Leaving scope outside: will this affect collimation?

[codemonkey]

Recently I bought a GSO RC8 scope; my first non-refractor scope. I often leave my short refractor set up on my mount, protected by a Telegizmo 365 cover. I'm wondering... would doing that, particularly on our hot summer days, stuff up the collimation of my RC8? Should I bring that inside every time?

[Paul Haese]

Short answer is no. It might affect focus quite a lot but collimation is not going to be affected.

[codemonkey]

Awesome, thanks Paul :-)

[keni]

Just beware of the "Ovine" menaces Lee. ;)

Ken.

[codemonkey]

baaahaha (see what I did there?) Ken. The gear is pretty safe now as I stole my wife's new sheep fencing to protect it.

I managed to finally get the RC8 onto the mount for the first time the other night, just before a storm rolled in and I had to pack it up. Looking like it should be pretty clear tonight so let's see if I can at least get it into focus before I need to pack up :D