4 replies to this topic

[tloebl]

I guess this is a geometry question and I hope I can describe it in a way that makes sense using my f3.9 newt.  My secondary vane is exactly centered but the secondary mirror is offset on its stem. Assuming the telescope is perfectly collimated and the secondary is exactly at a 45 degree tilt, If I move the ota to a horizontal position and walk back while looking down the ota, at some distance the secondary will just cover its own reflection in the primary. At that point, should I see it perfectly centered on the primary mirror with 4 equal primary quadrants ?  When I try this with  my f6 newt that has a centered secondary with no offset, the secondary and it's reflection are perfectly centered on the primary.

[TxStars]

This might help you some. 

 

https://www.cloudyni...onian-how-much/

 

The secondary should be slightly away from center. (looking in the front of the tube with focuser on right the secondary should be slightly left of center)

Edited by TxStars, 24 February 2021 - 09:00 PM.

[bbasiaga]

No I don't think you should, because the mirror is not mechanically centered on the optical axis.  It should appear slightly closer to the OTA tube on the side opposite the focuser.  

 

-Brian

[MitchAlsup]

In my 13" F/3, the secondary is visibly off center, you can see it looking down the front of the UTA, and you can see it in the EP 20+ waves out of focus, and this is the proper position for it to be in.

[tloebl]

Thanks for both of your inputs. Sounds like the it's normal for the secondary to be offset slightly away from the focuser side when looking from the front of the OTA.