2
Fig.f
Secondary
mirror
Primary mirror
stop and keep your
hand here
Now run your hand around the front of your telescope keeping
your eye to the focuser, you will see the reflected image of
your hand. The idea here being to see which way the primary
mirror is defected, you do this by stopping at the point where
the reflected image of the secondary mirror is closest to the
primary mirrors' edge (Fig.f).
When you get to that point, stop and keep your hand there
while looking at the back end of your telescope, is there a
adjusting screw there? If there is you will want to loosen it
(turn the screw to the left) to bring the mirror away from that
point. If there isn't a adjusting screw there, then go across
to the other side and tighten the adjusting screw on the other
side. This will gradually bring the mirror into line until it looks
like Fig.g. (It helps to have a friend to help for primary mirror
collimation. Have your partner adjust the adjusting screws
according to your directions while you look in the focuser.)
After dark go out and point your telescope at
Polaris, the North Star. With an eyepiece in the
focuser, take the image out of focus. You will see
the same image only now, it will be illuminated
by starlight. If necessary, repeat the collimating
process only keep the star centered while
teaking the mirror.
Sky-Watcher Telescope
www.SkywatcherTelescope.com
Fig.g
Both mirrors aligned
with collimating cap in
Both mirrors aligned with
eye looking in focuser
Aligning the Primary Mirror
Find the three locking screws at the back of your telescope and loosen them by a few turns. Retighten the locking
screws when after the collimation.
hex bolt (Locking screw)
Adjusting screw
If you see 3 hex bolts and 3 Phillip's
head screws, the hex bolts are the
locking screws and the Phillip's-head
screws are the adjusting screws. You
will need an Allen wrench to adjust
the locking screws.
If you see 3 large nuts protruding
from the back of your telescope
and 3 small Phillip's-head screws
besides them, the Phillip's-head
screws are the locking screws and
the large nuts are the adjusting screws.
Adjusting screw
Locking screw
If you see 6 Phillip's-head screws
but 3 protruding from the back of
your telescope, the 3 protruding
screws are locking screws and the
ones next to them are adjusting
screws.
Adjusting screw
Locking screw