7 replies to this topic

[FredWagner]

Is it necessary to put a dust cover on the primary sell end of a 8” Dobsonian? I saw ones by Astrozap. I also brought my telescope inside out of the garage because with starting the car I was concerned about extra dirt and dust blowing off the garage floor. I will just have to take it outside an hour or two early for clear nights.

[Oddyse]

  I throw a towel over mine. Regards

[FredWagner]

I throw a towel over mine. Regards

how do you hold it in place? Being that it’s the bottom of the scope.

[briansalomon1]

You don't have to keep the mirrors covered but it doesn't take very much to keep them protected, and the mirrors on our telescopes are fairly expensive. I made a cover for mine out of 3 mil black plastic and heavy packing tape. It has small openings in the top and bottom that allow humidity to escape. I keep a 40W incandescent lamp on inside the cover and the humidity stays below 30% all the time.

 

Keeping your mirrors clean and dry preserves the coatings.

[sevenofnine]

Two shower caps should do it. Cheap and easy! You can't say that very often in this hobby 

[FredWagner]

I just cut the legs off a pair of cotton boxers and sewed the opening up to make a cover. I also tightened up the waist band. Lol

Two shower caps should do it. Cheap and easy! You can't say that very often in this hobby 

 

 

 

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[sevenofnine]

Fred...I like your solution much better!!

[betacygni]

Is it necessary to put a dust cover on the primary sell end of a 8” Dobsonian? I saw ones by Astrozap. I also brought my telescope inside out of the garage because with starting the car I was concerned about extra dirt and dust blowing off the garage floor. I will just have to take it outside an hour or two early for clear nights.

It’s typically a good idea. Not much dust floats up from the bottom, but the bigger concern is keeping out random spiders and such. They can leave “deposits” in addition to webs.

Edited by betacygni, 26 January 2023 - 01:52 AM.