collimating with a webcam

[beren]

Last couple of sessions ive been using my meade lpi capturing some DSOs {:ashamed: } and noticed while focusing on stars at longer exposure rates i can use the images to collimate the scope . By chance someone has posted a similar experiance at cloudy nights , anybody else tried it , i was surprised how out i was .

[Comet Hunter]

Just so happens I was collimating with my QC earlier this evening. I use the reticle feature in K3 CCD Tools to help with judging the offset/misalignment of the ringlets. Basically, use the software to zoom in till the edge of the star fills one of the outter circles of the reticle on the screen then adjust focus accordingly to get the ringlets.

I find it's alot more convienent and quickier standing in front of the scope and laptop using the AutoStarII to slew the image back to the centre of reticle after each adjustment then trying to reach around fiddling with the screws while lookin through the eye piece then having to stop and adjusting to get the image back in fov.

[[1ponders]]

Its amazing the things that can jump out at you at times Aragorn. Thats how I discovered my meade was out of collimation.

Before I put the hartman mask on the other night I defocused the star first and noticed the Secondary wasn't centred in the defocused image on the laptop, even though I had a quick check through an eyepiece earlier in the night. Its a lot easier I've found to look at the laptop screen and adjust rather than reach down to the opposite end of the scope while I look through the eyepiece. Plus I feel its more accurate as I have a larger image to work with when its "really" defocused (within reason :) ) and I can up the gain and still see it, whereas in the eyepiece its not so easy at times.

[rumples riot]

Never tried that, but i did test my scope last night and it was perfect for collimation, but I think that I could try the LPI method and this would make it easier even with Bobs knobs. Thanks for the tip.

[gbeal]

And for you lovers of things Meade, the newest geneartion takes all that new found fun away. It does it itself evidently.
Gary

[rumples riot]

Yeah, till the power goes out, then its a $8000.00 scare crow. LOL

[[1ponders]]

:lol2:

[[1ponders]]

Now if only it can open the roof above my bed, set itself up and wake me up with a cup of tea, already pointed at the best view of the night. :D

[Striker]

Rumples........lol