How does a telescope focuser work?
The focuser moves the eyepiece holder up and down slightly, adjusting the focus of the eyepiece for each individual observer. There are friction focusers or rack-and-pinion focusers. Regardless of the type on your telescope, your focuser should move smoothly without causing your telescope to shake.
What is mirror flop?
Mirror flop is movement in the primary mirror that occurs as the optical tube is aimed in different directions on the mount. As the mirror moves so does the image which is ‘image shift’.
What is a Crayford style focuser?
The Crayford focuser is a simplified focusing mechanism for amateur astronomical telescopes. Crayford focusers are considered superior to entry-level rack and pinion focusers, normally found in this type of device.
What does a helical focuser do?
Helical focusers work by turning a ring to focus as we do when using a conventional camera (at least in manual focus mode). A true helical focuser works like a camera – when you turn the focusing ring, neither the lens nor the camera (or eyepiece and diagonal) rotate.
How do you focus Celestron SCT?
All Celestron SCTs and some Maks adjust focus by sliding the primary mirror along a set of nesting baffles inside the main tube. This is done by an arm to one side of the tube that is fixed to the mirror. Because of this design, some lateral shift may occur as you focus the scope.
What is mirror flop on an SCT?
Mirror flop is movement in the primary mirror that occurs as the optical tube is aimed in different directions on the mount. As the mirror moves so does the image which is ‘image shift’. In my experience SCT designed telescopes are more susceptible to mirror flop.
How do you calibrate a Celestron focuser?
To calibrate using a Celestron hand control, press the MENU button, then select “Focuser,” then “Calibration.” If using either the Celestron Focuser Utility Program or Celestron PWI software, calibration can be done directly from the program’s user interface.
How does a dual speed focuser work?
A dual speed focuser can provide two focusing speeds by using a set of co-axial knobs, one for fast focusing and another for fine focusing when the film or CCD is near the perfect focal plane. This is different from the two separate focusing knobs seen on low level microscopes.
What is a rack and pinion focuser?
Rack and pinion focusers are the ones that there is a linear geared bar on the focuser tube, and a round gear is attached to the knob. These focusers do not slip but can come from the ultra-cheap plastic quality of Skywatcher 80/400 doublet to the precision of Feathertouch.
How do you control a Celestron focus Motor?
There are three options for powering your Celestron Focus Motor:
- When using a Celestron computerized mount, you can power and control the focus motor through the mount using the supplied AUX cable.
- If you are not using a Celestron mount, you can power and control the focus motor from a computer USB port.
What is mirror shift?
Mirror shift – same as image shift, but the cause is the primary mirror moving in an unanticipated direction (not just back and forth usually a bit of tilt). Image shift is the more generic term, it can apply to any type of focuser or scope, mirror shift is unique to telescopes with moving primary mirrors.
How do you control Zwo EAF?
Open the focuser control panel.
- choose the focuser that you connected.
- Set suitable settings for your EAF.
- Click the icon and enter the EAF settings page.
- EAF Advanced Settings.
- Choose ZWO Focuser in ASCOM panel.
- Choose ZWO Focuser in ASCOM panel.
- select ASCOM Focuser.
- Setup the settings of ASCOM focuser.