40 replies to this topic

[grace]

Hi all,

I have read a lot of discussions about storing telescopes here. It seems to me that all solutions are viable (horizontal, vertical, mirror top, mirror bottom) but I am not really able to get confident. Please, validate my thinking...

I need to store the tube of my 8in dob vertically, separate from its base, due to space constraints in my apartment. The dust cover is not flat, I fear that storing it with the mirror on the top would lead to instability and possibly to crack the dust cover due to the weight of the tube. Without dust cover, I fear I would damage the rim. Hence, I plan to cover the tube in its plastic bag, then zip it in its carry-bag, and have it sit on a thick layer of cardboard in a corner, mirror on the floor side (bottom).

 

Anything terribly wrong??

[maniack]

I'm not a dob person, but I can't imagine storing the tube upside down with the mirror on top. All of the weight would be on the top which is a recipe for disaster. Also the tube would never be in that configuration in use.

[therealdmt]

I just leave mine (10" GSO, like an Apertura) stored vertically in its base, mirror of course at the bottom, like in use if the scope were pointing upwards to zenith. Unless maybe if the base were collapsible/foldable (which could be nice, but mine isn’t), I don’t see a way that the scope and base could be stored [in the same room] that would take up less space

[grace]

Thank you, I already feel better! Indeed, mirror on top feels weird, but I did find references to that storage configuration here and there!

[Jon Isaacs]

Grace:

 

Hello and to Cloudy Nights.

 

I would not store a Dob upside-down.  The only thing keeping the mirror from falling are the mirror clips and while they are probably adequate for the task, if something does go wrong, it a disaster.  

 

I store my Dobs vertically with the cover in place.  The best practice is to also put a cover over the upper end of the scope including the focuser etc.  A trash bag works.  The only reason not to store a Dob vertically if it is too tall. Then I store it at an angle.

 

 

Jon

Edited by Jon Isaacs, 08 February 2025 - 04:51 AM.

[Piero DP]

I also store my dobs vertically.

Both my dobs are stored in my garage at almost ambient temperature. They are stored horizontally only when they are taken in following a session out as they tend to have dew (or ice). There are also few times where the outside temperature increases from below 0C to let's say 10C in a few hours due to the jetstream. Again, due to the humidity, this can cause dew formation. Thankfully this only happens a couple of times in a year. I usually turn a dessicant dehumidifier on too in these cases.

[northernmike]

I store mine verticaly also , mirror at the bottom and even with the dust cap on , I use 2 shower caps , one at each end to prevent dust from coming in.

[Jon Isaacs]

I store mine verticaly also , mirror at the bottom and even with the dust cap on , I use 2 shower caps , one at each end to prevent dust from coming in.

 

 

Jon

[grace]

Thanks for the additional confirmations.

Just for fun: while reading other threads on this (where I also encountered Jon’s picture 😀), I ended up asking ChatGPT. Not sure on what it was trained, but the answer is surprising, which also pushed me to check here your practical experience…

[ChatGPT excerpt follows]
Storing a reflector telescope vertically with the mirror side down (resting on the primary mirror) is not recommended for several reasons:

Potential Issues:
1. Stress on the Primary Mirror: The weight of the entire optical tube assembly would put unnecessary pressure on the mirror, which can lead to stress fractures, deformation, or damage to the mirror’s surface over time.
2. Collimation Drift: The pressure on the mirror cell can affect the alignment of the optics (collimation), requiring more frequent adjustments.
3. Dust and Moisture Risk: If there’s any opening or gap, dust and moisture could settle around the mirror more easily when it’s facing downward, potentially causing corrosion or mold growth, especially in humid environments.
4. Risk of Damage: The mirror is often not designed to bear weight. Any accidental jolt or shift could crack the mirror or damage the support system.

Better Storage Options:
• Vertical Storage (Mirror Side Up): You can store it vertically with the mirror facing up as long as it’s securely supported. Use a dust cap to prevent debris from settling inside.
• Horizontal Storage: Ideally, store the telescope horizontally on padded supports. This distributes the weight evenly, reducing stress on the optics.
• Protective Coverings: Regardless of position, keep the telescope covered to protect against dust and moisture.

