Ok, I had 2 scopes at home when the fire hit last Sunday. The 14 was in its case, the 10 was not and the 20 Obsession is in its observatory down south so it is just fine (was going to pick it up this weekend but I think I'll wait for another week). I just checked the 10 and it looks like a layer of dust got through the cover and the plastic shower cap I keep on both ends. I'll look at the 14 later this evening as I pull it out for some observing of Jupiter. Is it okay to clean a mirror normally that has been exposed like this to the fine particles from a fire or should I leave it alone and just continue to view? I'm not an avid fan of cleaning mirrors all the time, but I think in this case it might be warranted, but the fine particles in the ash I am perhaps more leery of than the normal wear, dirt and dust that accumulates.
I'm no pro, but if it were my choice to make I would clean away the smoke/ash accumulation. I'm thinking, in part, that there might be substances in the soot that could adversely react with moisture (i.e. dew) similar to how acid rain forms. That would be bad, right? Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Jay Eads Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 6:21 PM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Smoke on Mirrors Ok, I had 2 scopes at home when the fire hit last Sunday. The 14 was in its case, the 10 was not and the 20 Obsession is in its observatory down south so it is just fine (was going to pick it up this weekend but I think I'll wait for another week). I just checked the 10 and it looks like a layer of dust got through the cover and the plastic shower cap I keep on both ends. I'll look at the 14 later this evening as I pull it out for some observing of Jupiter. Is it okay to clean a mirror normally that has been exposed like this to the fine particles from a fire or should I leave it alone and just continue to view? I'm not an avid fan of cleaning mirrors all the time, but I think in this case it might be warranted, but the fine particles in the ash I am perhaps more leery of than the normal wear, dirt and dust that accumulates. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Kim, That is what I was thinking. The 14 is fine as I checked it and the case kept the ash and soot out. I'll clean the 10 inch tomorrow though I may not use the pure cotton at first, but will simply wash and rinse. On Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 6:54 PM, Kim <kimharch@cut.net> wrote:
I'm no pro, but if it were my choice to make I would clean away the smoke/ash accumulation. I'm thinking, in part, that there might be substances in the soot that could adversely react with moisture (i.e. dew) similar to how acid rain forms. That would be bad, right?
Kim
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Jay Eads Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 6:21 PM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Smoke on Mirrors
Ok, I had 2 scopes at home when the fire hit last Sunday. The 14 was in its case, the 10 was not and the 20 Obsession is in its observatory down south so it is just fine (was going to pick it up this weekend but I think I'll wait for another week). I just checked the 10 and it looks like a layer of dust got through the cover and the plastic shower cap I keep on both ends. I'll look at the 14 later this evening as I pull it out for some observing of Jupiter. Is it okay to clean a mirror normally that has been exposed like this to the fine particles from a fire or should I leave it alone and just continue to view? I'm not an avid fan of cleaning mirrors all the time, but I think in this case it might be warranted, but the fine particles in the ash I am perhaps more leery of than the normal wear, dirt and dust that accumulates.
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
-- Jay Eads
Most mirror makers do not recommend touching the surface with anything. Wash and Rinse is probably your best option, as I remember you talked about a rinse with a water everclear mixture to reduce spotting.
Kim,
That is what I was thinking. The 14 is fine as I checked it and the case kept the ash and soot out. I'll clean the 10 inch tomorrow though I may not use the pure cotton at first, but will simply wash and rinse.
On Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 6:54 PM, Kim <kimharch@cut.net> wrote:
I'm no pro, but if it were my choice to make I would clean away the smoke/ash accumulation. I'm thinking, in part, that there might be substances in the soot that could adversely react with moisture (i.e. dew) similar to how acid rain forms. That would be bad, right?
