Telescope Collimation Lab

Log star-test rings, normalize optical centering error, project three-adjuster micro-moves, and audit every telescope collimation session offline.

Telescope Collimation Lab is a paid, local-first optical alignment notebook for Newtonian, Schmidt-Cassegrain, Ritchey-Chrétien, and refractor-cell telescope owners.

Record defocused star-test rounds using horizontal and vertical ring offsets, reference radius, seeing, magnification, focus-side notes, aperture, focal length, and adjuster geometry. The app calculates normalized centering error, offset bearing, focal ratio, Airy scale, and improvement from the first to latest round.

The Adjust workspace projects the latest error vector onto a three-point adjuster layout and expresses relative tighten or loosen micro-moves. It is deliberately a documentation and planning aid: the interface reminds users to follow the telescope maker’s push-pull sequence, make tiny changes, and re-center the star after every move.

Rounds provides a visual error trend and complete iteration history. Audit checks the reference ring, seeing record, high-power verification, improving trend, and final tolerance. Export a complete session as JSON or its rounds as CSV. Save multiple telescopes locally and duplicate a complete session as a revision.

No login is required. The app has no subscription, in-app purchases, ads, analytics, tracking, camera or photo access, cloud sync, AI processing, or developer-operated backend. Collimation guidance is relative; always follow the telescope manufacturer’s instructions and never force an adjuster.