Is it possible to clean a telescope mirror?

[jim hardy]

not to hijack - but seems not worth a separate thread.

Is it possible to clean a telescope mirror?

About 30 years ago i bought Dad a 6" Meade mirror out of Sky&Telescope magazine.
We built a simple Newtonian with a redwood twelve sided tube. Local astronomy club deemed it "handsome" which Dad enjoyed tremendously.

It has now sat for fifteen years since his death and is quite dusty.

Is this something an amateur can do, or should i mail it someplace?

Suggestions welcome -

old jim

 

[Chronos]

You will be better off sending the mirror out and getting it recoated. After sitting around that long the coating will almost certainly need professional help. Optic wave labs, for example, [http://www.opticwavelabs.com/coating.php] will strip and recoat a 6 inch primary for around $50, and the secondary for $30 [perhaps less]. That is not a bad deal.

 

[jim hardy]

thanks, chronos - that'll be the plan.

old jim

 

[chemisttree]

not to hijack - but seems not worth a separate thread.

Is it possible to clean a telescope mirror?

About 30 years ago i bought Dad a 6" Meade mirror out of Sky&Telescope magazine.
We built a simple Newtonian with a redwood twelve sided tube. Local astronomy club deemed it "handsome" which Dad enjoyed tremendously.

It has now sat for fifteen years since his death and is quite dusty.

Is this something an amateur can do, or should i mail it someplace?

Suggestions welcome -

old jim

Personally, I won't do business with Cary at Optic Wave Labs. Too risky. He hasn't taken any of my money but he has wasted a lot of my time. Search Cloudy Nights for the many tales of woe... and just as many happy endings. If you've already jumped in then good luck!

I think you'll need it.