centered in the draw tube (Fig. 12, 2),
but the primary mirror is only partially
visible in the reflection (Fig. 12, 3), one or
more of the 3 secondary mirror collimation
screws need adjusting. First, unthread each
of the secondary mirror collimation screws
slightly to the point of where you can tilt
the secondary holder from side-to-side. By
grasping the secondary holder with your hand,
tilt the secondary mirror holder until you see
the primary mirror become as centered in the
reflection of the diagonal mirror as possible.
Once you are at the best position, thread in
the 3 secondary mirror collimation screws to
lock the holder in place. Then, if necessary,
make adjustments to these 3 screws to refine
the tilt-angle of the secondary mirror until the
entire primary mirror can be seen centered
The Newtonian Reflecting Telescope
Fig. 8
19
COLLIMATION (ALIGNMENT) OF THE
OPTICS
All Meade LightBridge Mini Reflecting
telescopes are optically aligned at the factory
prior to shipment. It is unlikely that you will
need to align, or collimate, the optics after
receipt of the instrument. However, if the
telescope received unusually rough handling
in shipment, it is possible that the optics must
be re aligned for best optical performance.
In any case this alignment procedure is
simple, and requires only a few minutes
time. Take the time to familiarize yourself
with the following collimation procedure, so
that you will recognize a properly collimated
instrument and can adjust the collimation if
necessary.
A. CORRECT COLLIMATION
The properly collimated (aligned) mirror
system in the Meade LightBridge Mini
telescope assures the sharpest images
possible. This occurs when the primary
mirror and secondary mirror are tilted so that
the focused image falls directly through the
center of the focuser draw tube. These mirror
tilt adjustments are made with the secondary
mirror assembly and the primary mirror cell
(Fig. 10) and will be discussed later.
To inspect the view of the mirror collimation,
look down the focuser draw tube with
the eyepiece removed. The edge of the
focuser drawtube (Fig. 11, 1), will frame the
reflections of the primary mirror with the 3
mirror clips (Fig. 11, 2), the secondary mirror
(Fig. 11, 3), the spider vanes (Fig. 11, 4), and
your eye (Fig. 11, 5). Properly aligned, all of
these reflections will appear concentric (i.e.,
centered) as illustrated in Fig. 11.
Secondary Mirror Primary Mirror
Primary Mirror
Adjustments
Secondary Mir-
ror Adjustments
Focal Point
(c) nimax GmbH
