2nd opinion on collimation please.

[studio1one]

I have always assumed that I can collimate my f5 newtonian scope well but have never asked anyone else to have a look at it and give me their opinion. It occured to me that maybe I am making a pigs ear of it and have no idea.

With this in mind I have attached 2 pics, the first is a view down the cheshire and the 2nd the view down my home made colicap

any thoughts?

[Merlin66]

Looks OK to me!

You obviously can check with a 3mag star test - just check the image concentricity just inside and outside focus.

[studio1one]

Thanks Merlin, unfortunately that involves being able to actually see some stars, which hasn't happened much in the last month

[Merlin66]

I know the feeling only too well!

I've been trying to test a new spectroscope for the last few weeks and finding it difficult with the constant cloud....having said that, last night wasn't too bad, and the current high pressure is promising tonight should be usable....

Onwards and Upwards

[tomo]

The collimation looks to be ever so slightly out, in that everything is not quite concentric in the picture. Not really an issue, though.

I found investing in a laser collimator worthwhile if you are worried about the last few tweeks. They don't seem to be that expensive.

[studio1one]

Hi,

you are right Tomo but as far as I am aware in a fast scope it shouldn't be total concentric.

[Merlin66]

tomo,

Caution!

he's using a pretty fast newtonian, the off-set of the secondary is required to get the "correct" position in the focus cone.

[tomo]

Hmm, back to collimation classes