I am now the proud owner of...

[EdskiMax]

A Tal Barlow x2 - Everything looks really small through it... Maybe it will work better when I get my telescope & EP's :)

[LukeSkywatcher]

Nice barlow. I'm sure it will work just fine with a scope attached.

[EdskiMax]

Haha!!! I'd say so mate.. I'm like a child waiting for Santa..

Oh BTW Could you possibly give me a quick run do on how to cool the dob on leaving & entering the house?

[LukeSkywatcher]

Take it out. Remove cap. Place in a horizontal position and leave to cool. When you bring the scope back into the house and want the mirror to dry off..............again leave in a horizontal position but slightly pointing downwards.

There is much debate as to whether you should cap it or not when returning to the house. I'd be all for leaving the cap off while drying down.

[EdskiMax]

Ok.. I see Horizontal.. Thats the way.. I get you.. Cheers, I'll have to look more up on it also..

[LukeSkywatcher]

Thats why you leave the scope in a horizontal position.................so if it does rain it (the mirror) will not get wet. Dont leave it out in the rain anyway.

I doubt that anything will get into the Dob and setup home while its cooling.

The cap has to come off to allow the outside air to get to the mirror and equalise the temp.

[EdskiMax]

I only copped on to horizontal, so i edited my post.. About 30 mins to cool? Sounds good.. Buzzing to get this thing..

[LukeSkywatcher]

For a 200mm DOB..................i'd leave it cool for an hour. I think the "formula" for cooling is 5 mins per inch, so 200mm = 8" = 40mins cooling.

[EdskiMax]

Ok, thats grand Luke.. Really appreciate the advice.. Can I ask a silly question, If i didn't let it cool, could i do damage to the mirror?

[LukeSkywatcher]

no damage. just the views will not be as sharp. particularly on the planets

[EdskiMax]

Brilliant.. That clears a few simple questions up for me.. Got my Turn Left At Orion book today too.. Things are on the up..

[LukeSkywatcher]

Great book.