How often to clean?

[caleb]

I havn't been into astronomy for long and my telscope has just began to start colecting dust on the lenses.

The dust is on the diagonal mirror and on the main lens, Apeature I think and there are a few water droplet marks or due.

What are the best ways to clean it and are little bits of dust not affecting my view and by cleaning it just make it worse?

[edwardsdj]

Hi Caleb,

I'd be reluctant to clean dust unless it was causing problems. Dust can often be removed with a fine brush or a tissue without applying any pressure.

Finger prints should be cleaned off immediately as the oil in the skin on your fingers can degrade optical coatings. Try hard not to get fingerprints on optical surfaces!

Have fun,
Doug

[leon]

(How often to clean,) physically touching surfaces with any type of brush lens cloth, etc...only when necessary, air blower....as often as you like.

Leon

[edwardsdj]

Just be aware that there are propellants in compressed air aerosol cans. I'm concerned about the effect these could have on optics.