Collimating a Newtonian Telescope (Celestron 130 SLT)

Collimation is super important for getting sharp even astrophotos. Make sure this is spot on before imaging. Its generally good practice to check the collimation whenever you introduce vibrations to your Optical Tube Assembly (OTA), during travel for example.

Some excellent Astrophotography youtubers to check out!:

Edit:
I just made a website with some more information about Astrophotography! It's got some great info covering the basics as well as a bit more detail about my process. Check out the Astrophotography section!

[rjkral]

Great video thanks! Got a Celestron 130dx it was way off, so much that the red dot scope couldn't be used at all. This video made it easy to collimate the scope with a laser and everything's good now! 👍

[photonmaster]

Thank you for the video. What screw driver you use for adjusting the secondary mirror. What type and size of screw driver please

[avatar]

Would one need collimate a 130SLT just due to moving it, carefully, from inside a home to out onto a backyard patio deck? Just how sensitive are these mirror's alignments?

[Oneoniner-]

just picked this scope up for 250 tonight. its pretty dope. came with a cheshire collimator. im used to laser style though. i notice the focuser has some slop (common on these). i read up on cloudynights that there are set screws. ill try that. subd.

[mercster]

My secondary mirror is out of alignment and they didn't include the allen wrench. Great.

[NoPlaneSwing]

Thank you for this. I bought a 130eq and although it is entry level, I found it very difficult to collimate. Your video is a simple presentation but is quite different from the Celeston manual's recommendation. I have found posts dating back 8 years saying the 130eq cannot be collimated using traditional means, but I am using your video as a guide. Mars just passed prime opposition and it looked pretty poor in my scope. Thanks for the guide. Hopefully it will improve the view!

[DanStone]

Does the cullimating laser piece come with the telescope? I just ordered one and haven't received it yet.

[davidbrisbane]

If you have tried, which you didn't in this video, to adjust adjust the laser beam on to the spot at the back of the primary mirror because it was not aligned, then you'd find that it is a bugger to adjust, as the size of the adjustment points on the spider holding the secondary mirror onto the spider are very small indeed.

[cristinamdelarosa]

thank you for this! i was so confused !

[Luka_]

Not as intimidating as I though! Just one question, what collimator are you using?

[vickyisust]

Just a quick question. How exactly do we ensure central alignment in primary mirror. As I rotated the central screw in the front mirror and it is totally disrupted. I actually have a laser collimator too and I feel I have got it worse..any suggestions

[onetwothree-km]

Is the telescope main mirror semi-permanent? Or do I have to replace it every few years? sorry I'm korean I'm not well English

[juliano]

I've asked many people who own this type of scope. Why is the secondary mirror movable and not fixed in place. Same for the Primary mirror. What is the point of Having these mirrors made to move? Collimation would be eliminated if these mirrors were fixed. No one has answered this question for months. Anyone???

Plus, if I even blow on the front three secondary mirror screws, scope gers out of collimation. Are those 3 screws generally that loose?

Begs my initial question, why are these mirrors movable?

[neilcampbell]

Is there a way you can align it without the colmulator lens ?

[phreakor]

Hello, great simple video on how to use the laser collimator. I'm wondering about your mods. I guess you moved the primary mirror closer to the secondary so you could achieve prime focus with a camera. How much did you move it forward?

[thewalkingdeadrs]

is collimating only for astrophotos or also for observation? i have the same telescope and i tried to see jupiter and it only showed a bright dot (couldnt even tell it was jupiter) i used the 25mm eyepiece... what are you suggesting me?

[cmc]

Does this scope come with all of the stuff needed to do collimation or do you need to buy additional stuff?