Comprehensive Guide on Maintaining Telescope Optics: Lenses, Mirrors, and Filters
Ready to learn how to clean your telescope lenses like a pro? Here's a straight-forward guide that'll help you avoid scratches and keep your gear in tip-top shape.
First off, remember this: the day your telescope arrives is the only day it'll look brand new. Most of the time, dust isn't a concern, but it can be if it builds up, so let's not touch things unnecessarily - ordinary dust has abrasive grit particles that can scratch your lenses and mirrors.
Generally speaking, I only clean my telescope mirrors, lenses, and eyepieces when there's potentially damaging residue or when the optic is absolutely filthy from dust and dirt.
Now, let's break it down:
Telescope Optics
If the objective lens or front corrector plate is obviously smudged with fingerprints or has stuff like pollen or dew residue, I clean it right away. Chemicals and oils found in these substances can harm the optical coatings or even etch the glass itself.
Eyepieces
Eyepieces gather dew, dirt, pollen, and eyelash oil pretty easily. I clean them at least a few times a year to keep them clear.
Filters & Barlow Lens
These generally don't need cleaning unless something damaging has accumulated.
When it comes to lens removal, I only take lenses out if it's hard to reach them or if it's an Schmidt-Cassegrain corrector plate. Most of the time, sticking to professionals is the best bet - it's easy to contaminate things between lenses or put them back together incorrectly.
To clean the lenses, I use a bulb blower for lightly dusty surfaces, but I opt for a liquid solvent solution for fingerprints, pollen, or other residues. Pre-moistened Zeiss wipes are my go-to, as they're trustworthy and leave minimal risk of leaving a film or lint. For smaller lenses that are harder to reach, I use a Q-tip with lens cleaner solution or a LensPen.
When it comes to cleaning expensive or delicate telescopes, some suggest using First Contact polymer. It sticks to your lens or mirror and peels off, taking contaminants with it. However, it can be costly, setting you back over $100 USD for a few cleanings.
So, there you have it! With these simple cleaning tips, you can maintain your telescope's performance and ensure it'll last for many nights of stargazing. Just remember to handle things carefully to avoid any damage.
Sources:
- Cleaning Optics Carefully
- Telescope Lens Cleaning for Beginners
- Best Tips for Telescope Cleaning
- Easy Telescope Lens Cleaning
- Comprehensive Guide to Telescope Optics Cleaning
- To clean smudged objective lenses or front corrector plates, it's best to act immediately as chemicals and oils from substances like fingerprints, pollen, or dew residue can harm the optical coatings or etch the glass.
- Eyepieces are prone to collecting dew, dirt, pollen, and eyelash oil, and should be cleaned at least a few times a year to keep them clear.
- Filters and Barlow Lens typically don't require cleaning unless something damaging has accumulated.
- When cleaning delicate or expensive telescopes, some suggest using First Contact polymer, a substance that sticks to the lens or mirror and peels off, taking contaminants with it. However, it can be costly, often exceeding $100 USD for a few cleanings.
