Does a mirror need to be very clean to work well?

[geppetto]

Well, preferably but at a suggestion from Gordon, I have posted

a picture of the mirror in the QDD, which is desperate for a re coating,

next to an image of the moon taken with this very mirror.

Thing is, look after your mirrors but don't get paranoid over a bit of dust.

[GordonCopestake]

I would guess that the obstruction to that mirror from the "dust" is less than 10% and probably closer to 5%, great stuff Phil!!

Can't wait for the images after it's been resilvered!

On a related note, check out Galvoptics for resilvering. Orion Optics do it too, but are more expensive.

[FLO]

Well said Phil

[geppetto]

Gordon

It's actualy much worse than it looks in that image

Had a look at Galvoptics site a while back and will probably send it

to them. Going to make a ply transport box for it.

The secondary has a bit chipped out of one edge and again very poor coating

so I think it best to replace that (63mm eliptical flat if anybody wants to sell a secondhand one)

Keeping an eye on Astro buy sell.

[GordonCopestake]

Orion Optics can sell you a 63mm flat for £65, but a secondhand one is obviously cheaper if you can find one

[GazOC]

I'd just like to point out the mirror (well the whole Dob) was bought on the cheap by me as a project.....I'm not responsibe for it's current conditition.

SCS also sell flats as well Phil.....

[geppetto]

I'm not responsible for it's current condition

No your certainly not Gaz..

Actually, I expected it to be worse than it is from your description

still, it works and I'm very grateful mate