December 25, 2009, Newsletter Issue #58: Aligning the Optics In Your Telescope with Collimation

Tip of the Week

Collimation is the process of aligning the optics in your telescope in order to create an optimal image in the focal plane. It is common for optics to get thrown out of alignment when a telescope suffers from rough handling or movement during transport. Follow these pointers for aligning the optics in your telescope:

• The adjustment screws on your primary and secondary telescope mirrors may need tweaking. To help identify which screw is which, try placing colored stickers by each screw.

• Don't make more than a quarter turn of each screw at one time. Only adjust two screws at a time and not all three. The key to optimal collimation is using incremental movements.

• Try writing your adjustments down on paper to help you remember what you've done.

• If you find collimation difficult, you can purchase a product on the market such as a laser guide or collimation eyepiece.


Note: If you own a refractor telescope, the manufacturer needs to make adjustments if the optics in your telescope are out of alignment. If you own a Maksutov-Cassegrain, due to the integrity of the telescope design, you should not require any collimation.

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