woodblock Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 I have a 200mm SW Newtonian which is two years old. I got it new and looking down the tube there was this beautiful, clean, gleaming mirror. But now when I look I can see a layer of dust and bits all over it. This isn't about cleaning by the way. I know enough to avoid that for now. I've always kept it covered when not in use. Outside I wear an LED headlight and I noticed last night the astonishing amount of dust and bits just floating around in the air catching the light from the LED. We have some big old trees around us but we are out in the sticks so no traffic nearby. There was hardly any breeze. As it happened the scope was pointing up near the zenith and I was thinking about all those bits drifting down onto my lovely mirror. Just an observation, that's all. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, woodblock said: I have a 200mm SW Newtonian which is two years old. I got it new and looking down the tube there was this beautiful, clean, gleaming mirror. But now when I look I can see a layer of dust and bits all over it. This isn't about cleaning by the way. I know enough to avoid that for now. I've always kept it covered when not in use. Outside I wear an LED headlight and I noticed last night the astonishing amount of dust and bits just floating around in the air catching the light from the LED. We have some big old trees around us but we are out in the sticks so no traffic nearby. There was hardly any breeze. As it happened the scope was pointing up near the zenith and I was thinking about all those bits drifting down onto my lovely mirror. Just an observation, that's all. Cheers Steve Those bits in the air could be pollen. This time of year their is a tremendous amount of pollen in the air from trees. If you get pollen on the mirror, you might have no option but to clean it. Edited May 30, 2021 by AstronomyUkraine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodblock Posted May 30, 2021 Author Share Posted May 30, 2021 Yes, I hadn't thought of pollen. The oak trees have finished now but the ash trees are just starting. Thanks Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstronomyUkraine Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 5 hours ago, woodblock said: Yes, I hadn't thought of pollen. The oak trees have finished now but the ash trees are just starting. Thanks Steve We have a lot of oak trees on our property, with it raining the last couple of days, the puddles are yellow with the pollen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechanoid Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 Clean the mirror - its no big deal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.