Testing my new 22" NightSky

I know I should know this after having spent $10k plus on my new scope, but is there a way for me to test the optics for a turned edge or other flaws, beyond a ronchi test? Should I just stick with the out of focus star test and be happy with that? Any articles or links you could direct me to would be appreciated. I hope to use the scope for the first time tomorrow night and I really have little idea how to analyze the quality of the mirror beyond the star test.

Thanx so much for any help.
Gregg
Augusta, Maine

Actually, the star test is probably one of the most rigorous tests you can do on your own, and will tell you a great deal about your mirror's quality.

Here are a couple of good articles concerning the star test. The first one, aberrator, has some good images of various aberrations so you will know what to look for.

http://aberrator.astronomy.net/html/body_star-testing.html

http://voltaire.csun.edu/tmb/tmb4.html


Also, if you don't already own it, I would suggest that you get Richard Suiter's book "Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes", as it contains a wealth of information.

Doug
Midway, FL

Hi Gregg,
I agree that the star test, if understood and properly applied, will show all aberrations and defects quite well.
If you do a star test and it looks just like the illustrations show for perfect optics on both sides of focus, then it is likely the optics are very good.