What is a dew shield?

[cahullian]

So ppl what is a dew shield? and how do I go about getting one?
any help in this area would be much appreciated.
I would like to go to the central coast viewing on Sat and it is advised to bring a dew shield and I don't have one :(
Thanx Gazz

[slice of heaven]

Its an extension of the scopes tube. Not only will it reduce the build up of dew, it will stop unwanted light shining into the focuser. Theres a few threads in Equipment Discussions on materials to use and how to attatch them. Have a nosey and see what suits you.

Slice

[acropolite]

Bintel have flexible dewshields at reasonable prices.:D

[ving]

or go to clark rubber and get some high density foam and make one :)

[cahullian]

Thanks ppl so many answers to one question lol
Im more confused now than before I asked the question so im going to have a snoop around the forum he he he

Cah

[Striker]

Here are some pics of my old LX200 with a dew shield...hope this helps.

[rmcpb]

Gaz,

Why don't you just go to the viewing night without a dew shield and have a good look at other people's kit? After all that is one of the reasons we go to these nights.

Cheers

[GrampianStars]

A dew sheild is a bucket with the bottom cut out, slips over the corrector end, cuts stray light entering, traps still air, with a touch of heat raises the ambient air temp above the dew point of your location.

[Rodstar]

I have found a camping bedroll does the trick. At $12, it is a lot cheaper than other alternatives (except of course buckets with their bottoms cut out).

[cahullian]

Thanks all I made one and tried it out last night. it worked fine and i will post a pic of it when I get time

Irish

[dhumpie]

If your primary scope is the 8" solid tube DOB then I seriously doubt that you are going to need a dew shield. The tube itself is a dew shield for your mirror right at the bottom ;)

Darren

[cahullian]

If you notice the stitches :ashamed: You will understand why the scope is now called Frankie after the great needle work of Victor Frankenstein. ( I hope the spelling is close) :rofl: But it works great at keeping the bugger of a street light out the front from ruining all my viewing.
I used an old bed roll for camping and some cheap material from spotlight ($5.99 per metre and I bought 500mm you can do the maths) and a 5cm wide strip of velcro 400mm long for $2.25.

Gazz

[iceman]

You'd be surprised Darren! These type of dew shields work to:
1) Stop stray light entering the focal path
2) Stop the secondary from getting fogged up
3) Prolong the time before the primary gets dew on it
The GS dobs have their secondary mirrors quite close to the end of the tube, so secondaries fogging up and stray light are common problems.

[Rodstar]

You didn't consider a floral design?

[cahullian]

I had blue, green or the one i picked Rob. This one caught my eye.