What is the easiest way to clean the main mirror in my telescope? It is the Orion...

[blackhole1027]

...SkyQuest Xt10 Classic? Do I take the mirror out of the tube? I can't reach it with my hand... What do I use to clean it? I see a little bit of dust on the main mirror...

[cosmo]

Cleaning the mirror is a pretty big deal, not to be undertaken lightly. A little dirt won't hurt the operation of the telescope much.

You might try getting a small can of compressed air from a photography shop and blowing the dust off.

The important thing is not to try to wipe the dust off a dry mirror.

For an very dirty mirror, you'll have to disassemble the telescope, get the mirror out, clean it gently with detergent and water, re-assemble, then re-align.

[Geoff G]

The easiest way is not to clean it at all. Seriously, more damage is done by people trying to clean their optics than by any dust or dirt on them. Cleaning a telescope's mirror is something which should be done only every five to ten years, and then only if it is really really dirty. Dust has absolutely no effect on the performance of a telescope, unless it's really heavy.

When you _really_ need to clean your mirror, in at least five years from now, this is how to do it. You need to remove the mirror cell from the tube, and then remove the mirror from the cell. Blow any loose dust off with a blower brush, NOT canned air. Rinse under running water. If that isn't enough, immerse in a mixture of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol, with a few drops of liquid dishwasher detergent added. Use surgical cotton (not cotton balls, as they're abrasive) to _gently_ swab the surface, using no more pressure than the weight of the cotton. Rinse with more of the water-alcohol mixture and stand on edge to dry. Remove any droplets with the tip of a paper towel.

[Michael Steen]

All excellent advice--right out of "Astronomy Hacks," a book I highly recommend. I might also add that you should put several layers of towells in the bottom of the sink you're washing the mirror in. That way, if your hand slips, you'll still have a mirror.

[admin]

yeah great stuff here thats why it pays to keep the cap on your telescopes when you are not using them... man i should do that more often

[EVERYTHING]

A nice smooth piece of CLOTH and some spray for mirrors, glass, etc. and gently spray little bit and gently rub the cloth on the object you want clean.

[Michael Steen]

Everything, that's the last straw. I've been polite up until now, but you don't take the hint. The advice you just gave in the above post could very well RUIN a mirror. If anyone followed only this recommendation, they could very well have scratches all over the primary.
Your membership and contributions here are welcome, but, for God's sake, limit yourself to what you ACTUALLY KNOW. Just making stuff up and posting it, especially when it comes to cleaning mirrors, is irresponsible.
Read the books. Listen to the experts on this forum. Study the subject. If you have REAL KNOWLEDGE to contribute, do so. If not, just read and learn.