I have found that the best time to get excellent views of the heavens from where I am situated is around 2.00 am.
Although its not getting as cold at night as it was, it's still cold, with some dampness in the air.
My concern is setting up my scope at around 8 pm, and leaving it out for that length of time. I am trying to do some astrophotography, and at the moment I want to get the Moon out of the way, hence the interest in 2 am.
In general, is it okay to leave a scope outside at night for 6 hours or so - or should I wrap it in some kind of covering? I live in northern Vic.
If the 'scope is a refractor or SCT, I suspect that even if you cover it with a tarpaulin, dew will form on the objective lens or corrector, the finder scope and any eyepieces attached. Not sure about Newts as I've never had one.
I have left mine outside for 3 or 4 hours with Kendrick dew heaters on the objective lens (refractor) and corrector plate (SCT) and they remained dew free. The finder dewed over completely.
I know of one person who has designed a low power heater strip that he wraps around his 'scope before going to bed and in the morning, when he removes the tarpaulin, the ‘scope is dry.
Only on exceptionally dry nights have I enjoyed dew free observing all night long.
I often leave mine out till very late, usually cover it with a thick towel first and then some white plastic, the stuff they use on babies cots when they are young to protect the mattress, never a problem, works great.