Would you like tips on how to create a safe storage setup for your telescope?

[A Star Geezer]

Just my $0.02 worth. I believe that on a dobsonian the mirror is designed to be on bottom of scope and all the mounting hardware is designed to hold it this way. Having it up side down ( mirror on top) places strain on the mounting hardware that it was not designed for. Just something to think about

Edited by A Star Geezer, 09 February 2025 - 10:41 AM.

[sevenofnine]

In our very wet Winters, I store my Dob inside in it's base vertically. I put the cap on and a shower cap on the bottom. During our long dry Summer months, it's stored outside on an enclosed deck with a Telegizmo 365 cover. The capped scope gets desiccants tucked under the cover to keep moisture at bay. So far, this method works well. Good luck with yours!   

 

.

Edited by sevenofnine, 08 February 2025 - 11:43 AM.

[A Star Geezer]

I think the stresses Grace mentioned would be caused by standing the Dob mirror down and resting on the mirror locking knobs. If left in the rocker box this problem would be negated. No experience just something I read somewhere.

[Richie2shoes]

My apertura had additional holes in the mirror cell that allowed me to add 3 wooden feet.  My scope sits upright on those.  Full support without contact to the locking nuts or collimation screws.

[dave253]

Ours live outside covered, vertical.

 

Some dust and cobwebs etc do accumulate over time, so we just wash the mirrors about every two years.

No problems in 8 years.

[izar187]

Hi all,

I have read a lot of discussions about storing telescopes here. It seems to me that all solutions are viable (horizontal, vertical, mirror top, mirror bottom) but I am not really able to get confident. Please, validate my thinking...

I need to store the tube of my 8in dob vertically, separate from its base, due to space constraints in my apartment. The dust cover is not flat, I fear that storing it with the mirror on the top would lead to instability and possibly to crack the dust cover due to the weight of the tube. Without dust cover, I fear I would damage the rim. Hence, I plan to cover the tube in its plastic bag, then zip it in its carry-bag, and have it sit on a thick layer of cardboard in a corner, mirror on the floor side (bottom).

 

Anything terribly wrong??

As others have shared, storing it with the mirror near the ground, with the scope facing up is much preferred.

 

The only issue with this method would be from condensation forming,

after bringing a cold scope back indoors, into warm inside air.

There are instances in winter, where one can end up with water, just a bit, pooling on the mirror.

I have experienced this when bringing my cold newts, into a warm house after cold observing.

 

A counter measure for this is to close the tube, top and bottom,

then bag or cover or wrap the scope tube, before bringing it into the warm appartment.

So it will then slowly warm up, and condensation will be less likely to form inside the scope.

After it has warmed up for a while, then check it inside, to make sure no condensation collected there.

You can use a blow dryer to dry it, if any did.

 

With a little experimentation with what you have at hand to do this, if it is an issue,

you will figure out an easy thermal insulating something, for any condensation that tries to form.

Scope bag, an old extra coat, a throw blanket, whatever will temporarily work.

[doug mc]

Some people I know stored a 12 inch dob upright  with  the mirror at the bottom. Unfortunately for them they didn't seal the optical tube properly. Spider and other insect droppings made a mess of the main mirror coating. Horizontal storage for me.

[Jon Isaacs]

Some people I know stored a 12 inch dob upright  with  the mirror at the bottom. Unfortunately for them they didn't seal the optical tube properly. Spider and other insect droppings made a mess of the main mirror coating. Horizontal storage for me.

 

The lesson here is to properly cover the OTA at both ends.

 

Jon

[AlamoBob]

That ChatGPT blurb is misleading!  It says "mirror up" but it means "Mirror FACING up" - just like everybody else here is saying.
But you need to protect that delicate mirror like it's your daughter.  Belt AND suspenders!  Rigid dust cover AND plastic garbage bag AND a whole tube cover, AND seal up any openings at the bottom end, so spiders don't crawl in there and spin a web over your precious glass!

