Collimation

[Lance Bridwell]

When collecting with an artificial star, what size eyepiece would be recomended?

[Guest Tuomo]

When using real stars I use highest mag. Just to get star big enough to see secondary and the vanes. I assume you are using Newtonian.

[Alan64]

Are you collimating a Schmidt or a Newtonian?  If a Newtonian, what's its aperture and focal-ratio?

[Lance Bridwell]

Hi  Alan, I'm collecting anot 8-SE Smidt

8 hours ago, Alan64 said:

Are you collimating a Schmidt or a Newtonian?  If a Newtonian, what's its aperture and focal-ratio?

Hi Alan, I'm collecting and 8-SE Schmidt

[Alan64]

Then, at f/10, a 10mm or 9mm ocular.  Do you already have one?  Also, such is generally regarded as the highest power practical on most nights of observing, and just before the images begin to break down or soften.

2032 ÷ 10mm = 203x

2032 ÷ 9mm = 226x

An 8" aperture is certainly capable of that on most nights, and for a wide variety of objects.  I've read in the past that even an ocular as short as an 8mm(254x) can used on most nights with an 8" Schmidt.  The Moon, being so close to the Earth, can take even higher powers, perhaps over 300x on most nights.