Go Back   IceInSpace > Beginners Start Here > Beginners Talk

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 28-10-2007, 06:14 PM
astroAJ's Avatar
astroAJ
Deep Sky King

astroAJ is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA
Posts: 48
How to store telescope optics?

Hi all

A book I read lately said that I should always store the scope with its main optics facing down whether the dust caps are on or not.
Is it necessary to do this?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28-10-2007, 06:19 PM
mill's Avatar
mill (Martin)
sword collector

mill is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Mount Evelyn
Posts: 2,925
Not really necessary as long as you can keep it dust free.
A small refractor can go in a box and a dob can have a tarp over it.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28-10-2007, 06:37 PM
astroAJ's Avatar
astroAJ
Deep Sky King

astroAJ is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA
Posts: 48
Thanks mill
Sounds like a good idea for my dob
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28-10-2007, 06:40 PM
mill's Avatar
mill (Martin)
sword collector

mill is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Mount Evelyn
Posts: 2,925
Ps: A showercap on the bottom of the scope will keep even more dust out.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28-10-2007, 06:46 PM
astroAJ's Avatar
astroAJ
Deep Sky King

astroAJ is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA
Posts: 48
Sounds interesting mill
To bad if it’s wet
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28-10-2007, 07:08 PM
mill's Avatar
mill (Martin)
sword collector

mill is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Mount Evelyn
Posts: 2,925
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 28-10-2007, 07:08 PM
taminga16's Avatar
taminga16 (Greg)
Registered User

taminga16 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Maldon. VIC
Posts: 858
I think that the theory behind this statement is that dust only settles on upward facing horizontal surfaces, I cover my 10" DOB with a good quality plastic bag and then an old bed sheet after all it doesn't matter what it looks like when it's not in use.

Regards,

Greg.

A book I read lately said that I should always store the scope with its main optics facing down whether the dust caps are on or not.
Is it necessary to do this? [/QUOTE]
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 28-10-2007, 07:20 PM
astroAJ's Avatar
astroAJ
Deep Sky King

astroAJ is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA
Posts: 48
The books called "The Australian Guide to Stargazing" by Gregg D. Thompson

The problem is that if i've got dust caps on, the book says the primary mirror should still be facing downwards (when not in use).
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28-10-2007, 07:33 PM
leon's Avatar
leon
Registered User

leon is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Warrnambool
Posts: 12,800
Yes it should be facing down to the best of your ability when not in use, if air can get in, so can dust, and with a shower cap on,(as suggested) each end, even with the caps on makes it better still.

It is pretty obvious that i hate dust

Leon
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28-10-2007, 07:44 PM
astroAJ's Avatar
astroAJ
Deep Sky King

astroAJ is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA
Posts: 48
Thanks all for your ideas
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 28-10-2007, 11:03 PM
citivolus's Avatar
citivolus (Ric)
Refracted

citivolus is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Carindale
Posts: 1,178
I always wonder about this with an SCT, as you have both the secondary and corrector plate to worry about. As a result, I store mine horizontally.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 29-10-2007, 02:12 PM
astro_nutt
Registered User

astro_nutt is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,013
Hi all...just a thought..with my Dob..I do store it horizontal..but...since the focuser is set on an upward angle..so is the secondary mirror..so I place it on it's mount..(back-to-front if you like)...so that the focuser points downwards when it's horiziontal..plus..a bag of silica gel taped to the sipder vane where it joins onto the inside of the tube helps to control moisture..cover the lot with a clean cotton sheet.
You could also use a bag of silica gel taped on the inside of the dust cap for the focuser on SCT's to prevent moisture build-up or mould on the optics.
Cheers!!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 29-10-2007, 04:43 PM
leon's Avatar
leon
Registered User

leon is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Warrnambool
Posts: 12,800
Yep, there are many varied ways to look after our optics, and one way is probably as good as another, as long as we do something to stop that nasty dust.

Leon
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 08:50 PM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement