[ATM] First Light!

[Bob May]

I position the primary mirror the easy way.
Take thge scope out and look at something a mile or more away.
This can be a slight problem in Kansas but elesewhere it
shouldn't be too much of a problem.  Put in a 21mm EP and rack
the focuser all the way out and then in a little bit, just enough
to get it off of the limit stop.Put the primary in the tube and
focus the scope.  Don't worry too much about collimation at this
point other than making sure that you are seeing mostly out the
tube.  I use three blocks attached to the tube to screw the
mirror holder to the tube so I then drill and screw in the three
blocks and finish up collimation of the scope.  Verify that the
EP hasn't moved by doing a final focus with the focuser.  Lock
down one of the three mirror adjustment screws so that you don't
want to use it to adjust the tilt of the primary and you are
done.  Focus never changes unless you want it to as there is a
reference point on the one tilt screw of the primary and thus you
always maintain the correct location for the primary.  Using an
object a mile away means that the true focus for the scope will
be somewhat closer than what you just did due to the focal point
equation.
I haven't missed a one yet doing it this way!
Bob May
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