A really informative video, thanks. I suggest instead of pouring the distilled water over the mirror. Instead, fill a house plant misting bottle with the distilled water. The fine spray will cover the mirror better. You'll also use a whole lot less distilled water and still get rid of any soap and mineral residue.
You all probably dont give a shit but does any of you know a trick to get back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid lost the login password. I would appreciate any help you can give me.
@Ares Bowie I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im trying it out now. Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
Thank u! I used the oil from my forehead and my lucky football shirt to clean off the mirror. Fortunately it was my brother's. Il use this method for my own
Back in the day, telescope mirrors used to be silvered, (and constantly re-silvered) but now I suppose they are all deposited with aluminium. Do you know if the manufacturers coat them with aything else, as they do with lenses? Also, photographers tend to recommend isopropyl alcohol (the stuff on injection swabs) for cleaning coated lenses, and I'm wondering if you've done any sort of experimenting with that.
Use a sharpie on end of piece of string / wire.3 marks at 120 degrees. Mark off the intersection point of 3 interrescting lines. where the sharpies meet = the exact, geometric dead centre. No template required.
Not sure I understand what you are saying. The perpendicular bisectors of any two cords intersect at the center of a circle, if you care to do a compass and straightedge construction. If the cords are the sides of an inscribed square the construction has the least sensitivity to errors. Personally, I thought the idea of printing on acetate was wizard, assuming your printer can handle it.
Hi, I am from India , recently i have bought Orion xt8 Classic Dobsonian. Couple of days back while using telescope , my 25 mm plossl eyepiece botton metal part accidentally hit primary mirror and small black coat inside of metal part of eyepiece stick to primary mirror. By 25mm eyepiece while watching moon , it look good. But using barlow 2X n 25mm eyepiece to see Jupiter on full zoom , not sure but i think that black coat scratch on primary mirror is shown in eyepiece. Please let me know, What to do: Does it really effect on light gathering. Do i need to clean it , if yes please tell me simple way, as i am first time user. Or it wouldn't effect the view.
Have rinsed my primary in distilled, q-tip to remove clods. Center dot not changed. Needs another cleaning. We've had continuous cloud cover for February. Detroit. Uhg. The dollar (pound) store has round circles, to reinforce holes in 3 ring notebook paper. The manufacturer seems to have used one. Don't have a 3rd hand. Might use a new pencil in the mouth, eraser to the template. It's better than the forehead or nose. Thought you'd clean it, then replace the center dot only if needed.
Here's an actual reason to use your Corona virus mask; to keep your spit and dust off your mirror. :) You might even wear a shower cap to keep your hair to yourself. BTW- the clock ticking was making me nervous, but I know how difficult it is to stop and start a pendulum clock. The mirror on my home-made Dobsonian didn't have a centre spot, so I appreciate this video. Cheers.
Generally just a sticker, but some use different adhesives so it can be easy or hard to remove, generally the ones that come as standard on scopes are easily removed, the third party ones tend to be a lot harder.
Hi! My 8" dobsonian's primary mirror is cloudy. I'm experienced in telescope mirrors cleaning and I had cleaned mine, but this is something I don't know (cloudyness didn't come off after cleaning). What is that, how do I clean it and should I? Thank you!
Dion. I just love your videos. I thought I'd Already watched this one. I'm in the process of flocking my Skywatcher 200 Dobbie and after removing my mirrors I noticed they are quiet dusty so before I pop then back in I thought it wouldn't hurt to give them a clean first. Is the process for cleaning the secondary mirror basically the same? Where did you purchase your distilled water from? I'm a bit loathed to try Halfords after your comment about De-Ironiesed water lol. please keep the videos coming. I've found them to be the best on RUclips for upgrades and previews for Astronomy products. Andy
Farpoint Astro in the US have them, youtube doesn't allow links in video comments but do a google for them and look in the collimation section, also look in my videos for the Farpoint Astro 2" Collimation Kit review as this shows the spots and explains why the shape.
