Pentax 10 Collimation

Collimation

Any optical system must be properly collimated for best image quality.

Collimation procedures can become a bit involved, as indicated by the

many articles and books in telescope literature. The design and

construction of the Teleport leaves only two variables that will nor-

mally need to be checked, namely the angles of both mirrors.

The fastest and easiest way to collimate your scope is with a Teleport

Laser Collimator or other laser collimation tool. Briefly, this procedure is:

1. Insert the collimator into the focuser.

2. Adjust the secondary alignment screws so the laser spot falls inside

the ring in the center of the primary mirror.

3. Adjust the primary collimation screws so the returning beam falls

back onto the source in the center of the collimator face.

➤Details of this procedure are in the instructions for the Teleport Laser Collimator.

Collimation can also be done with optical tools, including a

, and

. These are available from

. Details of the procedures for these

tools are in their manual and are also covered in the Protostar Diago-

nal Mount Assembly manual enclosed. Its diagrams show the visual

appearance of the mirrors before and after collimation.

Become comfortable with collimation of the Teleport to take full

advantage of its high quality optics. Understanding the collimation

procedures will help point out any problems you may have with proper

opening techniques.

If you find after opening your scope, that the collimation is far off from

the last time it was used, chances are you failed to get one or more

struts fully extended either this time or the last. (Prior collimation may

have partially compensated for this error, but performance will never be

as good as if the scope is properly opened then collimated). If it appears

way off, loosen all 8 clamps and partially close the Teleport and re-open

it, being sure to reach full strut extension, before collimating.

➤The feedback provided by a quick check of collimation after opening your scope

will help you perfect your opening technique. When you become proficient at

this, you will find that your scope’s collimation is very close every time. “Close”

means that the laser spots on both the primary mirror and the collimator face

are no more than a few millimeters from center.