Caring For Your Reflector Telescope

Reflector telescopes are a bit more fragile than most refractor telescopes. The mirror is extremely sensitive to scratching and debris; therefore, it is imperative to keep it clean by gently scrubbing it with a soft cloth and minimal solvents. Furthermore, aligning the mirrors with a laser should be done on a daily basis. Many choose refractor telescopes because of maintenance issues on reflector scopes, but there are certainly some perks to owning a reflector telescope. Every telescope is delicate and requires careful maintenance, but reflectors need special care; one reason might be because there are only two thin fragile mirrors that need alignment in a reflector. Make sure that the tubing is covered when not in use.

Here are some crucial steps for cleaning a reflector telescope: Basically, if a reflection is visible in the mirror, it is not necessary to clean it. Remember, the machinery is delicate; if smudges and scratches are present--apply a soft cloth and rub the surface gently. Perhaps a better method for removing some stubborn dust and other offensive particles is to use a can of in order to blow it at the surface, thus preventing additional scratching that can occur with rubbing. Secondly, remove the mirror and wash it with warm water. Do not touch the surface; just allow the water to run over it. This will remove all loose particles, but with stubborn dirt, rubbing may be the only solution.

Next, find an extremely mild solvent, and if one is not available, simply dilute dish detergent. Use the softest cloth available; perhaps cloth used for cleaning glasses is the best bet. Do not use typical tap water because of the excess residue. So, unfortunately, dipping into the stash of bottled water is crucial for proper cleaning. Finally, place the mirror on its side allowing moisture to roll off of it. Wait until it is thoroughly dry before placing it in the telescope again. It's crucial to minimize scratching because it will dramatically affect the telescope's functionality. Enjoy the fact that reflector telescopes do not suffer from the same ailments that refractors suffer. The user will not have to deal with chromatic aberrations. Moreover, reflectors are less expensive.

Most astronomers choose reflector telescopes, but the drawback is the incessant realigning of the mirrors. Another advantage regarding maintenance on a reflector telescope is that there are fewer components than refractors, and less chance of causing severe damage.