New scope but dust....

[notaclue]

Got some dust spots on the primary mirror as my brother just bought it. So the thing is how do I get them off without scratching/ruining the primary mirror?

I am thinking the hoover with that cleaning head with the bristles on but it might scratch the mirror so any help to get them off without doing that will be helpful.

[markswift]

Don't EVER put one of those attachments near the mirror, it will ruin it! My suggestion, at most would be to use a camera blower to CAREFULLY blow dust off the mirror (without touching it!). That said, if it's a Newtonian, those specs will have little if no detrimental effect on the telescopes performance.

[MorningMajor]

I am thinking the hoover with that cleaning head with the bristles

Nooooooo! Don't! That will certainly do more damage than good.

I'd leave them, small dust spots really don't affect your seeing so best left well alone. If you really want to clean the mirrors there are a few decent tutorials available on You Tube etc but be careful!

[VigdisVZ]

Yeah a mirror has to be very dirty to impact performance to a measurable degree. Leave the spots until the mirror is well dusty and dirty in a few years and clean it properly using proper cleaning procedures then.

[cotterless45]

Your mirror has got be really dirty to effect viewing. I once looked down a 6" Newt and saw a mass of old cobwebs .

Washing your mirror should be the very last thing to think of,

Nick.

[foundaplanet]

You could clean it, correctly I will add, but before you know it it will be looking pretty much the same.

Until they look like they have been left in an empty country house for a few years don't bother.

[SnakeyJ]

I'll second the very good advice above - definitely not the hoover attachment

[Tim]

I am thinking the hoover with that cleaning head with the bristles on............................

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!

[Marc1980]

+1 for leaving it. It has to get pretty manky before it effects viewing.

Regards

Sent from my galaxy s3 using tapatalk 2

[notaclue]

Thanks for the advice.

The hoover thing had to be said. You never know if a beginner has that idea and goes with it.

[Naemeth]

Just leave it alone, mine is caked in dust but it's not effecting the views at all. I've had some of my best views yet recently!

[Astro_Baby]

And theres another reason why I dont buy second hand astro gear .............

[paul schofield]

Put down that hoover and back away from the scope, don't risk damaging your mirror. As said above the dust will have no effect on your viewing. Obviously if the mirror is caked in dust and unusable steps can be taken, which I cant really advise on, but a hoover is not the way to go.

[Naemeth]

When I say caked... it's actually not that bad .

[SnakeyJ]

When I say caked... it's actually not that bad .

Can we have a picture to pass judgement on

[Naemeth]

They aren't great pics, but should give an idea.