Hello! have question, hope u can help me. Why when I see through my eyepiece I see blur a bit. My telescope is already collimated, what could it be? Grazie
hi on my telescope when i look down the eyepiece i get a shadow of the 2nd mirror (end of barrel) this this due to the center spot been out of line? the telescope i have is a tasco 46-114375 thanks in advance
As yet I'm still waiting to see what could probably be the easiest way to find the centre. Use a record turn table. With a little patience you can centre the mirror in your turntable, use the ridges on the mat or on the platter itself,( obviously you need to raise it a little to clear the spindle) and while it's spinning slowly, you can mark the centre with a dry wipe marker. Any mistakes can be quickly and easily be removed. Once done put your marker on.
They are now aluminised and given a quartz type coating on top of that, you cant clean optical mirrors like lenses as the mirror coatings are far more delicate.
I just bought my son an Orion LE XT8 and saw someone do what you did but instead of fingers cotton balls, I dread having to ever clean either but I am confused which is better to not damage and how often do I have to clean?
No, you shouldn't have ANY grit before using either fingers OR cotton, thats why the flushing first, to clear any grit that would scratch the surface if spread about with fingers or cotton.
I think a lot of people worry too much about their scope lens/mirror not being perfectly clean (like new) anymore. Really, really, really, dust and similar things on your mirror won't make any noticable difference to the viewing. Scratches (even tiny ones you can't see) caused by not carefully-enough cleaning will be FAR worse damage to your mirror/lens and viewing. Many experienced and knowledgeable astronomers have told me this/I've read it again and again.
i would really like pictures that back up this time taking procedure . There are lots of these videos , check it , about everything except looking at stars , comparing stargazing VS talking about gear and playing , its 99 VS 1. Tahts ok , but again, i would like to see that difference . Should be easy , take a picture of the moon .
If the center spot is on that well then no need to take it off to begin with! Keep it on permanently! Cleaning a mirror lens you use gentle cleaners anyway!
The centre spot on mass produced scopes isn't always dead central, also certain collimation tools require a specific size/shape such as the catseye 'hotspot'.
Yes, I know this is a 6 year old comment, but for the education of future generations, you want a circle so the laser bounces back when it's in the middle for the collimation process
NO! Never ever ever try polishing a telescope mirror with ANYTHING! That is a fast way to completely ruin it, the reflective surface on a telescope mirror is not glass like a conventional mirror.
Fingertips are not always soft, if you have real man hands of course. If you have soft women's hands, do it. Sorry, I work too hard with my hands in the construction business and couldn't do this. Also, fingertips have dust, dead skin and obviously grease/oil. Why not use a soft paper towel previously damped.
Informative video. I can now tackle the job of cleaning my mirror. Thanks for taking the time to show us how to carry out this important job!
Thanks, very educational
I purchased a used scope that was exposed to weather. Very important information about not to rub on mirror. Thank you for the valuable information.
A really informative video, thanks. I suggest instead of pouring the distilled water over the mirror. Instead, fill a house plant misting bottle with the distilled water. The fine spray will cover the mirror better. You'll also use a whole lot less distilled water and still get rid of any soap and mineral residue.
You all probably dont give a shit but does any of you know a trick to get back into an Instagram account??
I was stupid lost the login password. I would appreciate any help you can give me.
@Alvaro Chaim instablaster :)
@Ares Bowie I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im trying it out now.
Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
24:26 impact! 😅
Thank u! I used the oil from my forehead and my lucky football shirt to clean off the mirror. Fortunately it was my brother's. Il use this method for my own
I'm really glad you're here making these videos. Thanks!
Thanks for this vid. You made a daunting task very easy. Your vid and delivery gave me the confidence.
My mirror is now clean
Another well presented vioeo Thanks Mike from Scotland
Love ur work on here.very informative and easy to follow.
Keep up the bids
Thanks for the informative video...very clear instructions as to how to go about the cleaning..
Thank you so much! I finally can clean my mirror :)
Good information, if I ever need to clean my mirror. I may have missed it, but why change the center decal?
It's usually a circle or other shape with a hole in the middle to allow such as laser collimators to reflect the beam back from the center.
if I wanted a store/shop to do this for me how much do you think they would charge?
