Telescope Alignment

Precision collimation to diffraction limits — by scope type. Every alignment star-test verified before return.

Why It Matters

Most scopes are never collimated correctly

Optical misalignment is the most common — and most underdiagnosed — performance problem in amateur telescopes. A poorly collimated scope loses contrast, distorts star tests, and wastes the aperture you paid for. The fix is precise, measurable, and permanent with the right process.

Mail-in alignment available →

By Scope Type

Collimation for every optical design

01
Newtonian Reflectors
Primary and secondary mirror alignment using a Cheshire eyepiece and star test. We check for pinched mirror cells, focuser tilt, and secondary offset — all three are required for a true diffraction-limited star test.
Book Newtonian Service →
02
Dobsonian Telescopes
Same optical alignment as Newtonians, plus rocker box and altitude bearing inspection. Large Dobsonians (10”+) receive a full truss pole check to ensure the mirror box and upper cage are truly square.
Book Dobsonian Service →
03
Schmidt-Cassegrains (SCTs)
Corrector plate centration, secondary mirror tilt adjustment, and star-test verification. SCT collimation is sensitive to temperature — we test at thermal equilibrium and document the final bolt positions for field re-collimation.
Book SCT Service →
04
Refractors
Objective cell centration and tilt correction. Refractors rarely need adjustment, but when they do it’s usually a dropped cell. We inspect the objective, clean optics, and verify the drawtube is square to the optical axis.
Book Refractor Service →
05
Maksutov-Cassegrains
Meniscus lens centration and secondary spot alignment. Maksutovs are often considered “collimation-free” — but the secondary spot and meniscus can drift over time. We perform a full star test before and after adjustment.
Book Maksutov Service →
?
Don’t know your scope type?
Start with a Telescope Analysis. 30 minutes gives you a complete optical assessment, collimation status, and a clear action plan — no obligation.
Book a Telescope Analysis →
How It Works

The alignment process

1
Initial inspection
Visual and mechanical inspection before any adjustment — we document the starting condition so you see exactly what changed.
2
Rough collimation
Laser or Cheshire alignment to bring the optics into the collimation envelope before fine adjustment. This step removes gross errors that would otherwise dominate the star test.
3
Live star test
Star test on a bright star at high magnification (300–400× on 8”+). The diffraction pattern reveals residual tilt, astigmatism, turned edge, and thermal effects that no bench tool can detect.
4
Fine adjustment & verification
Iterative adjustments at the eyepiece until the diffraction rings are concentric and symmetrical on both sides of focus. We document the final bolt positions and deliver a written star-test report.
Can’t bring it in? Mail it.
Packages from $99 + S&H. Prepaid inbound FedEx label included.
See Mail-In Packages
Workshop guide

How professional collimation is verified

See how we separate mechanical registration, coarse axial alignment, structural movement, thermal effects, and the final centered-star test.

Read the collimation guide