Hi Steve and Dave, The Takahashi FSQ 106 should not ever need collimation unless it has been severely jarred (dropped on the ground etc.). It has an 88 mm image circle so even if it was out of collimation a little it wouldn't be noticeable. Steve's images show tracking and focus errors not collimation. Getting good focus is not trivial since a fast scope like the FSQ has a very narrow good focus position. You need an electronic focuser at a minimum. Tracking is also not trivial and very accurate polar alignment is a must. If you use PhD guiding you can bring up the graph and see how the guiding is going. Most refractors never need collimation but I have looked through a few that did. Some can be collimated such as the Takahashi TOA 150 but others like the FSQ 106 and the TEC refractors are permanently collimated at the factory and must be returned if they need re-collimation. Clear Skies, Don Colton -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Dave Gary Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2014 4:46 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] M64 Image Don, Joe, Steve, Chuck, Sig, Patrick, anyone who knows: My ignorance knows no bounds. I've been reading your posts regarding Steve's collimation/tracking problems. 1. Do refractors usually require collimation after a period of time? 2. Does it, usually, involve the focuser and not the objective? 3. If it's the focuser-end of the scope, can it occur because you have put too equipment (weight) on that end and whacked it out? 4. How does one fix it? I don't have any problems with my scope. I'm just ignorant of the process. I, honestly, didn't think you collimated refractors. Thanks in advance for any input. Dave On May 21, 2014, at 9:09, Don J. Colton <djcolton@piol.com> wrote:
I concur with Joe's observation and suggestion.
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 6:51 PM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] M64 Image
It looks more like a tracking error that collimation. The softness could be because the focus is off a little or because the tracking is too aggressive and overshoots and corrects frequently. Since you ate stacking images I would suggest shorter exposures to see what that looks like.
------------------------------ On Tue, May 20, 2014 3:17 PM MDT gazebo4sale@comcast.net wrote:
Don, Thanks for looking. I have a collimation eyepiece for this refractor and it does look good. I will have to check it out with a star ASAP. Here is a 300 second sub from my M20 image that I have enlarged to show the elongation. Do you think this is tracking. The software I use to Stack, (images plus) handles eccentricity quite nicely but the focus becomes a bit soft. Your input will be greatly appreciated. See: http://home.comcast.net/~galico/M20Track.jpg
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don J. Colton" <djcolton@piol.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 2:49:16 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] M64 Image
That looks like a tracking error not collimation.
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of gazebo4sale@comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 1:51 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] M64 Image
Hi, I captured this image of M64 during my trip to Capital Reef 3 weeks ago. I have to get to the bottom of my collimation problem, but the image came out interesting.
see: http://home.comcast.net/~galico/M64.jpg
Thanks Steve Gallenson
25X300" Light Subs
Dark,Flats, Bias calibrated.
Staked in Images Plus
Backyard EOS camera control
Hutech Modified Canon T3i
Takahahshi FSQ 106 N for imaging
Takahahsi EM 200 Temma 2 mount
Guided with Starlite Express Loadstar on 500 mm Nikon Lens.
Processed with IP and CS5 using Scott's LRGB techniques. ----- Original Message -----
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