Meade Instruments Polaris Series - Manual (Page 21)

tissues or damage could result to the optics.
DO NOT use a commercial photographic
lens cleaner.
COLLIMATION (ALIGNMENT) OF OPTICS
(REFLECTING MODELS ONLY)
All Meade Polaris Reflecting telescopes
are optically aligned at the factory prior to
shipment. It is unlikely that you will need to
align, or collimate, the optics after receipt
of the instrument. However, if the telescope
received unusually rough handling in
shipment, it is possible that the optics must
be re aligned for best optical performance.
In any case this alignment procedure is
simple, and requires only a few minutes
the very first time the telescope is used.
Take the time to familiarize yourself with
the following collimation procedure, so that
you will recognize a properly collimated
instrument and can adjust the collimation
yourself, if necessary.
A. CORRECT COLLIMATION
The properly collimated (aligned) mirror
system in the Meade Polaris telescope
assures the sharpest images possible. This
occurs when the primary mirror and secondary
mirror are tilted so that the focused image
falls directly through the center of the focuser
draw tube. These mirror tilt adjustments are
made with the secondary mirror assembly
and the primary mirror cell (Fig. 13) and will
be discussed later.
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversable damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
Fig. 17
A B C
Collimation
Fig. 16
4
5
3
3
1
2
2
2
2
1
3
4
1
Primary Mirror Misalignment
Fig. 15
4
5
3
3
1
2
2
2
2
1
3
4
1
Secondary Mirror Misalignment
Fig. 14
4
5
3
3
1
2
2
2
2
1
3
4
1
Correct Collimation
Fig. 13
3 2
Primary Mirror Cell
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