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Old 02-07-2017, 01:49 PM
Wavytone
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Wavytone is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Killara, Sydney
Posts: 4,147
Brendan,

Telescope optics are best left alone. Despite the best intentions, more you fiddle or "clean" the more likely you are to do some damage starting with sleeks or fine scratches or possibly damaging the coatings, or getting a trace of solvent inside and unable to get it out without total dismantling.

If you are a bit OCD then think of it as "don't touch !".

If you defocus a star and don't see anything obvious in that patch of light, don't touch the optics. Only if you see obvious blobs would I suggest cleaning.

The other thing is to keep it stored in clean air - ideally a garage - not indoors. The reason is that household air is loaded with fine grease that over several years slowly contaminates the exterior and even the interior. Similar to the grey film that accumulates on the inside of windows.
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