I need to clean the main mirror on my reflector telescope but, I'm not sure how to do it with out removing or risking damaging it. Any help is appreciated. Thank You

You might want to try this linked video tutorial:

How to Clean your Telescope Mirror

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I don't have any telescope, I look the sky with my poor eyes. But for those who
have one, it is a very practical link, to show how to clean telescope Mirrors.

A friend

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" All The Universe sings the Praises Of Your Lord, but you do not understand its singing(song) ".

to do the job fully you will need to take the mirror out the bottom, it usually has 4 or 6 etc screws/bolts in the frame holding the mirror in place around the circumference.

I use a weak solution of alcohol based glass cleaner.

I would recommend against using your hand, your body has acidic coating on the skin. use a womans makeup brush to gently wash the surface.

After putting the mirror back into the scope you will have to realign "collimate" the mirror, this is done by slowly turning the three big screw ends/knobs poking out the bottom of the mirror mount. Have a browse on the web and look up how to do this the easy way.


cheers

removing the mirror is a really bad idea. the mirror has been set in position for proper reflection onto the occular mirror. returning the screws/mirror to the exact same settings is pretty daunting(voice of experience) I'd think a bit of canned air or lens paper gently wiped on the lens would suffice. I assume you kept the appeture covered when not in use so the worst you'd have is a bit of dust.

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Diogenes Of Sinope

I have been told of this technique before and would prefer use it, but am stumped as to how to remove the dust from the telescopes tube altogether.

face the appeture down. spray canned air into the opeing without expelling the liquid. the dust will settle down. repeat until you are dust free.

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In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

face the appeture down. spray canned air into the opeing without expelling the liquid. the dust will settle down. repeat until you are dust free.

Errr... For cleaning any optics, are not "spray cans" "not recommended" because of the danger of expelling the spray can liquid and so staining the very thing you're trying to clean...?

Similarly so, don't try blowing it clean with your own breath due to the danger of blowing dust and spittle onto the optics.

Try using a camera lens cleaning blower or whatever filtered air or compressed inert gas supply. (With the telescope aperture face downwards so that the dust falls away.)


There must be lots of advice for this on the web and on telescope sites.

Hope that helps.

Good luck,
Martin

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