![]() If it doesn’t, then it’s time to do some collimation on your telescope. If the rings are symmetrical around the disc, you’re good to go and the telescope is properly collimated. Further details on how to perform collimation for your telescope are usually mentioned in the manual that comes with your purchase. The specific types of telescopes that will require collimation are Newtonian reflectors, Dobsonian reflectors, Maksutov Cassegrain, and Schmidt Cassegrain. However, catadioptric telescopes tend to require less collimation. The alignment frequency depends on the type of telescope ( find out more about types of telescope here) that you have and how often they have moved around. NEVER drop the alcohol solution directly onto your lens since any excess might seep down into your telescope.Ĭollimation is an alignment process for reflectors and catadioptric telescopes. Apply a few drops of alcohol solution to your cleaning pad of choice and start rubbing gently. To remove smudges from your telescope lens, it is advisable to use alcohol solutions such as methanol or isopropyl. ![]() However, a few things to remember when using compressed air is to never shake the can before using it and always vent the first spray away in an open space to remove any particles clogging the nozzle. This removes the possibility of scratching your lens while cleaning. If using a brush doesn’t fancy you, another alternative is to use compressed air/gas to blow off the dust. Wear gloves when handling the cleaning equipment, and always store them away after use. When brushing the lens of your telescope, always remember to brush lightly and that there is always a chance for the brush to scrape the surface of the lens. You can use a camel’s hair brush or other soft lens brush to clean dust from your telescope. While it may be easy to just grab a brush and start dusting your telescope, that recklessness may cost you the performance of your telescope in the long run. Before you start taking apart your telescope and brushing away those specks of dust, there are some things that you should know when cleaning or maintaining your telescope.Ĭogdell, Celestron’s product manager of astronomy once said “when you see dust on the lens, you might be inclined to clean it, but every time you do that, you might scratch the coating”. Depending on the type of telescope you’re using, their mirrors may require some realignment as well. A telescope often operates outside where it will eventually pick up some dust. It is your window to the universe and because of this, it deserves proper maintenance and care. Solar Observations and a How-To guide on making a solar filterīuying a telescope is a major step when venturing into astronomy. Note: This is a revised version of an article that originally appeared in NightSky magazine.Looking for a Beginner's Telescope? Let us help You!Īccessorise, Accesorise (with eyepieces and filters) Thanks to Amazon’s associates program, doing so costs you nothing yet helps keep this site up and running. Put the mirror back in the scope the same way it came out, and you’re done!ĭid you find this article interesting or helpful? If so, consider using this link the next time you shop at. Since the doughnut hides in the shadow of the secondary mirror, it doesn’t affect the view. Once the doughnut is in the right place, push down on it with the eraser end of a pencil to stick it down permanently. Position a notebook-paper reinforcement ring (available at any stationary store) so that it’s concentric with your centre mark. This step is necessary because seeing a tiny dot while looking in your scope’s focuser is very difficult - especially in the dark. Using a fine-tip permanent marker, make a mark on the mirror’s centre. Gently lay the paper circle onto the face of the primary mirror so that its edge aligns with that of the mirror. Alternatively, you could measure the diameter of your mirror and use a compass (set to ½ the mirror’s diameter) to draw a circle on a blank piece of paper - the pinprick of the compass point defines the centre of the circle. Make a hole there, about 1/10-inch across. Cut out the circle, then carefully fold it into quarters to find its exact centre. ![]() To do this, carefully place the mirror shiny side down on a clean sheet of paper and trace its outline with a pencil. Sometimes the cell fits into the tube rather snugly, so use care. Before removing these, stick a small strip of masking tape to the mirror cell and tube to index it so that you can put it back together the same way. Your telescope’s main mirror is housed in a cell that normally attaches to the tube with a few small screws.
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