There is also a convenience factor. My former 8" and 10" mirrors are
purpose built travel scopes. The cells are designed to be easily removed
from the mirror box. That was not a design goal for the 15". I should be
able to clean the 15" in place in the mirror box by just tapping the sides
of the mirror.
The 10" is a wooden cell that I would not have wanted to submerge into
water. My former 8" was a plastic cell and it would not have mattered.
I am not necessarily saying that using water is worse. However, part of the
wet technique is rubbing the mirror. I think that is more likely to cause
damage.
Your mileage may vary. If you would rather clean mirrors with soap, water,
and alcohol then that is a time-tested technique.
This presents another approach. It is quick and does not require rubbing
the front of the mirror.
Rob Hawley
TAC's Golden State Star Party at Mount Lassen
July 11 - 14, 2007 http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org
Received on Tue Apr 17 16:01:08 2007