A Squatter in my Scope

[r3i]

I've just had to dismantle my RC OTA to evict a spider who'd made itself at home inside it and had begun to cover the mirror and criss-cross the tube with its web.

I guess it's just part of the joys of having an open tube design. My old SCT may have been a dew magnet but at least it was spider proof .

[Astralstroll]

That's always a worry of mine. I wonder how fast a spider could get to work building a web if they got into the scope unnoticed?

[Tim]

a couple of hours for a decent web :/

[Astralstroll]

They could be making a good start whilst the scope cooled down, unless they don't spin webs in the dark.

[r3i]

My guest was quite a small chap and had only managed to spread an array of fine threads rather than a full blown web.

Fortunately it was quite easy to remove the rear cell on the RC so if it happens again, it's no great hardship.

[Superdavo]

Thats scary! It's certainly a reason to leave all your dust caps on!

[ezekiel]

Quick job for the Hoover taking care of the spider first of course

[r3i]

Thats scary! It's certainly a reason to leave all your dust caps on!

I do but they can get in whilst you're observing.

[todd8137]

Hows the spider well i hope

pat

[Cath]

I thought all open telescope tubes had to have a spider in there ?

[baggywrinkle]

At least spiders in the UK are harmless and luckily I do not own an open framed 'scope here. If I did it could soon become home to the Redback, a sort of black widow with an England strip, not deadly but a nasty bite.

Normaly found in the garden but with winter coming in they like to move indoors.