Celestron Telescope
Mirror Cleaning Instructions
Clean optics are essential for high-quality viewing. However, cleaning should only be done when necessary and must be properly performed in order to avoid damaging the telescope. The Celestron website has some guidelines for cleaning and maintaining its line of telescopes.
When to Clean
Celestron does not recommend routine cleaning, which can damage the coating of the mirrors and other optics in the telescope. If the coatings are damaged, the quality of the images viewed through the telescope will deteriorate. Celestron suggests that even visible specks of dust (in small amounts) do not warrant a full cleaning effort. Save cleaning for problems that affect the performance of the telescope.
Clean
Start with the simplest and least invasive cleaning and progress to more stringent measures. Celestron suggests using compressed air first. Canned compressed air can be used, but the first burst of air should be vented away from the optics, as it may contain foreign materials. Air compressed by an air compressor should be filtered before it is applied to lenses or mirrors.
Smudges or dirt remaining after the application of compressed air can be cleaned with a cleaning solution. Celestron recommends a solution of 50 to 70 percent alcohol and distilled water. Higher percentages of alcohol may dissolve the glues used within the telescope and damage its operation. Lower percentages of alcohol will not evaporate quickly and may also cause problems. Soap can be added to the alcohol water mixture in small quantities. Add one or two drops of clear dish soap per quart to increase the mixtures ability to remove dirt and oils. However, if you use too much soap, or if you use soaps that contain additives for coloring, may leave deposits on the lenses or mirrors.
Apply the alcohol mixture to larger optical pieces with soft tissue or cloth or a cotton ball. Smaller parts can be cleaned with cotton swabs. Repeat the cleaning as necessary.
Cleaning Limitations
Celestron recommends that telescope owners only attempt minor cleaning tasks, such as removing smudges from eyelashes or fingerprints. Serious cleaning tasks, such as removing oil, grease or lens fungus from the lenses or mirrors, should only be done by Celestron service personnel.
Removal of the optics or disassembly of the telescope can void the warranty.
Tags: lenses mirrors, Celestron recommends, Celestron suggests, Celestron Telescope, Celestron Telescope Mirror