Collimation on a LX200

Mark Nagel · Guest

I have an LX200gps and I'm wondering if it needs collimation or if its a normal of a SCT. I put Bob's knobs on it and usingthe look down the tube at 5' adjusted it so the circles are equal distance bullseyes. When I try the defocused star, it didn't seem to matter if I adjusted or not, it always looked like a centered bullseye.

When I look thought he scope during the daytime at a sign 35 yards away, it looks like it goes in and out of focus and the contrast areas spike out (spiky distortion around areas of dark to light boarders (letters on a sign). Is this normal or do I need it adjusted more?

I'm a photographer and know sharp vs soft and this is different. Its a distortion is the best way I can explain it.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5022

Hi

That's really not enough information to pinpoint the problem. Simply too many possibilities. I'd take it to a local astronomy club and have someone look at it. Flaring can be caused by lack of collimation, but it could just as easily be the eyepiece, the diagonal, your own eyesight, secondary obstruction and a bad mirror and so on.
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