Astrophotography with Glenn Clouder - Easy Basic Collimation

#Astrobloke #Glenn Clouder #astrophotography #astronomy
Astrophotography with Glenn Clouder - Easy Basic Collimation
A short video showing my process of checking a laser for accuracy and then using it to collimate my Newtonian telescope. A 130 PDS by Sky watcher.
#ASTROBLOKE #Astrophotography #Astronomy
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Tips on easy telescope Collimation - Collimating a Newtonian scope with a Laser. Sky Watcher 130pds
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[@Rainy78]

Seems straight forward. Thanks for sharing!

[@Astrobloke]

It is really. I think some like to complicate it, but really its quite simple. Good luck and clear skies

[@Rainy78]

@@Astrobloke I think Im going to purchase the Bobs knobs for the secondary mirror. Also, paint the focuser, primary mirror sides and secondary black like you did. Im also thinking of getting the cnc spider put on and the mask for the primary mirror. Do you think its really worth it? Thanks!

[@dereksmythe9042]

Nice video Astrobloke. You explain things very well

[@Astrobloke]

I try to. Appreciate the kind comment thank you

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

Thanks for that video. I think you are catering more for beginners? - and you do say " easy telescope Collimation". For medium level collimation: At the start when using the spider to put a spot on the center of the mirror - it would have been good to rotate the laser in the focuser and see if the spot was still in the center. then on the primary mirror - after adjustment - rotate the telescope 360 degrees while it's still horizontal on the bench - and see if the spot in the laser window is still centered. That checks lateral movement of the primary in different positions - then move the telescope to vertical and check again. It should be OK with such a light mirror but for a 10" or 12" mirror the weight of the mirror moving sideways can cause a problem. Then for expert collimation - check that the offset of the secondary mirror was correctly setup in the factory. Many websites can calculate that for you. Also I noticed that focuser sticks way too far into the tube. Is that your normal focus position? It would be cutting off light hitting the primary! If it is then the tube needs to be cut shorter so the primary can move up a bit in the tube to have the focuser in a better position.

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Bobby thanks for commenting and watching. Yes this is totally for beginners and at the simplest level deliberately. For this small scope thats fine but my CT10 I use a Howie Glatter laser and barlowed Tublug

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

@@Astrobloke - thanks for replying - yes so many collimating tools. I've been looking at the Catseye tool. It's hard to know which is the best - some people buy them all - LOL

[@Astrobloke]

@@Bobby-fj8mk There are many and to be fair they will all get you roughly collimated but I always finish my collimation using a defocussed star. After all its the stars I am imaging as well as DSO so a final collimation with a star is best as your camera may be slightly different to the collimator, especially on a newt.

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

@@Astrobloke - Yes - I have heard of that - looking at de-focused Airy disc rings.

[@obsidian666]

Thank you for this brief explanation! I bought a new Telescope and I had to loosen all three of the bolts on the secondary mirror and move it by hand, it was way off. Just losen and tighten the three bolts didn't help at all.

[@Astrobloke]

You are welcome and thank you for taking the time to comment. I have had a similar experience but once its set all should be good and collimation nice and easy. Hope you get on well with your scope, which did you get ? Clearskies

[@obsidian666]

@Astrobloke Yes, of course, your Video helped a lot, thanks again. I'm a complete newbie to this hobby! I bought a Skywatcher N 200/1000 PDS. Haven't been able to take a look through it, it's been cloudy ever since. So good time to set it up perfectly.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Another great tutorial Glenn, keep them coming!

[@Astrobloke]

Thanks Joe

[@antoniohuerta9144]

The topic of adjustement of the offset of the seconbdary mirror is not covered, unfortunately, in the otherwise demonstrative presentation.

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you, it is called easy collimation so its just the basic steps and not going too deep. The idea was to help beginners with basic collimation.

[@koomber777]

Perfect

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you

[@richardhendrick5835]

Richard - Belgium. Love your videos Astrobloke..top...I noticed that you have a black cover behind your primary mirror. Did you install it ? I have a 250/1200 Sky Watcher on a AZEQ6, and I have noticed that some light can come through that way. I manage to cover it a bit, but I find your setup rather better...:-)...must try to do the same on mine.

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Richard and thank you for your comment. My scope came with that fitted. I have seen a simple solution using a black shower cap and stops all light leaks at the primary mirror end. They then used it at the front to take their darks.

[@sonnyskold5634]

im completely new to telescopes. bought one for my son but have no idea how to do this. How did u get that circle thing on ur mirror?

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Sonny. My mirror came with the spot already installed. This video kzbin.info/www/bejne/apjTfqiHp8ysgNEsi=1hQrNFixrVbM1acL by Jason of Small optics shows how you can put one on. You do need one to help with collimating the scope. Hope this helps

[@redstarr1]

Thanks Glenn. Something I've always wondered was when collimating the primary, I was always expecting the laser to completely disappear in the centre, but never could. My collimation looks similar to yours in that the point goes in the centre but there is light around the centre. Is that just reflections and that I should expect some of this?

[@Astrobloke]

Hi there. With the less expensive laser there will always be a bleed of light to the donut ring. If you buy something expensive like a Howie Glatter laser they have an extremely fine point and so do not suffer this. I have not found any issues and my collimation has been very good with the cheaper lasers and I can live with the slightly larger dot they display.

[@jeancarlobarba6420]

Hello ,where i can get that secundary collimation screws? Thanks

[@Astrobloke]

Hi, if you look at the description section you will see a link to the one’s used and where I bought mine

[@jeancarlobarba6420]

@@Astrobloke Thanks I saw in cellphone and comentary dont show , now i PC can see !!!!!, 30 mm or 35 mm will fit? :D

[@claytonhelfert7046]

Which laser collimator is used in this video?

[@Astrobloke]

Unfortunately I acquired this with a scope purchase a few years back and its as far as I can tell is unbranded. I don’t think its a particularly expensive one but it seems well collimated and helps keep my Newtonian true.