How does a Bahtinov focusing mask work? When in place, the Bahtinov mask works by forming a diffraction pattern of spikes of light around a star or point light source, which is easily visible in your eyepiece or DSLR/CCD camera in live view mode. (See the thumbnail image above, or click on this Bahtinov Mask diffraction pattern example). When the pattern becomes perfectly symmetrical, the telescope is perfectly in focus. Focusing is quick, easy and it saves you time hunting back and forth to find the optimum focus, whilst trying to judge the size of a tiny point source of light. A Bahtinov mask useful for a quick focusing re-check if the temperature changes during your imaging session. The difference in focuser position is only a few tenths of a millimetre, however the diffraction lines shift considerably. This sensitivity means less time hunting for best focus. There's no more need to guess when you are focused. Simply put the mask, and the status of your focus will become immediately obvious.