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High accuracy collimation using CATSEYE collimation tools

This is the basic procedure for obtaining precise collimation using the TELECAT sight tube/Cheshire tool and INFINITY autocollimator
ASA N12 with CATSEYE collimation tools
ASA N12 with CATSEYE collimation tools		 Centering the secondary under focuser
Centering the secondary under focuser		 Insert TELECAT Sight Tube/Cheshire
Insert TELECAT Sight Tube/Cheshire		 Looking through the TELECAT
Looking through the TELECAT
View through TELECAT after main mirror adjustments
View through TELECAT after main mirror adjustments		 Insert INFINITY autocollimator
Insert INFINITY autocollimator		 Initial view through INFINITY Autocollimator
Initial view through INFINITY Autocollimator		 Make secondary adjustments
Make secondary adjustments
Near perfect collimation
Near perfect collimation		 Laser collimator
Laser collimator		 Laser in centre of mirror centre spot
Laser in centre of mirror centre spot

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sixela 22-Mar-2007 16:32
Nice pictures..
A few comments:

-in practice, you should probably do final collimation with the scope pointing up about half way the altitude range you are going to observe in (or if you want to look at a planet, the altitude range it's going to travel in). Not many scopes have stable collimation from 0° to 90° in altitude, and positions nearly horizontal are a bit tricky.

Yes, that does mean watching out with the little Allen wrench when you set the tilt on the secondary ;).

-when you tuned with the autocollimator, always recheck with the TeleCat or BlackCat to see if the reading's still OK.
Peter Arnold 19-Mar-2007 18:31
Hi Mike, I think it's fine that you don't have your FLI Cam at the time :-) - so you can provide us with useful informations like this.Thank you, the photos helped me a lot! Peter (owner of a ASA 8/f3.8)
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