Cleaning Stuff

[Greenswale (Wren)]

As part of my research towards purchase of a telescope, cleaning of mirrors and lenses and stuff is something that I need to know about. Reason is that I travel in Australia's extraordinary outback, and dust is always an issue.

So, how does one clean stuff when in isolated areas?

[astro_nutt]

Hi Greenswale..
The cleaning of telescope optics is done only when your image has been affected..ie when the object is incomplete or contrast very bad...other than that..leave them..the amount of dust that can accumulate on a primary mirror's over a period of one year is less than the area of the centremark ring!..about the size of a pinhead!
So..if it looks dusty..leave it for a year!
There are several place in this forum for advice on mirror cleaning should you have to.
As for eyepieces..the same applies...because the special coatings can scratch very easily...you can use canned air or hand-puffer to remove the dust..fingermaks can be cleaned with the tip of a rolled up tissue dipped in Isoproyl alcohol and using the weight of the tissue only move it side-to-side across the eyepiece...a "lenspens" can also be used...then finish of with air!
To minimize the problem accociated with dust..keep your scope covered when not in use...after a viewing session store the scope with the objective..whether it be a mirror or lens..verticle so that any dust present will not settle on it.
Keep your eyepieces lying flat and covered..ready for use...and it pays to give your eyelashes a wipe with a tissue to remove any excess oils.
Cheers!

[saturn c (Leo)]

hi there!

Take good care of your equipment , meaning when ur noting using it place all dust covers back on immediatley. never place eyepices in your pocket when ur changing them around .