Cleaning and Collimating

[kirkster501]

I stumbled upon this which is quite a good read.  It's a pdf document:

http://www.backyardastronomy.com/Backyard_Astronomy/Downloads_files/Appendix%20B-Collimation.pdf

Stev

[Dave In Vermont]

That is a good find. Thank you for posting it. I'll toss it in my collection.

Clear & Sharp Skies,

Dave

[CarolandDom]

Very handy - we are contemplating collimating our 12in dob for the first time...something which will be a bit of a test for us!

[Jase_v2]

Thanks for this post - Id always thought cleaning the optics was a definite no-no . Main mirror is a wee bit dusty despite best efforts but maybe one day ......

Cheers

[Daniel-K]

Very handy - we are contemplating collimating our 12in dob for the first time...something which will be a bit of a test for us!

  get it done!

[bomberbaz]

^^^ hahahaha, yes get it done thats terrible, just remember you can't break it, trust me that can only improve 

[Charic]

As above, another .pdf for the collection?

You wouldn't own a guitar without tuning it up every time you wanted to play it, so dont be afraid of collimating  and or cleaning your telescopes. especially  open  ended Newtonians, CATs and FRACs are just a little easier to keep clean. But with the Newtonians, Just strip them down, after marking with tape or marker pens to re-align, and just  play about and practice a bit. You'll soon get to learn how it all works, and once masterfull of your equipment, collimating takes just a few minutes to calibrate. Only seconds to just check! A lot of dust on the mirror, I mean A LOT OF DUST wont do a great deal of harm to your visual observations, but its best to have an optical system thats  dust free!

So many folk are fearful of the task. Just read, re-read and understand which ever guide you favour, and just work in slow time, and just take caution. 

[Dave In Vermont]

First off - RELAX! You can't harm the scope by learning to collimate it. Just don't drop anything down inside that could strike the mirror(s). Best done with the OTA horizontal, or tilted slightly downward.

Secondly - Stop telling yourself this is something difficult to learn to do. It's not. In fact, after the initial learning-curve, you will likely find collimating your scope is FUN!

Thirdly - Make a copy of the .pdf Stev posted a link to. Lay out a copy of Page 4 and look at the diagram showing what you are looking at. The 4th picture is your target to get to. So go ahead and give it a go - when you have some free time. If you get stuck, or frustrated, take a break and go do something else for awhile. It will wait for you.

Fourth - Read this again. And come back here to ask any questions you have. Or to announce your victory!

Trust me - You'll do fine.

Dave

[CarolandDom]

Thanks for the encouragement all - we are going to do it this week

[CarolandDom]

Ok thanks to Rik we are all straight and set. What a difference! We are now able to focus properly and get some quality viewing time.

[CarolandDom]

Managed a good bit of observing on Pleiades...amazing pin sharp view and the colours...wow