Aligning finder scope to Dob

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Hi All

I have searched the forum looking for advice on aligning a Dob to a RACI and a Telrad which will be on the same scope 8 inch Dob. Can anyone point me in the right direction ! (No pun intended)

Thanks Members

[wookie1965]

Better doing it during the day put low power eyepiece in and point scope at chimney or tree or church spire amile or so away now align your raci and telrad, put in higher power eyepiece and redo to tweak alignment.

[glowjet]

 A cross hair eye piece that you can put into your scope can be most helpful when carrying out this exercise

[Tinker1947]

A wide EP and the Moon to align the scope, then centre the Telrad, move to a bright star to complete....as mentioned in day light  a distant object if you can get the Dob low enough....

[Moonshane]

use polaris as it never moves!

my star hopping guide covers this and may help

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/197640-collimation-and-star-hopping/

[swamp thing]

As suggested carry out a rough alignment during the day on a distant object (NOT THE SUN). 

A more accurate night time alignment can then be done to zero the finder in accurately. I use Polaris for this as it doesn't move about as you fine tune the finder.

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Thanks everyone job done. Managed to align this afternoon in daylight so reasonably happy but I will do a second check again during nighttime to make sure.

[Astro Imp]

Thanks everyone job done. Managed to align this afternoon in daylight so reasonably happy but I will do a second check again during nighttime to make sure.

That's what's so great about this forum. Ask a question and very quickly you will get helpful answers.

BTW enjoy your scope.