Trouble aligning the 127 mak - skywatcher

[Saturnqueen (Shachi)]

Hi Guys,

This is Shachi and quite a newbie to this whole skywatching thing which Ive dreamt of doing since I was a child. I recently gifted myself the Skywatcher 127 Mak 4" SynScan™ GoTo Alt-Azimuth HD Go-To Mount for my 30th after a very long wait and now have problems aligning the scope itself. Just to explain a bit more, I have tried aligning using the scope finder, 2X barlow with a 25mm eyepiece on a
Hoping to get some advise from fellow experts!

[BeanerSA (Paul)]

I'm not quite sure what you're asking, but first things first. Setup the scope outside during the day, and pick a high distant object. A phone tower, the tip of a building, something over 300m away is ideal.

Put in an eyepiece, high mag (smaller mm value) is better, but whatever you have on hand will be fine.

Move the telescope until the distant object you've chosen, is in the centre of the eyepiece.

Now move to the finderscope, and adjust it until the crosshairs are centred on the same object.

If you've already done this successfully, or encounter further problems, we can go from there.

[Saturnqueen (Shachi)]

Originally Posted by BeanerSA

I'm not quite sure what you're asking, but first things first. Setup the scope outside during the day, and pick a high distant object. A phone tower, the tip of a building, something over 300m away is ideal.

Put in an eyepiece, high mag (smaller mm value) is better, but whatever you have on hand will be fine.

Move the telescope until the distant object you've chosen, is in the centre of the eyepiece.

Now move to the finderscope, and adjust it until the crosshairs are centred on the same object.

If you've already done this successfully, or encounter further problems, we can go from there.

To begin with, I have focused on a distant object first using the finders scope to only then check if something is visible from the eyepiece. Its just appears dark. ( this was done during daylight) I have tried the other way round like what you have described and still nothing.

To ensure the telescope is working, I have flashed a torch light to see if there was any variance in the darkness and there was. In short, it was bright when the light was flashed and dark otherwise.

[doppler (Rick)]

Try winding the foccuser all the way out and then all the way in (while looking through the eyepiece, with just the 25mm eyepiece(no barlow). Try this on some trees down the road in the daylight.

[sharptrack2 (Kevin)]

Hi Shachi,

There are a 100's of videos on YouTube that can help you and I suggest you take a look. But to rule out anything funny going on, let's run through a basic check of your optics to make sure there isn't anything drastically wrong.

First, I will assume that you have a 90 degree erecting eyepiece as in photo #1. Insert only that piece into the focuser and point the telescope toward some light, not a pinpoint of light such as a flash light but just daylight or a bright room. Then look into the eyepiece, carefully, just in case you do have a very bright light in view. You should see something like photo #2.

If you don't, something is definitely wrong. I would assume you have removed all covers, but double check. Take a look down the tube from the front, it should look something like photo #3. You should be able to see a large mirror at the back with your reflection in it and another image of the secondary mirror looking back through the middle of the large mirror (basically a black hole... no pun intended! ). If that all looks good, on to the fiddly part.

Try to line up on a target at least 50 to 100 metres away. Light posts are good since they are tall and you can get good contrast between dark and light with the sky behind it. Sight along the side of tube to get the altitude, and along the top to get the azimuth (photo #4). Back the focuser all the way out (toward you when standing behind the scope). While looking through the eyepiece, you should be able to fine adjust the direction and see changes in the light and dark in the eyepiece. Use the fine adjustments, something as thin as a light post will flash right by if you move the tube with your hands. If the focuser has enough range, you should actually be able to focus the target, but don't be alarmed if you can't. Photo #5 is an example.

If you are happy you have the target in the field of view, take a look through your finder scope. the target should be close. I doubt it will be dead on target since during the assembly some error would have been introduced . Using the 2 or 3 thumb screws located around the mounting block of the finder, move the cross-hairs to be centred on the target. Double check you have not moved the telescope by checking the main view again. Re-adjust if you have and align the finder once again. Might take 2-3 times to get it right on target.

Now the test, find another target, farther away (> 500m if possible) and using the telescope's fine adjustments and looking through the finder, align the telescope to it. Put in your longest focal length eyepiece (20mm or >). The image of the new target should be visible and you should be able to focus in on it.

Do search YouTube for help. I have solved many a dilemma by watching other people explain how to do something.

Good luck! Let us know how you go.

[Saturnqueen (Shachi)]

Originally Posted by sharptrack2

Hi Shachi,

There are a 100's of videos on YouTube that can help you and I suggest you take a look. But to rule out anything funny going on, let's run through a basic check of your optics to make sure there isn't anything drastically wrong.

First, I will assume that you have a 90 degree erecting eyepiece as in photo #1. Insert only that piece into the focuser and point the telescope toward some light, not a pinpoint of light such as a flash light but just daylight or a bright room. Then look into the eyepiece, carefully, just in case you do have a very bright light in view. You should see something like photo #2.

If you don't, something is definitely wrong. I would assume you have removed all covers, but double check. Take a look down the tube from the front, it should look something like photo #3. You should be able to see a large mirror at the back with your reflection in it and another image of the secondary mirror looking back through the middle of the large mirror (basically a black hole... no pun intended! ). If that all looks good, on to the fiddly part.

Try to line up on a target at least 50 to 100 metres away. Light posts are good since they are tall and you can get good contrast between dark and light with the sky behind it. Sight along the side of tube to get the altitude, and along the top to get the azimuth (photo #4). Back the focuser all the way out (toward you when standing behind the scope). While looking through the eyepiece, you should be able to fine adjust the direction and see changes in the light and dark in the eyepiece. Use the fine adjustments, something as thin as a light post will flash right by if you move the tube with your hands. If the focuser has enough range, you should actually be able to focus the target, but don't be alarmed if you can't. Photo #5 is an example.

If you are happy you have the target in the field of view, take a look through your finder scope. the target should be close. I doubt it will be dead on target since during the assembly some error would have been introduced . Using the 2 or 3 thumb screws located around the mounting block of the finder, move the cross-hairs to be centred on the target. Double check you have not moved the telescope by checking the main view again. Re-adjust if you have and align the finder once again. Might take 2-3 times to get it right on target.

Now the test, find another target, farther away (> 500m if possible) and using the telescope's fine adjustments and looking through the finder, align the telescope to it. Put in your longest focal length eyepiece (20mm or >). The image of the new target should be visible and you should be able to focus in on it.

Do search YouTube for help. I have solved many a dilemma by watching other people explain how to do something.

Good luck! Let us know how you go.

I got the scope aligned and there was absolutely no problem with it. I realised I wasn't positioning the scope properly and wasn't focusing the scope finder right.

I did watch a couple of videos, but failed to do it right. This time it was a success and now I am ready to take the beast for a ride (when the sky is clear that is). :thumbs:

Thank you others for your advices

[sharptrack2 (Kevin)]

Good to hear Shachi! Hopefully you'll enjoy the journey. Lots to see out there .