Re: ATM Another poor man collimating

[Rocky <wb5ftr@mvpisp.com>]

 >At 01:21 PM 10/4/00, you wrote:
 >
 >
 >2) I assume the Cheshire test does not ensure that the main mirror is
 >centred in the field of view. Should I mark the center with a dot, then
l>ine this up with the center of the Cheshire?
 >

A small paper reinforcer (used to strengthen holes in notebook pages)
seems a better choice than inks.  Works well with cheshire or laser.



 >3) Does a laser collimator do a better job than the Cheshire, or is it
 >just another way of blowing money on astronomy :=)


In keeping with the ATM aspect of this list...    why not make your own?
Lots of info in the archives on building and aligning them (and loads
cheaper if that is an issue...   as it is for me).
I use both and then star test for conformation.  If all three indicate I'm
on the spot...    must be so.  I can see as much using a 3" reflector with
decent optics and collamation as the average 5" commercially made
shit-cassigrain as it comes from the factory.




+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rocky     (Paul Watson)      WB5FTR     QRP-L #1775
32d 30m N, 106d 45m W  (give or take a parsec or two)

"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere
in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us."