Celestron Telescope Cleaning Instructions

Collector Lens

• Though all of the parts of a telescope perform an important function, the collector lens is one of the most important. If dirt, dust or debris collects on the collector lens, it could distort your view through the telescope. Cleaning the collector lens regularly will ensure undistorted viewing through the telescope.

  You need to be careful when cleaning the collector lens as you don't want to create any scratches. First remove any debris with a can of pressurized air or a camel-hair brush. Next, spray tissue paper with an optical cleaning solution, available at most drug stores, and wipe the lens from the center to the outside with light strokes. Do not move the tissue paper in a circular motion across the lens as this increases the chance of scratching the glass.

  You may find that dew accumulates on the collector plate during normal use. To remove the dew, use a hair dryer at the lowest setting or point the telescope down until the dew evaporates.

  If moisture develops within the telescope, place it in a room with low humidity and tilt it down toward the floor. It often takes several hours for moisture in the microscope to evaporate.

Cleaning the Rest of the Telescope

• The body of the telescope will accumulate dust over time, and you can remove it by wiping it off with a clean, dry cloth.

  The the eyepiece is made of glass and requires the same type of cleaning as the collector lens. Since the other glass pieces are smaller, using a can of pressurized air or the camel hair brush is often all you need. If the glass pieces still have dust, use a small amount of the optical cleaner on tissue paper and lightly rub the glass.

Preventing Dust Buildup

• The lens caps supplied with the telescope were designed to keep dust off of the lenses. Place the caps over the lenses whenever you are not using your Celestron telescope. In addition, try to store the telescope in a low humidity, dust-free location. By reducing the telescope's exposure to dust and debris, you will prevent the need to clean the telescope.