Re: [Utah-astronomy] Collimation of a Dobsonian
Richard wrote:
What seems like a simple solution to dust on primary mirrors -- a piece of saran wrap gently laid over the primary to act as a dust barrier when stored, I've been told is a really bad idea, . . .
I've been thinking about trying vacum storage bags next year for a 10" Newt. The largest that they come in is 48" x 33" - too short from my Newt, but large enough to hold an SCT. http://www.merchantamerica.com/spacesaverbag/index.php?ba=home For a 10" Newt, I has thinking of wrapping the scope in 2 bags and then duct taping the seal and not evacuating any air. For other scopes that would fit in a 48" x 33" bag, you would not pull all the air out of the bag due to the crush hazard. Remove just enough to assure that the bag is sealed. Haven't actually done it yet - just an idea. - Kurt ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
Just seal it, but don't pull reduced pressure. Dust will migrate in if the bag's integrity is broken or a seal fails. It's not like you need to protect the optics from "The Andromeda Strain". Make sure the scope is relatively clean first, and wrap it in as clean an environment as possible. On Mon, May 5, 2008 at 3:54 PM, Canopus56 <canopus56@yahoo.com> wrote:
I've been thinking about trying vacum storage bags next year for a 10" Newt. The largest that they come in is 48" x 33" - too short from my Newt, but large enough to hold an SCT.
http://www.merchantamerica.com/spacesaverbag/index.php?ba=home
For a 10" Newt, I has thinking of wrapping the scope in 2 bags and then duct taping the seal and not evacuating any air.
For other scopes that would fit in a 48" x 33" bag, you would not pull all the air out of the bag due to the crush hazard. Remove just enough to assure that the bag is sealed.
Haven't actually done it yet - just an idea.
I should add that most dust and dirt in the telescope is picked-up when the scope is in-use in the field, and during transport in a vehicle. Car interiors are incredibly dirty atmospheric environments. Unless you live in the basement of the British museum, you're probably not picking up most of your dirt when the telescope is stored at home.
participants (2)
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Canopus56 -
Chuck Hards