8 replies to this topic

[piyushCK]

Hello,

 

I am a novice astrophotographer.

I use a Redcat 51 with ZWO ASI294MC Pro.

Mount: i-Optron Skyguider pro and guiding with ZWO ASI174MM Mini Guide camera

I was shooting Horsehead Nebula yesterday and noted very sharp diffraction spikes around Alnitak and one more bright star.(My guiding was not good.)

Back in February, I observed the spikes around Alnitak were much smoother both in a single exposure and the stacked result.

I am worried if there is a scratch on the scope that's causing this. Yesterday, before heading for the imaging session, I cleaned the aperture using a lens spray cleaner and a micro-fiber cloth.

I had to make multiple attempts due to smudges left behind after each clean-up.

I'd do the cleanup more gently the next time or have an expert do it.

 

I have attached the results from

1. Yesterday's session- Horsehead Nebula

2. A month ago-Pleiades

3. Feb, 2024-Horsehead Nebula

 

https://drive.google...?usp=drive_link

 

Kindly let me know if I inadvertently messed something up with the scope.(or what I am observing is normal)

 

Thanks and regards,

Piyush

 

 

 

[UnityLover]

Hello,

 

I am a novice astrophotographer.

I use a Redcat 51 with ZWO ASI294MC Pro.

Mount: i-Optron Skyguider pro and guiding with ZWO ASI174MM Mini Guide camera

I was shooting Horsehead Nebula yesterday and noted very sharp diffraction spikes around Alnitak and one more bright star.(My guiding was not good.)

Back in February, I observed the spikes around Alnitak were much smoother both in a single exposure and the stacked result.

I am worried if there is a scratch on the scope that's causing this. Yesterday, before heading for the imaging session, I cleaned the aperture using a lens spray cleaner and a micro-fiber cloth.

I had to make multiple attempts due to smudges left behind after each clean-up.

I'd do the cleanup more gently the next time or have an expert do it.

 

I have attached the results from

1. Yesterday's session- Horsehead Nebula

2. A month ago-Pleiades

3. Feb, 2024-Horsehead Nebula

 

https://drive.google...?usp=drive_link

 

Kindly let me know if I inadvertently messed something up with the scope.(or what I am observing is normal)

 

Thanks and regards,

Piyush

By lens, you meant the objective, right?
If so, it may have left a film, which can reflect a bit of light. Maybe wipe it down again? Also, before you do that, its possible that cloth and the liquid are far too rough and coarse for the objective, and may have damaged the coatings. Not sure though.

[piyushCK]

By lens, you meant the objective, right?
If so, it may have left a film, which can reflect a bit of light. Maybe wipe it down again? Also, before you do that, its possible that cloth and the liquid are far too rough and coarse for the objective, and may have damaged the coatings. Not sure though.

I first used an air blower to remove dust. Then, I used a glass lens cleaner(for eyeglasses) and a microfiber cloth. I hope it's just a film.

I only cleaned the aperture portion of the scope- the glass on the front.

[UnityLover]

I first used an air blower to remove dust. Then, I used a glass lens cleaner(for eyeglasses) and a microfiber cloth. I hope it's just a film.

I only cleaned the aperture portion of the scope- the glass on the front.

Was the cloth cheap like for eyeglasses, and smooth? or fuzzy?

[John Berger]

I don't see anything wrong with your stars besides the elongation from bad guiding

 

just, make sure your air blower is not the chemical-spouting type, just use the one that has the tear drop shape and uses air from the atmosphere

 

and also, when you use a microfiber cloth, don't press into the glass, just gently streak the areas you want to clean, and make sure it's meant for wiping lenses

 

and, try not to breath onto the glass - it happened with me that I once was trying to remove a haze from my objective lens, with a cloth, but I noticed it wasn't going away and it looked to be getting worse; I thought: "hmmm, that's weird"; I then noticed that it was my breath, because my face was like 6 inches away  ; I was 6 inches because I wanted to see what exactly I was cleaning off; so maybe try to use a face mask (not the valve type) or just try to hold in your breath for a few moments, and also I would recommend gloves, because finger oils can get onto the microfiber cloth, and can be smeared on the glass accidentally.

 

also, your cleaning solution should be specifically designed for wiping telescope glass, because normal cleaning solution might remove coatings

 

or if you decide just to use water, make sure it's distilled

Edited by John Berger, 02 December 2024 - 08:44 PM.

[piyushCK]

Was the cloth cheap like for eyeglasses, and smooth? or fuzzy?

It was a regular eyeglass cleaning cloth:
https://postimg.cc/sG2TrNwt/0751d4f3

I did not know. Should have used a better material.

[piyushCK]

I don't see anything wrong with your stars besides the elongation from bad guiding

just, make sure your air blower is not the chemical-spouting type, just use the one that has the tear drop shape and uses air from the atmosphere

and also, when you use a microfiber cloth, don't press into the glass, just gently streak the areas you want to clean, and make sure it's meant for wiping lenses

and, try not to breath onto the glass - it happened with me that I once was trying to remove a haze from my objective lens, with a cloth, but I noticed it wasn't going away and it looked to be getting worse; I thought: "hmmm, that's weird"; I then noticed that it was my breath, because my face was like 6 inches away ; I was 6 inches because I wanted to see what exactly I was cleaning off; so maybe try to use a face mask (not the valve type) or just try to hold in your breath for a few moments, and also I would recommend gloves, because finger oils can get onto the microfiber cloth, and can be smeared on the glass accidentally.

also, your cleaning solution should be specifically designed for wiping telescope glass, because normal cleaning solution might remove coatings

or if you decide just to use water, make sure it's distilled

Thanks a lot! ☺️I’ll keep these in mind.
Could you please recommend a good cleaning solution/cloth for telescopes?

Edited by piyushCK, 02 December 2024 - 08:57 PM.

[John Berger]

I would recommend this kit https://www.highpoin...aning-kit-93576

 

Celestron should know very well what they're doing

 

and the reviews are good

 

it's not for mirrors, just glass

 

and plz be careful, be always gentle

[piyushCK]

I would recommend this kit https://www.highpoin...aning-kit-93576

Celestron should know very well what they're doing

and the reviews are good

it's not for mirrors, just glass

and plz be careful, be always gentle

Thank you so much. Just ordered.