Back to Home

ATM Forum Message

Forums: Atm · Astrophotography · Blackholes · Blackholes2 · CCD · Celestron · Domes · Education
Eyepieces · Meade · Misc. · God and Science · SETI · Software · UFO · XEphem
RSS Button

Home | Discussion Forums | Amateur Telescope Making | Post
Login

Be the first pioneers to continue the Astronomy Discussions at our new Astronomy meeting place...
The Space and Astronomy Agora
Re: Cold Weather

Forum List | Follow Ups | Post Message | Back to Thread Topics | In Response To
Posted by Steve/">Steve on February 2, 1999 15:54:00 UTC

Agree with Bob completely. My wife and I started the same way - Tasco for Christmas. You could do worse! Depending on where you're located, dew and frosting can be a real problem - but there's a few things you can do. The first, believe it or not, is to be VERY careful about not breathing on the eyepieces when you approach the focuser. Lots of people tend to exhale right then, and that's hot humid stuff just waiting to cause problems. Also, you can try a hair-dryer if you're within range of the house and a (good - safe) extension cord. It won't last long but can get you some extra time. This is an after-the-fact solution, not prevention. (More expensive versions are available of course...) Conversely, if you have a reflector, you might try a small fan that you turn on while you're looking at the charts or binoculars. This isn't heated, but it helps keep the optics at the same temp as the surrounding air - which helps a good bit. This is preventative. No idea if will will work with a refractor - don't have one. Hope this helps! Keep working on it - if you enjoy it look into a dew shield...

  • ASN-LC ATM Menu

Follow Ups:

    Login to Post
    Additional Information
    Google
     
    Web www.astronomy.net
    DayNightLine
    About Astronomy Net | Advertise on Astronomy Net | Contact & Comments | Privacy Policy
    Unless otherwise specified, web site content Copyright 1994-2024 John Huggins All Rights Reserved
    Forum posts are Copyright their authors as specified in the heading above the post.
    "dbHTML," "AstroGuide," "ASTRONOMY.NET" & "VA.NET"
    are trademarks of John Huggins