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Hi fellow members,
I'm thinking about a Newtonian reflector mirror cleaning class.Let me know if your interested in attending and bringing your telescope.I'm thinking of doing this soon and hope to hear from you ASAP. I'd like to set up in late afternoon so the sun can help add to visibility.
Mike Hopper

When do you plan on doing it? I recently cleaned the ASN 20 inch dob and it needed it.
I am sure the 24 inch is in need of a cleaning. We were going to try to get the 24 and
20 inch dob to the Danberg Ranch public star party and it would be nice to have a
clean mirror on the 24 inch. I could go out to Hugh place and bring into town. I may
do a trial fit to see if I can get both the 20 and 24 inch in my trailer.

Jeff

Even if folks do not need to clean their mirror, per se, this would be a good opportunity to take your mirror cell out of the tube assembly and take a good look at it... something that many people are afraid to do (but may be more comfortable doing in a group).

I remember when I first got my dob I was not very impressed with the views... turns out the mirror was being pinched by the brackets holding it in place (the bracket was tightened down too much). It's a good idea to not only check the brackets holding your mirror, but to place a 'donut hole' in the middle of the mirror for collimation, etc. (you can do this my cutting a circle in a piece of paper the same diameter as your mirror, fold it into quarters, then cut out the center tip in order to mark the center of your mirror).

So, even if your mirror does not need to be cleaned, I invite everyone to attend this session. It may be informative if/when you eventually need to clean your own mirror.

The ring in the center of the mirror is an excellent thing! Another good way to do this is to use the punch hole reinforcement stickers that you can get. They're the little rings that you put around the punch holes on paper in 3-ring binders. Those work really well also, and give you a perfect circle in the collimation process.

Thanks Chris. I agree, the punch hole reinforcement stickers work great and I was assuming folks would use that... using the method described above as a template to ensure the sticker is placed exactly in the center of the mirror.

Of course, the question to Mike's original question remains: who is interested in getting together to do this and when would you like to do it?

I'd be interested in doing this. I've been meaning to clean the optics in my scope for some time. You're right, Tim, I'm another who's been afraid to mess with removing the mirror, heh. I'd established that I could clean the primary mirror with only removing the secondary mirror and reaching back to the other side of the tube. But, I since heard it's probably not as risky as it seems. As far as when to do the class, I'd say a little while after the Wilson Commons party this month would work.

Jeff, I had no idea you were going to try to bring the 24" to a star party also. How did that work out with fitting both the 20" and 24" in your trailer?