 

The following should be considered humor:

Maybe add moth balls (the moths will hate you for that), and Garlic (will that repel bats?) and habanero powder (but not on the glass!!!)

Circle it 3 times clockwise with a Sage smudge stick.  Maybe a circle of corn meal around it on the floor.

 

Oh yeah - maybe "damp rid" if you live in a humid place.

Edited by AlamoBob, 12 February 2025 - 11:20 AM.

[grace]

Crystal-clear now! :-D

[izar187]

No moth balls, nor powder, nor anything else needed, nor should be used.

The newt in the original question is being kept in an apartment.

The only real possible issue is condensation from a cold scope

coming inside into warm indoors air, because it is winter now.

The workaround is to insulate the tube somewhat, when bringing

it in, so it warms up slowly, and check it after so you know it's dry.

Then just store it capped. Shower caps work for this too.

 

It can be aired out for a while also, after it is warmed back up.

The real culprit here is putting away the scope wet,

because you didn't know condensation had formed in the closed

up scope, after you brought it inside into the warm air.

 

If the scope gets frosty on a winter night, and you are bringing it inside,

wrap it up again, with whatever is at hand, to let it warm up slowly.

And plan on drying it off, as needed. You can blow dry it also.

 

When I first began telescoping, I was in an apartment too.

Had to bring my scope in from the cold all winter, or not use it.

There is no reason not to use it, as long as it's put away dry.

[dnrmilspec]

Here is the danger of ChatGPT advice.

 

Potential Issues:

1. Stress on the Primary Mirror: The weight of the entire optical tube assembly would put unnecessary pressure on the mirror, which can lead to stress fractures, deformation, or damage to the mirror’s surface over time.

 

 

In no way can I imagine this to be an issue unless you remove the mirror and stack everything on it.  I recommend you not remove the mirror and stack everything on it. 

 

Story.

 

I once lived in El Centro California.  (Don't ask.)  On Oct 15, 79 IIR we had a 6.5 earthquake very near to where I lived.  Because I was a single man in my late 20s in those days, and, you might say, focused on things not scientific, I had put my Meade 826 tube by the front door, on carpet, with the mirror at the top.  After the earthquake I helped clean up at my office and went home only to find the 18" block patio wall in front of my door had fallen and blocked the door.  So I hauled away the blocks and entered to find that my telescope had not fallen down but just about everything else in the apartment had.  From this I divined that I was chosen to be an amateur astronomer.  This revelation has cost me a lot of money and more than one girlfriend in the ensuing years. 

 

That said. 

 

Mirror down cap on tube, and don't stress the dust.  It is going to get on your mirror anyway, mostly deposited there by the flashlight you will shine down the tube.  

[WadeH237]

...I ended up asking ChatGPT. Not sure on what it was trained, but the answer is surprising, which also pushed me to check here your practical experience…

The moral to the story here is to never trust a large language model AI if a wrong answer has consequences.

[csrlice12]

Horizontally...if any condensation forms, it will run off.  In the vertical position, it will pool on the mirror.

[WISDOC]

Store it vertically in the base just like you are about to use it. That's what it's designed for. Plastic cover on top and a shower cap on the bottom. 
 I use my Apertura outside in some very cold temperatures. When I bring it in I leave it diagonally in the rocker box for an hour or so to warm up. I have only had condensation form on the mirror once . Compared to outside here in the winter the inside air is dry enough to suck any moisture away as soon as it forms. I worry more about the cheap particle board rockerbox supplied with the ota. I intend to make a plywood rocker box when the weather warms up here. That would be April or May..

  No frosty mug affect allowed on scopes around here. I store my scope in a four season porch. The air is not as humid in the porch as in the house. If it was I would probably lay the ota horizontally on the floor for a bit till it warms up. Then back in the rocker box.

  Clear skies and keep looking up. Doc

[TelescopeBah]

I know that you said that you don't have much space, but I like the horizontal position because the dust and such doesn't settle on it, keeps the mirror clean longer.