Kim
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Jay Eads Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 6:21 PM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Smoke on Mirrors
Ok, I had 2 scopes at home when the fire hit last Sunday. The 14 was in its case, the 10 was not and the 20 Obsession is in its observatory down south so it is just fine (was going to pick it up this weekend but I think I'll wait for another week). I just checked the 10 and it looks like a layer of dust got through the cover and the plastic shower cap I keep on both ends. I'll look at the 14 later this evening as I pull it out for some observing of Jupiter. Is it okay to clean a mirror normally that has been exposed like this to the fine particles from a fire or should I leave it alone and just continue to view? I'm not an avid fan of cleaning mirrors all the time, but I think in this case it might be warranted, but the fine particles in the ash I am perhaps more leery of than the normal wear, dirt and dust that accumulates.
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
-- Jay Eads _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Checking out Jupiter and the moon from the backyard -- a block written in the backyard. http://www.deseretnews.com/blog/47/10010161/Nightly-news-astronomy-Backyard-...
Hi Joe, On 25 Sep 2010, at 22:00, Joe Bauman wrote:
Checking out Jupiter and the moon from the backyard -- a block written in the backyard.
http://www.deseretnews.com/blog/47/10010161/Nightly-news-astronomy-Backyard-...
Very nice pictures. Glad to see you're finding out how much can be done even from a light polluted urban setting. Hey, now that you've seen what you can do from home maybe you should take the pier Dale Wilson is selling off his hands for installation in your yard. :) I look forward to seeing more of your backyard images. patrick
Hi Jay, Do you know Steve Dodds (SLAS member and owner of Nova Optical)? Since you both live in the same are and since he's a professional optician you might want to check with him before doing anything. I've always heard it's best to leave dust on a mirror unless it's really bad because you can do more harm by cleaning. But in your case where it's fire residue that may not be the case. Best to check with a pro like Steve. You can find his contact info on the SLAS roster. Good luck, patrick p.s. Regarding the comments here asking about Steve the other day, I saw Steve a couple of days ago and learned he and his place are fine. On 24 Sep 2010, at 18:21, Jay Eads wrote:
Ok, I had 2 scopes at home when the fire hit last Sunday. The 14 was in its case, the 10 was not and the 20 Obsession is in its observatory down south so it is just fine (was going to pick it up this weekend but I think I'll wait for another week). I just checked the 10 and it looks like a layer of dust got through the cover and the plastic shower cap I keep on both ends. I'll look at the 14 later this evening as I pull it out for some observing of Jupiter. Is it okay to clean a mirror normally that has been exposed like this to the fine particles from a fire or should I leave it alone and just continue to view? I'm not an avid fan of cleaning mirrors all the time, but I think in this case it might be warranted, but the fine particles in the ash I am perhaps more leery of than the normal wear, dirt and dust that accumulates. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Patrick, Thanks! I'll send an email to Steve. On Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 8:08 PM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
Hi Jay,
Do you know Steve Dodds (SLAS member and owner of Nova Optical)?
Since you both live in the same are and since he's a professional optician you might want to check with him before doing anything. I've always heard it's best to leave dust on a mirror unless it's really bad because you can do more harm by cleaning. But in your case where it's fire residue that may not be the case. Best to check with a pro like Steve.
You can find his contact info on the SLAS roster.
Good luck,
patrick
p.s. Regarding the comments here asking about Steve the other day, I saw Steve a couple of days ago and learned he and his place are fine.
On 24 Sep 2010, at 18:21, Jay Eads wrote:
Ok, I had 2 scopes at home when the fire hit last Sunday. The 14 was in its case, the 10 was not and the 20 Obsession is in its observatory down south so it is just fine (was going to pick it up this weekend but I think I'll wait for another week). I just checked the 10 and it looks like a layer of dust got through the cover and the plastic shower cap I keep on both ends. I'll look at the 14 later this evening as I pull it out for some observing of Jupiter. Is it okay to clean a mirror normally that has been exposed like this to the fine particles from a fire or should I leave it alone and just continue to view? I'm not an avid fan of cleaning mirrors all the time, but I think in this case it might be warranted, but the fine particles in the ash I am perhaps more leery of than the normal wear, dirt and dust that accumulates. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
-- Jay Eads
participants (5)
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erikhansen＠thebluezone.net -
Jay Eads -
Joe Bauman -
Kim -
Patrick Wiggins