How does one get rid (safely) of that annoying dust which causes dark spots on images. I know how to remove them with the banaid tool in PS7 but I want to clear my CCD
Trevor
Recently, I went through all this heartache with my DMK21. In the end I seem to have got a solution that works well.
I got a small bottle of "Optik Cleaner" from my local astro store, for cleaning lenses and ccds. With it, came a small cleaning cloth, the type you would expect to clean a pair of glasses.
I then use a cotton bud (the ones people use to clean their ears). I wrap or pull the cleaning cloth over one end of the cotton bud, and put two sprays of the cleaning fluid on it. Then do two wipes in the same direction across the CCD.
Before I do this, I take a few flat frames with a white tshirt across the scope. After I have done a clean, I take another flat and compare. Sometimes, I get it right the first time. Sometimes I have to do another clean. I haven't had to do it more than twice so far.
This is all relatively easy with the dmk because the opening is quite large (relatively speaking) so the ccd is easy to get at.
At chemists, I found the rubber bubble (I believe they are used for enema :-) ) white thing, 5-6cm dia, with 6cm long nozzle.
It is great for gently blowing air over sensor, and I think it costs $5
Bojan I've heard using one of these hand blowers which I have by the way can cause more dust than solve the problem and I tend to think they may be right as when I've used it on my EP's all it seems to do is move the dust around.
Trust me ...once you've used an Arctic Butterfly you will never want to use anything else. If you can't trust me....then surely you would trust.....h0ughy