28 replies to this topic

[SeattleScott]

The condensation will cause droplets that will leave water spots on the mirror, which will slightly degrade performance. Especially if you get a lot of them. They can be cleaned off, but mirror cleaning is a hassle, and it tends to wash off some of the protective coatings even if you do it right. So basically it degrades performance, or if you clean the spots off, you restore performance but likely reduce the life of the mirror coating a little. Plus it is just a hassle to pull the mirror and clean it. And of course after you put the mirror back in, you have to collimate again.

[T1R2]

Yeah, keep the scope tilted sideways so moisture doesn't build up, not pointed directly at the sky for long periods of time, and if there is a big temp delta from the house to outside like in the dead of summer or winter it will fog over almost immediately, but there are things you can do like keep it in a room with a window that can be opened for about an HR or so before you go out to to equalize that temp delta. 

[todnik]

The condensation will cause droplets that will leave water spots on the mirror, which will slightly degrade performance. Especially if you get a lot of them. They can be cleaned off, but mirror cleaning is a hassle, and it tends to wash off some of the protective coatings even if you do it right. So basically it degrades performance, or if you clean the spots off, you restore performance but likely reduce the life of the mirror coating a little. Plus it is just a hassle to pull the mirror and clean it. And of course after you put the mirror back in, you have to collimate again.

This almost like watching children or baby sitting. Kind of full time work!

[todnik]

Yeah, keep the scope tilted sideways so moisture doesn't build up, not pointed directly at the sky for long periods of time, and if there is a big temp delta from the house to outside like in the dead of summer or winter it will fog over almost immediately, but there are things you can do like keep it in a room with a window that can be opened for about an HR or so before you go out to to equalize that temp delta. 

Thats good to know. Now if I can remember it.