A bit of telescopic maintenance today..

[iceman (Mike)]

Finally found some time to do a bit of "telescopic maintenance" today as I called it when telling my wife on my 12" newt.

Cleaned both the primary and secondary mirrors, after they had both been dewed up on many occasions and had a nice hazy dirty layer on them.

Also cut about a 3x3" trap-door in the tube down near the mirror, for 2 purposes.. for being able to blow a fan across the face of the mirror to see if it can disrupt tube-currents, and also to be able to point my hair-dryer in there to de-fog the mirror when it gets dewed/fogged up from pointing straight up at Jupiter.

Skies are clear tonight so will hopefully get a chance to test them both.. looks like a dewey night ahead.

[sheeny (Al)]

I must force myself out in the cold tonight too. It was reasonably clear last time I looked, but it's very cold and I'm feeling shattered from working all day. What sort of fool has astronomy as a hobby and wears himself out during the day?

Originally Posted by iceman

looks like a dewey night ahead.

Where's Ving when you need him?

Al.

[edwardsdj (Doug)]

Hey Mike,

I've been getting into the hair dryer on my corrector plate for the last few sessions. Works like a treat. It does take a few minutes for the image to settle back down again though.

That hatch idea sounds great for solid tube Newtonians.

Have fun,
Doug

[iceman (Mike)]

Wow the image is soooo much brighter after washing the mirrors.. I can't believe I put it off for so long!

I've now got a full histogram at 30fps in green channel and have to actually reduce the gain to get it to the right level. Red and Blue still need 100% gain but this is how I remember it from last year.

Haven't needed the trap-door tonight yet but as the scope starts pointing straight up it's gonna be very useful!

PS: Seeing is good!

[edwardsdj (Doug)]

Is there a link to the technique you used for mirror cleaning Mike?

[iceman (Mike)]

Sure is Doug:

Cleaning the Mirrors of a Newtonian Telescope

[edwardsdj (Doug)]

Thanks Mike. I had read your article before but had forgotten.

[proudy]

I cleaned the 12" lightbridge mirror using Mikes instructions and it worked a dream. The viewing has brightened considerably.

I couldn't get the mirror out by lifting with my fingers so I poked one side up from underneath and used some aluminium right angle to support it, then did the same on the other side. Once up, then nudged the mirror one inch to the side to allow me to grab it and put it in the tub.

[erick (Eric)]

Mike, pics of your trap door and description of how you did it, when you get a chance, please. Ta Eric

[iceman (Mike)]

No worries Eric. Will do when I get a chance.

proudy, check out this article for a good idea on how to get the mirror out more easily.