Now I've read that star testing (and consequent collimation tweaking) is only effective in good seeing conditions. Given such conditions seem to be fleeting
and the problem of keeping the star centred in a non-tracking dob or alt-az SCT, seems it's about time I learnt how to collimate with an "artificial star". I read hints of capturing a reflection of sunlight - off a glass/ceramic insulator on the electrical wires seems to be a favourite. But how long is that present, given the movement of the Sun?
So how does everyone do it? How do you get a fine pinprick of bright light that is fairly stable in brightness and not moving with the earth's rotation? Is there a way to get that pinprick source located at different scope altitudes so collimation can be checked against OTA altitude? Can it be sourced close to the scope or does it need to be hundreds of metres away
Looking forward to hearing your wisdom and tips and tricks.
