joining the GS Dob club!

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #1 25-01-2005, 10:28 AM

Just got the word from the gf that there a certain package just arrived for me =)

Now, what the heck is this collimation and can anyone point in the right direction on performing this action on my scope when I get home? I don't have a "laser collimator phase warp transmutor dilthium matrix adjustor" like janos, nor do I have 5 billion eyepieces to get past dew =(

mch62 (Mark) · #2 25-01-2005, 10:56 AM

Try these links for the hows and whys.

If you can understand the whys the hows will make more sence to you.

I used these when I built my newtonian and had to colliminate from scratch.

At first it might take a while to do but the more you do it the simpler it will be.

It is best to use two people when you are starting out to save on frustration , and remember the final test by doing a star test.

Don't assume it is correct untill you have done a simple star test.

It doesn't take long and will save you asking what the ~!@$@&^ is wrong with this scope.

http://web.telia.com/~u41105032/kolli/kolli.html

http://www.vvm.com/~piscescs/collimat/NoTools2.html

Mark

p.s. feal free to ask questions as a badly aligned Newtonian has given them a bad reputation in the past , and we don't want that now do we?

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #3 25-01-2005, 11:15 AM

Thanks Mark!

iceman (Mike) · #4 25-01-2005, 01:18 PM

Here's a couple of other links, the flash movie on the "Andy's Shot Glass" page really helped me understand what collimation is and how to fix it.. it finally opened my eyes and a light bulb went on above my head.

Sky & Telescope - How to Collimate a Newtonian Reflector

Andy's Shot Glass - Collimating Movie

Good luck!

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #5 25-01-2005, 02:01 PM

Thanks Ice... though the universe is alerted to my package... the clouds are starting to roll in...

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #6 25-01-2005, 02:16 PM

oh man... touching fragile expensive objects with my hands... I get the shakes...

that flash movie was great... but I can see myself breaking my primary mirror...

iceman (Mike) · #7 25-01-2005, 02:22 PM

You don't touch the mirror, you turn some screws which are on the under side of the mirror cell.

You have practically zero chance of breaking your primary by collimating..

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #8 25-01-2005, 02:24 PM

well that's good to know... it does make the process simply understandly though, which is great...

Any reason why he would have touched the secondary mirror and showed what happens if you drop it?

Cloud update: getting cloudier

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #9 25-01-2005, 03:24 PM

cloud cover at 75%

It couldn't have been more precisely timed.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #10 25-01-2005, 05:32 PM

BLiTZWiNG,

Few words of about collimation at the business end of the job (...or how not to make things much worse than you have to):

With the secondary you probably only need to tweak the three collimation screws (not the middle one), because the position of the mirror along the length of the tube should be OK. These you should adjust in small steps (less than 1/4 turn!) otherwise the mirror could loose its support. In each step you loosen one screw slightly, then tighten the other(s) to take up the little slack.

Adjustment of the primary wasn't clear to me at first, because I was expecting to see only 3 screws not 6. It is a lot easier than the secondary though, because the mirror is always well supported by 3 springs loaded screws at the back of the mirror. There are 3 other screws flush with the back of the mirror housing. Loosen these first, then adjust orientation of the mirror at the 3 spring loaded screws, finally retighten the mirror housing support screws.

Hope you and I both get some breaks in the clouds. Despite all us Victorians buying all that astro gear, I remain optimistic. Have the dew patrol ready! Resist the temptation to use the eyepiece holder on the side of the dob mount!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #11 25-01-2005, 05:47 PM

Kids with new toys at christmas!

I know how you feel. Great isn't it.

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #12 25-01-2005, 06:22 PM

I put the base sides in the wrong sides... I discover this after a 1.5 hours of construction

Thanks janos... the way I found out I put it together backwards was after I found the holes for that damn eyepiece holder!!

*grumbles* back to work.... *sigh*

Striker (Tony) · #13 25-01-2005, 06:23 PM

Dont worry your not the first!.....hehe

gaa_ian (Ian) · #14 25-01-2005, 06:37 PM

Hmm...think I did that too !

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #15 25-01-2005, 06:46 PM

Reversed...

man that is a huge scope... on paper the numbers sound big, but it's a beast to behold in the flesh!

oh, and it's not black! I want a refund!

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #16 25-01-2005, 07:40 PM

Ok, it's together... I really don't like the bolts on the side that hold the springs in the mount... they're... loosish... and I acidentally poked one through the other side

Not sure if the finder scope is properly seated yet either... oh well

jackenau · #17 25-01-2005, 09:24 PM

BLiTZWiNG

I can relate to your anticipation and frustrations in putting a new scope together. Had similar problems, but never poked one through the other side.

Agree with your thoughts on the bolts that hold the springs in the mount.

The actual bolts that hold the round bracket that my scope centres on are loose and can't quite reach them to hold the nuts. Doesn't cause much of a problem except when focusing. Just have to make allowance for it.

Someone on this forum (I think) suggested they only use one spring. Tried it myself and solved the problem (temporarily)

"Must tighten my nuts"

Enjoy, so much to see, just need to know what I am seeing!

Ken M

BLiTZWiNG (Trent) · #18 25-01-2005, 09:36 PM

hehe

gaa_ian (Ian) · #19 25-01-2005, 10:36 PM

See the other GSO dob club post by Janos for some GSO Dob tips

Think we need a DOB owner FAQ page

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #20 25-01-2005, 10:54 PM

Specifically 'GS' Dobbers FAQ page by the sound of it!