'Scope - is this a good opportunity to buy?

[Qazaq2001]

Jacaranda,
 Mars should attain a maximum angular diameter of 25.13 arcseconds on the night of 27/28 August, which is about 1/120th the apparent angular diameter of the sun or moon. Also it will be at its closest to Earth in about 60,000 years, and hence at its largest apparent size as seen from Earth. Q

[Jacaranda3739]

It's supposed to be a really good show.
I just hope this weather pattern breaks, this is getting riddiculis.
I haven't even opened my pool up yet, it's been too cold.

[Qazaq2001]

Jacaranda,
 Mars should appear about 30 degrees above the southern horizon from your location on the night of opposition in late August, around local midnight (1am local daylight time). At that altitude the viewing won't be the best, unless you get a warm hazy night, when the atmosphere is still at all levels, allowing for surprisingly good views, providing the haze isn't too thick making the planet appear too dim to see detail. Q

[smichy]

Woo hoo! Picked up the new scope on Saturday - it went cloudy almost immediately:( and has poured with rain today!

Looking forward to getting it set-up. If I have any problems, I know where to come!:D

Steve M

[Qazaq2001]

Smichy,
 That is cool, man. Now you are dealing with the symptoms of new scope-itis, which include lots of crappy weather that sticks around forever, and the itch that can only be cured by getting out under a clear night sky. What kind of scope did you get? Q

[smichy]

The one I mentioned at the top of this thread originally! It's a Meade 4504 4.5" Newtonian Reflector with GOTO. I assembled it all last night - went together perfectly. I've got a box of eyepieces which I'll go thru this evening - presumably it comes with a "standard" collection of these?

One thing I've wondered is...what about dust? Is this an issue with reflectors? How would I clean it? rtfm I guess!:rollin

Can't wait to try it out!!! (Kid with new toy)

Steve M

[Qazaq2003]

Smichy,
Sorry about taking awhile to respond, been busy at work, and dealing with my computer having the digital equivalent of brain f@rts, and getting used to the new ES. As for dust being an issue with a newtonian reflector such as yours, most definately. When you are not using your scope make sure the objective end, and the focuser drawtube are securely capped, if your scope came supplied with dust caps, if not, cover them with plastic wrap secured down with rubber bands, works just as well. If your mirrors have dust on them, very gently blow the dust off with some type of air bulb type syringe if you have one, if not obtain one, and also get a camel's hair brush, and very very gently brush off any dust particles that remain so as not to accidentally scratch the coatings on the mirrors. Skyjim can also give you additional tips on scope care and maintenance. Good luck with your scope, and I hope you have finally got to try it out. Q

[jacaranda3739]

Phil Harrington gives a  detailed step by step instruction on how to clean reflector mirrors in "Starware".
What Qazaq said about gently blowing the dust and using a camel hair brush is sound advice.(Bear in mind, he said,"gently.")
The aluminum coating on the mirror is extremly soft and scratches with even a light touch. I know because I destroyed the secondary mirror in my 4.5 Meade reflector when I cleaned it with windex and a piece of tissue paper. I was new to astronomy at the time and I thought they were regular mirrors. You live and learn.
The dust on your mirror is most likely glued to the surface with dried moisture and contaminants from the air.
Take it out and soak it in warm distilled water(tap water contains minerals) for awhile to loosen the particals, then rinse it and repeat as many times as needed. By all means, do not try to wipe it off with any type of towel or anything like that. The loose particals will scratch the coating.
After you have cleaned the mirror, stand it up on it's side and blow the water off with a bellows. An air compressor may blast it with more moisture and oil. A hair dryer will dry the water on contact and leave deposits.
And blowing it dry with your mouth isn't recomended because you will cover it with little deposits of spit. The idea is to move the water off the surface without drying it to it.
So the best thing to use is a bellows which can be purchased at any of your local bellows stores.
Or, you can go down to your local drug store and buy a ear cleaning kit for about $5. They come with a good sized rubber bellows, and you can clean your ears too!