I'm having a problem understanding the collimation process. I have installed the collimator in the focuser and noticed that if you rotate the collimator in the focuser the laser dot moves to a different area of the primary mirror. Is this the result of a cheap collimator? Any information on the complete process would be helpful..... Thanks, Jeff
Problems With Laser Collimator
Started by Jbyrnes, 04/17/2002 01:29AM
Posted 04/17/2002 01:29AM
Opening Post
Posted 04/18/2002 02:22PM
#1
Jeff,
Are you rotating the laser itself? I've seen poorly made helical focusers do the same thing, when you rotate the focuser, with the laser installed. You can check the laser by putting it into a v-block and turning it carefully and watching the beam on a far wall. Don't have a v-block? Just about anything will do, two pieces of wood nailed together, or any angle that will allow you to hold the laser in position while turning it. If the beam doesn't stay in one spot as you rotate the laser, then return it, it's not aligned correctly.
--
Scott Baker
http://members.cts.com/nebula/s/scottb80/
San Diego Astronomy Association
http://www.sdaa.org
International Dark-Sky Association
http://www.darksky.org
Are you rotating the laser itself? I've seen poorly made helical focusers do the same thing, when you rotate the focuser, with the laser installed. You can check the laser by putting it into a v-block and turning it carefully and watching the beam on a far wall. Don't have a v-block? Just about anything will do, two pieces of wood nailed together, or any angle that will allow you to hold the laser in position while turning it. If the beam doesn't stay in one spot as you rotate the laser, then return it, it's not aligned correctly.
--
Scott Baker
http://members.cts.com/nebula/s/scottb80/
San Diego Astronomy Association
http://www.sdaa.org
International Dark-Sky Association
http://www.darksky.org
Funding Member