Hi ! Can you tell where to buy the center dot marker ?Thanks
Back in the day, telescope mirrors used to be silvered, (and constantly re-silvered) but now I suppose they are all deposited with aluminium. Do you know if the manufacturers coat them with aything else, as they do with lenses? Also, photographers tend to recommend isopropyl alcohol (the stuff on injection swabs) for cleaning coated lenses, and I'm wondering if you've done any sort of experimenting with that.
Any videos on how to remove and then re-install the primary?
Thanks a lot!
It was for the video but i also wanted that shaped center spot. Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it.
Great job! Where do you get your different shaped center spots? I haven't seen them advertised anywhere here in the U.S.
Use a sharpie on end of piece of string / wire.3 marks at 120 degrees. Mark off the intersection point of 3 interrescting lines. where the sharpies meet = the exact, geometric dead centre.
No template required.
Not sure I understand what you are saying. The perpendicular bisectors of any two cords intersect at the center of a circle, if you care to do a compass and straightedge construction. If the cords are the sides of an inscribed square the construction has the least sensitivity to errors.
Personally, I thought the idea of printing on acetate was wizard, assuming your printer can handle it.
Hi,
I am from India , recently i have bought Orion xt8 Classic Dobsonian.
Couple of days back while using telescope , my 25 mm plossl eyepiece botton metal part accidentally hit primary mirror and small black coat inside of metal part of eyepiece stick to primary mirror.
By 25mm eyepiece while watching moon , it look good.
But using barlow 2X n 25mm eyepiece to see Jupiter on full zoom , not sure but i think that black coat scratch on primary mirror is shown in eyepiece.
Please let me know, What to do:
Does it really effect on light gathering.
Do i need to clean it , if yes please tell me simple way, as i am first time user.
Or it wouldn't effect the view.
Have rinsed my primary in distilled, q-tip to remove clods. Center dot not changed. Needs another cleaning. We've had continuous cloud cover for February. Detroit. Uhg.
The dollar (pound) store has round circles, to reinforce holes in 3 ring notebook paper. The manufacturer seems to have used one.
Don't have a 3rd hand. Might use a new pencil in the mouth, eraser to the template. It's better than the forehead or nose.
Thought you'd clean it, then replace the center dot only if needed.
Here's an actual reason to use your Corona virus mask; to keep your spit and dust off your mirror. :) You might even wear a shower cap to keep your hair to yourself.
BTW- the clock ticking was making me nervous, but I know how difficult it is to stop and start a pendulum clock.
The mirror on my home-made Dobsonian didn't have a centre spot, so I appreciate this video.
Cheers.
Generally just a sticker, but some use different adhesives so it can be easy or hard to remove, generally the ones that come as standard on scopes are easily removed, the third party ones tend to be a lot harder.
Hi! My 8" dobsonian's primary mirror is cloudy. I'm experienced in telescope mirrors cleaning and I had cleaned mine, but this is something I don't know (cloudyness didn't come off after cleaning). What is that, how do I clean it and should I? Thank you!
Dion. I just love your videos. I thought I'd Already watched this one. I'm in the process of flocking my Skywatcher 200 Dobbie and after removing my mirrors I noticed they are quiet dusty so before I pop then back in I thought it wouldn't hurt to give them a clean first. Is the process for cleaning the secondary mirror basically the same? Where did you purchase your distilled water from? I'm a bit loathed to try Halfords after your comment about De-Ironiesed water lol.
please keep the videos coming. I've found them to be the best on RUclips for upgrades and previews for Astronomy products.
Andy
Andy Podmore ebay was where I bought mine from, but yes, same procedure for secondary
Farpoint Astro in the US have them, youtube doesn't allow links in video comments but do a google for them and look in the collimation section, also look in my videos for the Farpoint Astro 2" Collimation Kit review as this shows the spots and explains why the shape.
What material is the centerspot. Just a sticker, or something special that doesn't wash off? Excellent video, subbed.
Hello! have question, hope u can help me. Why when I see through my eyepiece I see blur a bit. My telescope is already collimated, what could it be?
