OMG I found a spider INSIDE my scope!!!

[§AB]

Well I was taking my scope outside to cool last night in preperation for an observing session. I took the front dust cover off and was absolutely mortified to discover a spider had set up shop inside the tube just behind
the secondary The spider was hanging amongst a mass of spider web crisscrossing the tube. Ofocurse, there was that sinking feeling - now I know what it feels like! I realised that the mirrors could potentially be laced with web, but to my relief the secondary was untouched. Thank god! I hastily evicted the critter by just grabbing it - i wanted it outta there immediately. Now came the matter of the cobwebs. I got a brush and long handled duster and spent about an hour trying to locate and remove every bit of web. Everytime I angled the torch differently, a new strand would show up, some uncomfortably close to the primary Eventually I managed to clear all the web from the tube. I also aimed the torch at the primary to check if theres any web on it. Ofcourse, the sight that confronted me was horrific, but luckily there didn't appear to be any web on the surface of the mirror. Guess I got lucky.

But I wonder how the hell a spider could get in there when the scope is stored with dust caps on and has a shower cap covering the primary end. Maybe during one of my observing sessions it crawled in? ANyway, I hope this doesnt happen again, next time I might not be so lucky

[casstony]

I keep a towelling hair cap on the mirror end of the scope at all times, even when observing, to keep critters out - it's bug city out there at this time of year. The towelling cap lets the scope breathe when stored away too. I use a plastic shower cap on the other end as my supplied dust cap is not a good fit.

[ving (David)]

lol, wheres the pictures?

what sort of spider was it? nothing dangerous i hope!

[Ric]

The little beggars will get in anywhere given half a chance. I just had to clean my corrector plate where a blooming Bogong moth landed on it and decided to sprinkle its moth dust in a nice patch.

I had mothdust donuts if there is such a thing fortunately it blew off quite easily.

Cheers

[CoombellKid]

I've never had web's in my scope, it was always used to much. But I've
had the odd green frog jumping around in the tube.

regards,CS

[astroron (Ron)]

The best way to get rid of Spiders and cobwebs in your scope is with a vacume cleaner.
Ron

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I have a daddy long legs spider living under the mirror of the Mary Rose at the moment. I don't mind, really. I figure it is keeping the other insects at bay down there. He has rather good taste, as far as choosing an abode is concerned, actually.

[§AB]

^^ oh damn I think I'd want that removed before you wake up one day to ya mirror laced with cobwebs!

[goober (Doug)]

Argh - the miracle scope is infested? Say it isn't so...!

[§AB]

It's true! But luckily the little prick didn't touch the mirrors so it's all good.

[leon]

Yep know what you mean, I have a nice big fat huntsman spider living very comfortably in my observatory, he/she isn't really any bother, but i hope he/she dosen't decide to go for a walk during an imaging session and polnk itself on the objective lens when I'm taking the pic.

Actually that might just be a very interesting image, wide field image of the huntsman nebula.

Leon

[CoombellKid]

Leon,

The Huntsman I believe is of the Tarantula spieces... perhaps
the Tarantula Neb. We get quite a few of them around here in
the house, especially when it been raining for days

regards,CS

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

Could be worse, might have the little blighter crawling up your arm during a very tricky guide session