Should I clean my telescope?

[Stian]

Hi,

I have noticed some marks on my corrector plate. Question is if this affects the quality of my views / images. Should it be cleaned or left as it is?

 

 

[Alan64]

Hello Stian,

It doesn't look too bad.  I don't think that what I see would affect observing or imaging in any way; not at present.  Otherwise... http://sctscopes.net/SCT_Tips/Maintenance/Cleaning_Your_Optics/cleaning_your_optics.html

Do you have a dew-shield for your Celestron 6SE?  If not, such would help to prevent further staining...

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p8472_TS-flexible-Dew-Shield-for-tubes-from-D-180-mm-to-220-mm--like-many-6--telescopes.html

Cheers,

Alan

[LukeSkywatcher]

Some strange looking marks there but it looks fine to me. You could always give it a wipe with Wonder fluid.

[DevonSkies]

That looks like simple dew spotting.  Best left well alone if you ask me! It won't affect the view in the slightest. 

[Stian]

Thanks all for the quick replies. No dew shield yet, but will purchase one in the near future.

 

 

[laudropb]

Nothing to worry about. Just leave it for now.

[Alan64]

This one is specific to your 6SE... http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5725_Astrozap-Flexible-Dew-Shield-D-184-mm-for-Celestron-NexStar-6SE.html

There are also heating-strip systems available, if the dew and frost on the corrector-plate prove to be a real problem.

A dew-shield for a Schmidt or Maksutov-Cassegrain is not an option but a necessity for astronomical use; not so much during the day when used as a spotting scope for terrestrial observations.  Refractors always come equipped with one...

 

One of if not the strongest selling point of the corrected-Cassegrains is the short optical tube, therefore the manufacturers are not about to include an extension of any sort.

[todd8137]

On 14 February 2016 at 16:16, LukeSkywatcher said:

Some strange looking marks there but it looks fine to me. You could always give it a wipe with Wonder fluid.

Please. Do not use this wonder fluid on any telescope !

[LukeSkywatcher]

On 16/02/2016 at 11:05, todd8137 said:

Please. Do not use this wonder fluid on any telescope !

Care to explain why not?. Its designed for cleaning glass lens'. It should not be used on coated mirror surfaces. Ive used it for yrs and so have many scope owners. I clean all my glass surfaces with it including my specs.

[Fozzie]

Here's a few links about cleaning a refractor based scope... Not entirely sure a corrector plate or meniscus would provide "alternate challenges" so to speak but if you feel the need to clean your scope theres a good chance the process would be very similar..

http://scopeviews.co.uk/HowToCleanLens.htm

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/100516-cleaning-a-refractor-lens/

Wonder fluid is definitely  a no no on reflector mirrors

Ta

Fozzie

[todd8137]

1 hour ago, LukeSkywatcher said:

Care to explain why not?. Its designed for cleaning glass lens'. It should not be used on coated mirror surfaces. Ive used it for yrs and so have many scope owners. I clean all my glass surfaces with it including my specs.

I tried this wonder fluid on the front of my 9.25 in a small spot it left a worse mark than the speck I was moving coatings are,delicate use if you wish I would never use ( works great on my 54" Sony tv tho)

would you put this stuff on a 200 pound ep ? I would not 

[LukeSkywatcher]

28 minutes ago, todd8137 said:

I tried this wonder fluid on the front of my 9.25 in a small spot it left a worse mark than the speck I was moving coatings are,delicate use if you wish I would never use ( works great on my 54" Sony tv tho)

would you put this stuff on a 200 pound ep ? I would not 

Ive used it on my Hyperion zoom EP which cost me the guts of 200 euros........no ill effects. Shops wouldnt sell it if it didnt work wonders (excuse the pun). Coatings on glass lens (i dont mean silvered mirrors) are not too delicate. On the advice of very seasoned astronomers here, i have even used the stuff on solar filters which i use with my hershel wedge. If it wasnt any use or was unsafe......i dont think anyone here would say it was perfectly fine to use.

But each to their own. I'd never use it on my 46" Sony tv (size doesnt matter.........thats why im upgrading to 60")