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Author Topic: Astimatism in LX5  (Read 3720 times)
smith99
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« on: August 07, 2008, 05:42:00 PM »

Is there any way to correct the astigmatism in the optics of my LX5? I tried a mask and can get good star images thru a 3" circular diameter opening but not with the whole aperture.
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Mark Sibole
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« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2008, 10:39:41 PM »

Have you tried to columinate the scope?
There may be a mis alignment between the primary and secondary mirror.
I know the LX5 is an old scope and I do not know what kind of optics were used way back then but it may simply be out of adjustment.

Regards

Mark

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Mark Sibole
MTSO Observatory
Fife Lake, Mi.

http://astronomy.qteaser.com
smith99
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« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2008, 05:17:06 AM »

Thanks for the reply!  Yes, I have collimated the scope by centering the image of the secondary against the image of the mirror on a de-focused star. Although that is important, I still get a poor star image upon focusing again. A slightly defocused star image is football shaped and on the other side of focus, it is again football shaped, oriented 180 deg from the previous image. I was wondering if the Televue eyesight astigmatism corrector might help or perhaps a coma corrector.
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Mark Sibole
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« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2008, 08:39:48 PM »

Im not sure if that will help.
The coatings could finally be breaking down.
Like I stated im nor real familiar with the LX5 so I dont know what direction to go.
Sorry I couldnt be more help.

Regards

Mark


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Mark Sibole
MTSO Observatory
Fife Lake, Mi.

http://astronomy.qteaser.com
smith99
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« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2008, 07:26:48 PM »

After experimenting on this for a while, I've found that I can effect the image by loosening the retaining ring and rotating the corrector plate with respect to the optical tube. I also found that the secondary has a little lateral play on the corrector plate as well. I haven't totally fixed the "astigmatism", if that's what it really is, but I can effect the image and make some modest improvements. I also tried backing out the collimation screws on the secondary almost all the way and then recentering the image of the secondary, but that didn't really effect anything.
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avenosod
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« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2011, 09:57:27 AM »

Try it again by using ONLY an eyepiece, no diagonal. Rotate eyepiece to see if oval ratates with it. If yes, bad eyepiece. Only make adjustments to corrector plate and/or secondary witout diagonal. Did you return corrector to original position. It came factory set so this is important. Secondary can come loose and move or rotate. I would try rotating and re-centering secondary only to get round out-of-focus image. Then collimate in the time tested manner.

Dennis
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