If you are an owner of one of the best telescopes on the market, you may have a question or two about how to clean telescope eyepieces.
Your telescope eyepieces are the first thing you will see through your telescope. These little gadgets are used to magnify the image formed by the large objective lens, and thus allow you to see details in the sky that you would otherwise not be able to see.
However, with time, the dust gets deposited onto these tiny components, and this can affect the quality of your images. This is where you need to take care of your eyepieces. Yet, it can be a bit tricky to do so - like cleaning the telescope lens or a Barlow lens.
In this article, we will discuss how to clean telescope eyepieces. Let's get started!
How To Clean Telescope Eyepieces
Cleaning your telescope eyepieces is not a simple task. However, with the right tools, our guidance and little patience, you can clean your eyepieces with ease. Undeniably, cleaning your eyepieces is a good practice to keep your telescope in good shape.
To get the job done, you need to gather the right tools including a rocket blower, lens cleaning solution (isopropyl alcohol), a microfiber cloth, and cotton swabs. A professional lens cleaning kit like this one from CamKix comes with all the necessary tools to clean your telescope eyepieces as well as telescope lenses.
Assuming that you have the right tools, here are the steps to clean your telescope eyepieces.
Set up your workspace
The first step is to set up your workspace. It is important to have a clean, dust-free environment with good lighting where you can work on your eyepieces.
You will also need a strong light, such as a flashlight, that you can direct at a grazing angle against the eyepiece surface. This will reveal grit particles on the lens.
Blow the dust off your eyepiece
Once you are all set, start by blowing off any dust visible on the surface of the eyepieces. You can use the rocket blower for this purpose. It is not recommended to blow with your mouth or use a can of compressed air.
Fire up the rocket blower, aim the nozzle at the eyepiece, and blowhard. Repeat the process from different angles until all the dust is blown off. After that, examine your eyepiece carefully under a strong light to make sure there is no dust or any other foreign matter on the surface.
Clean the surface
Now, it's time to remove the persistent dust particles from the surface of the eyepiece. To do that, lightly moisten a cotton swab with the cleaning solution. Don’t overdo this; You want it damp, but not dripping wet.
With the damp cotton swab, begin at the centre of the lens and wipe outward very gently, in a circular motion, cleaning all the way around the lens. Don't forget to replace the cotton swab frequently as you clean the lens.
Dry the eyepiece
Once your eyepiece is squeaky clean, you can dry it with a clean, soft microfiber cloth. With your index finger in the cloth, wipe the lens in a circular motion, exactly like you did in the previous step.
Lastly, you can use the blower to blow off any lint fibres from the swabs that remain on the lens. Let the eyepiece air dry for at least an hour before you put it back on your telescope or storage case.
- Read More: Best Telescope Under 200 2022
Tips To Maintain Your Telescope Eyepieces
Now that you know how to clean your telescope eyepieces, it is time to learn how to maintain them. To keep your telescope eyepieces in good condition, you need to follow the tips below.
- Clean it only when needed. Frequent cleaning may damage the lenses.
- Store your eyepieces in a dry, dust-free place when not in use. It's wise to purchase a carrying case for your eyepieces and filter.
- Do not use any kind of abrasive cleaning agents. Invest in a professional lens cleaning kit for better results.
- Never pour the cleaning solution directly onto the lens – use a cotton swab or microfiber cloth.
- Avoid touching the surface of the lens with your fingers to prevent adding oils and dirt.
Hope it helps! Henceforth, enjoy your telescope.