Have i ruined my scope for long term use?

[Esseth]

Ok so ill set the scene.

I bought a laser collimnator jiggy so i could align everything before i take the scope away this weekend coming. So the laser was on and i had my allen key/screwdriver thing and the tip fell off (it must have become unmagnetised or something) and fell down onto the mirror and down the side.

It has left a tiny little dot on the mirror that i can only assume is a chip, now i just had it out and checked out the moon while it was still light and there was no noticable difference but what effect might this have on future viewing for DSO's and whatnot.

I am not so naive to assume nothing.

Further it was so annoying becasue i have been so careful around it, moving gently and always having the covers on and whatnot... well thats my story... FML lol

[supernova1965]

Well this is the mirror in my scope which I purchased cheap and I tell you I can see the Ring nebular really well from a light polluted area great views of the great nebular in Orion wonderful views of Saturn,Mars and Jupiter. I will get it fixed when I can afford it but for now I find it just great. I am thinking that I shouldn't clean it as I might remove more coating. And my pictures of the Moon in the Compendium were taken with this scope

[mental4astro]

If viewing the moon has not showed up any additional ghost reflections or wierd shadows, then no problem. Don't forget, the biggest 'defect' in a reflector is the secondary obstruction.

Maybe, just maybe something may show up with astrophotography. If it was fatal, I'm sure you would have seen something by now.

[DavidU]

Nothing to worry about at all Alan.

[Hagar]

Nothing to worry about Alan. Even marks ten times the size you describe dont render a mirror useless. Just makes us that do it feel useless. Dont worry to much.

[pgc hunter]

You've nothing to worry about....think about how much surface area that chip takes up, compared to the central obstruction ;)

[Esseth]

Ok thanks guys, i can relax now while i wait for mars and saturn to pop there heads up :D

Gotta love this site lol

[DavidU]

Alan, never work on a Dob when it is vertical.

[barx1963]

And if using a screwdriver with interchangeable times tape it up first. I also have a little thing I tie to my wrist and attched to the screwdriver just in case i have brain fade and decide to adjust something with it pointing up!

[Esseth]

Duh, why didn't i think of that lol...

Thanks for the advice.

[el_draco]

There was case in the States many years ago when an employee of a significant observatory got fired and took revenge by unloading a magazine from a magnum into the primary mirror. Did not seriously affect the telescope. Screw driver... nah... Warren, I'm impressed man!!

[mental4astro]

Case of the wrong tool for the job!

Ford No. 1 Tool better choice (ie, hammer), :rolleyes:.

[shane.mcneil]

I was working on mine with the tube horizontal thinking all was safe. Until my 2yr old ran up and rolled a golf ball down it onto the mirror. Never can win...

Shane

[Screwdriverone]

Uhhh, Warren, I think someone replaced your mirror with a HUBCAP!

;)

Chris

[southerncross]

Huh? I thought that was a photo from a sewer cam?

[supernova1965]

I was wondering why it was so cheap:doh:. Well I am the proud owner of a HUBCAP in a SEWER that can see the Ring Nebula I suppose that would be right in a SEWER:rofl:

[Lumen Miner]

That mirror is awesome mate!! Kudos to you for still using it. :) From your description it sounds like it preforms well. You going to get it re-coated at any stage?

[supernova1965]

Yes I will Mitchell I will get it re-coated I just have to find out how much it will cost and come up with the money any advise on whom I might get to do the job and how much money I am looking at would be appreciated:thanx:

[DavidU]

Chi Qin Co.

Address: 10 Clissold Pde, Campsie, NSW, 2194
Phone number: (02) 97891047

[supernova1965]

Thanks for that will look into it once finances get in to a better place just had to spend over $1000 on the car but you can't get to the dark sites if you don't have a car.:thumbsup: