Telescope care advice for immigrant.

[John Hothersall]

Hi all on the forum, I am a British chap emmigrating to Brisbane middle of next year - British weather as I am sure you know is wet and cloudy 80% of time. Holiday Last June in Bris had clear skies 11/13 nights.

The weather is so hot and rain free so I was interested to know without an obsy can I leave scope out all day/night (which I would never do in UK), sealed top and bottom (14" newt on EQ6) with plastic cover over, what about condensation risk to newts?

Any advice would be gobbled up, probably should plan an obsy which would be perfect, but for 1st few months I will have to do without.

Thanks, JohnH.

[astronut (John)]

Hi John,
Congratulations on your decision to emigrate to Australia, and to I.I.S
Brisbane can be a humid place, especially in the warmer months.
I know the setup you have is BIG AND HEAVY, but I wouldn't leave a scope for an extended period of time covered over, your biggest threats would be mould growth on your mirrors and depending where you live, THEFT!!
Remember, the U.K. sent ALL their convicts out here.
Either break the unit down after use or put up the observatory, QUICK!!.

Cheers, John.

[matt]

As a fellow migrant ('83) and now Brisbane-based astronut....let me say an early 'welcome'

First of all...Brisbane gets rain. Believe me....it gets rain!!!!! Storms and downpours the like of which have to be seen to be believed.

As has also been pointed out, it also gets very humid here in late spring/summer/early autumn. So you will need to consider that particular issue with regard to keeping your set-up covered.

Make sure you get in touch when you arrive

[robgreaves]

Last time I saw Brisbane on the news a couple of days ago, it was flooded out, and numerous houses ripped apart by cyclones! But don't let that put you off. Sounds like you visited during a freak spell of stable weather

Like Britain, the weather can change in 5 minutes. Sunny one minute, howling gales, lightning and hail the next!

I'm ex-Cambridgeshire UK, and have been here in Australia 55 weeks so far!

Have you got your visa, then?

Regards,
Rob