Dew and the RC8

[widow18]

With cooler nights approaching I was wondering what others have done to prevent or minimize dew on their RC8 , or indeed any RC scopes?
I am building and extended dew shield, but am afraid it may not be enough.
Thanks
Peter

[naskies]

Hi Peter,

I take my CF RC8 out west (past Warwick) and find that it does due up quite easily - especially in winter and/or shooting near zenith.

For the secondary, Kendrick sells a secondary heater specifically for the GSO RC series:

http://www.kendrickastro.com/astro/RCoptics.html

For the primary, Kendrick also sells heater pads - but only for >= 12-inch RCs. I usually just tape a couple of large dew strips across the back of the RC8 and/or around the 3" focuser extension tubes.

This keeps the dew away in most reasonable temperatures (without a dew shield), but below -5 deg C and pointing at zenith I find that the primary still frosts over...

Dave

[Osirisra]

Thanks for the link Dave, exactly what I need for my 8" secondary too :)

[LewisM]

When I am at home, I use the wife's hair dryer :)