The Importance Of Cleaning Your Telescope
Eyepieces
Over time you may notice that your telescope eyepieces are
getting dirty. The dirt particles that are accumulating on your
eyepieces may start to distort what you are able to view through
them which can get frustrating.
Many people are afraid to clean their telescope eyepieces for
fear of damaging them. Once you have spent the money to purchase
your eyepieces you want to protect them as best as you can.
Buy a case that you can store them in to keep them safe while
they are not in use. Avoid touching lenses directly with your
hands. It is likely that at some point your eyepieces will need
cleaned no matter how well you take care of them.
Before cleaning any particular piece of equipment for your
telescope including mirrors and eyepieces make sure to consult
your owner’s manual for their approved method to avoid
damage. Here are a few basic pointers to help get you started.
How To Clean Your Telescope Eyepieces
Avoid cleaning your telescope eyepieces when you are in the
field. Find yourself a nice clean spot to work at. You will
need medical grade cotton. Q-tips and regular cotton balls should
not be used as they contain tiny particles that could scratch
your eyepieces. You will also need some lens cleaner which can
be found at any camera supply store. Another item that you will
need to clean your telescope eyepieces with is an aspirator
which you can find at most drug stores.
First you will need to use the aspirator to blow off any lose
debris that might be clinging to your eyepiece. Once you have
removed all the lose particles it is time to actually clean
your telescope eyepieces. You will need to lightly moisten the
medical grade cotton with your lens cleaner. Take the moistened
cotton swab and gently run it over the surface of your eyepiece.
You want to make sure to use as little lens cleaner as possible
so you do not leave any type of film behind.
If you feel the need to use tissue make sure that it is fragrant
free and contains no additives such as lotion. Both can contribute
scratches and could possibly leave residue behind. When you
try to look through your eyepieces images will be distorted
if you clean them with anything that leaves scratches and residue
behind. You will be forced to either clean your telescope eyepieces
again or invest in new ones if they are damaged.
