Telescope storage; to shed or not to shed!

[Carl83]

Hi everyone,

I have a 200p on an eq5 mount on its way to me. Storage within the house will not be an option as the wife will kill me!

What's everyone's thoughts on storing in a metal shed? It will be quite hot in summer and blumming freezing in winter. Not sure if the scope will mind!

Am I being paranoid in worrying about it?

Cheers

Carl

[richbyers]

im no expert but in a metal shed that heat could cause some problems, especially in the hieght of summer...but others may have more informed input- just saying i would buy the wife a nice 'bribe'

[182570]

there are quite a few members who have metal sheds as roll off observatories,so I would expect that you would have no problem with temp variations:)

[Bizibilder]

Use a metal shed and make it so the roof opens - A "roll off Roof Observatory"! I use one myself and there is no problem with heat in the Summer as they are designed with roof vents to allow air circulation. Scopes are nowhere as sensitive as humans to what we consider "hot" and "cold". You will be fine leavoing the scope in the shed. Your main concern may well be dust and creepy-crawlies that will try to make their homes in your precious equipment.

(Have a look in my blog in my signature - around summer 2010 - to see how you can make a metal ROR observatory - nice bit of self-promotion!!)

[Tiddles]

Mine is stored in a weather tight shed. I just make sure I dry it out overnight in the house if it gets heavily dewed then store with a few sachets of Silica Gel in the OTA.

[Carl83]

Thanks all!

[mikeyrea]

Thanks tiddles - I've gatecrashed this thread and just realized why I kept all those little packets of silica gel!!!

[Carl83]

I've been reading about heavy dewing in the mornings on the primary mirror. I know about storing it face down to stop the mirror getting puddles on it. My main concern is rusting when dew forms and damage due to dew in general. Anyone had these problems?

[LukeSkywatcher]

I dont think summer in Surrey gets too hot. It should be ok.