centering on brightest star

[The Titan Calibos]

What's the very minimum i need when aligning up on a goto scope, eg 2x barlow or 6.4 mm eyepiece?

[ronin]

I use a 40mm eyepiece.

Simply want the damn star(s) in the view and a 40mm is as big as I can get.

I gather it is fractionally wider then a 32mm but only just, so a 32mm should be much the same.

If you have a high magnification there is every chance that what you want will not be in view, changing from a 32mm to a 6mm or 8mm takes to long.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I dont think it makes a difference. Use what you have. With my Celestron 8se, i have to centre the stars in my RDF or finderscope first, and then centre them in the scope.

As Ronin says................probably best to centre them using the widest EP you have. Makes things easier.

[baggywrinkle]

I centre in my RDF and then use an illuminated reticule (12mm), just pick whatever stars are nicely visible.

[cosmological]

I use a 10mm + a 2x barlow and unfocus the star.

[CSM]

Start off with a low power eyepiece, centre it and defocus to get a large circle - much easier to see if it central that way, then switch to a high power one, centre that likewise. Then repeat for the second star. Take your time - don't rush it.

[baggywrinkle]

Agree with the don't rush......slowly, slowly catch the monkey as we used to say in the RN