Grazie
hi on my telescope when i look down the eyepiece i get a shadow of the 2nd mirror (end of barrel) this this due to the center spot been out of line? the telescope i have is a tasco 46-114375 thanks in advance
Should one collimate ofter cleaning the telescope ?
As yet I'm still waiting to see what could probably be the easiest way to find the centre. Use a record turn table. With a little patience you can centre the mirror in your turntable, use the ridges on the mat or on the platter itself,( obviously you need to raise it a little to clear the spindle) and while it's spinning slowly, you can mark the centre with a dry wipe marker. Any mistakes can be quickly and easily be removed. Once done put your marker on.
thanks for the informative video!
Very helpful video - ty!
Can I use meths to clean my nexstar mirror? thanks.
I'm pretty sure that sticker would work with the farpoint system... looks like a catseye.
Tip...if you scratch a small X in the center spot (with a razor blade) before you remove the paper marker you will always have a center mark.
They are now aluminised and given a quartz type coating on top of that, you cant clean optical mirrors like lenses as the mirror coatings are far more delicate.
I just bought my son an Orion LE XT8 and saw someone do what you did but instead of fingers cotton balls, I dread having to ever clean either but I am confused which is better to not damage and how often do I have to clean?
No, you shouldn't have ANY grit before using either fingers OR cotton, thats why the flushing first, to clear any grit that would scratch the surface if spread about with fingers or cotton.
Brilliant, Cheers matey where are you from? I'm probably not too far away (Mytholmroyd)
I think a lot of people worry too much about their scope lens/mirror not being perfectly clean (like new) anymore. Really, really, really, dust and similar things on your mirror won't make any noticable difference to the viewing. Scratches (even tiny ones you can't see) caused by not carefully-enough cleaning will be FAR worse damage to your mirror/lens and viewing. Many experienced and knowledgeable astronomers have told me this/I've read it again and again.
thanks for the positive feedback, it's always appreciated, plenty more help & info in the forum on my website at astronomyshed.
Many years ago, that was done with Denatured Alchohol.
i would really like pictures that back up this time taking procedure . There are lots of these videos , check it , about everything except looking at stars , comparing stargazing VS talking about gear and playing , its 99 VS 1. Tahts ok , but again, i would like to see that difference . Should be easy , take a picture of the moon .
Why no center mark after cleaning?
lup starr Why clean and then change centre spot when you may touch the mirror surface by accident?
just wondering.so if i use one of those paper hole reinforce stickers it should stay on just fine though the wash to?
lup starr Should be fine but if you feel happier center spotting after, then go for it.
If the center spot is on that well then no need to take it off to begin with! Keep it on permanently!
Cleaning a mirror lens you use gentle cleaners anyway!
The centre spot on mass produced scopes isn't always dead central, also certain collimation tools require a specific size/shape such as the catseye 'hotspot'.
Why is it a circle on the mirror'? Why not use a dot?
Yes, I know this is a 6 year old comment, but for the education of future generations, you want a circle so the laser bounces back when it's in the middle for the collimation process
That's a 10" from my Skywatcher Quattro 10CF
Hi, I dont recommend any other method except the one demonstrated.
NO! Never ever ever try polishing a telescope mirror with ANYTHING! That is a fast way to completely ruin it, the reflective surface on a telescope mirror is not glass like a conventional mirror.
Use goo gone, it works great.
no sound at all :(
dunno, that's a strange one, but if it isn't affecting views i wouldn't worry
ach just use windolene
Fingertips are not always soft, if you have real man hands of course. If you have soft women's hands, do it. Sorry, I work too hard with my hands in the construction business and couldn't do this. Also, fingertips have dust, dead skin and obviously grease/oil. Why not use a soft paper towel previously damped.
Because it's worse than your hands.
Unless you've looked at both under a 1000X microscope, you have no idea how much more abrasive paper towel is.
I suspect that if you soak you hands by taking a warm bath for half an hour they will be both clean and soft.
Freddy Acosta nivea cream can be a man's best friend, other than that offer to do the dishes more often :)
Vids sorry'