Performance of a Dob In a Garage

[Currumbin sky (Dave)]

Hi Iam a new budding middle aged astronomer, bought a Saxon Dobsonian 8 inch with Plossol 25mm and 10mm eyepieces.

As time is limited have only opened roller door on garage (townhouse) and observed the sky by having base near the open door, which allows the peripheral street lights to be not too much of an issue.
Just wondering if this setup would seriously affect the viewing performance?
I have seen lots of stars obviously only a limited portion of sky ,but the Dob can sit there set up permanently in the garage.
Would it solve cooling issues and atmospherics around the tube?
Or would it make things worse?
Iam obviously going to venture out at some stage, but just wondering about this setup.
Thanks .

[Poita (Peter)]

You will be able to tell, if you get views that look like you are viewing through a heat shimmer, then it may partially be due to atmospherics with the shed. If you are getting pretty clear images on good nights, then it sounds like a workable setup, the main drawback being access to only part of the sky.
You get some advantages, like breezes not affecting the scope, or yourself! I've been wearing a snowsuit most nights, a garage sounds quite inviting.

[Currumbin sky (Dave)]

No there is no heat haze I remember that hazy occurence through a refractor many years ago, the 10mm Plossl supplied is pretty dismal though.
(I have asked about his on my introduction,)... but the 25mm is showing an amazing number of stars(biggest scope I have ever viewed through).

Iam an early morning worker so haven't got much energy at night to set up and drive to dark skies.
I experimented last night and poked the scope out of the boundary of the garage ...but the contrast suffered, (two streetlights) one to the left one to the right.
Iam facing due east with trees right near the horizon.
I have never seen so many stars in my life, but you walk out of the garage and I can probably see about 100 stars max.
As a beginner just thought it was interesting if the light that affects astronomical viewing is about shielding the telescope soley?...from light?
Within reason?

[Poita (Peter)]

It may be more about shielding your eyes than the scope.

This sounds crazy, but push the scope out and view from under a cloth to keep the light away from your eyes, and let them night adapt again, and see how much difference there is.

You could try making a black cardboard tube and sticking it on the end of your scope, effectively extending the barrel and creating a hood for it, the same as you do for camera lenses to keep stray light out of it.

Does it take 1.25" eyepieces? I can send you a 10mm Vixen LV eyepiece to borrow for a few days if you want to see how it compares to your plossl.