Meade 114EQ-AR instruction manual Diagonal Holder Adjustments, Correct Collimation

Meade114EQAR 3/28/07 9:52 AM Page 19

Fig. 13

32

Primary Mirror Cell

Fig. 14

2	1
	2
4	3
	5
Correct Collimation

Fig. 15

1

3

2

Diagonal Mirror Misalignment

Fig. 16

(3, Fig. 14), the spider vanes

(4, Fig. 14), and your eye (5, Fig. 14).

Properly aligned, all of these 17 reflections will appear concentric

(i.e., centered) as illustrated in Fig. 14.

Any deviation from the concentric reflections will require adjustments to the diagonal assembly and/or the primary mirror cell (Fig. 11).

B. DIAGONAL HOLDER ADJUSTMENTS

If the diagonal mirror (1, Fig. 15) is centered

familiarize yourself with the following collimation procedure, so that you will recognize a properly collimated instrument and can adjust the collimation yourself, if necessary.

A. CORRECT COLLIMATION

1

2

3 4

Primary Mirror Misalignment

in the drawtube (2, Fig. 15), but the primary mirror is only partially visible in the reflection (3, Fig. 15), the 3 Phillips-head diagonal tilt screws (To adjust these screws you must first remove an adhesive backing)

Fig. 17

The properly collimated (aligned) mirror system in the Meade 114 EQ-AR assures the sharpest images possible. This occurs when the primary mirror and diagonal mirror are tilted so that the focused image falls directly through the center of the focuser drawtube. These mirror tilt adjustments are made with the diagonal

assembly and the primary mirror cell (Fig. 11) and will be discussed later.

To inspect the view of the mirror collimation, look down the focuser drawtube with the eyepiece removed. The edge of the focuser drawtube (1, Fig. 14), will frame the reflections of the primary mirror with the 3 mirror clips (2, Fig. 14), the diagonal mirror

A B C

Collimation

Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.