Storing a telescope near a radiator

[Keva161]

Hi,

Iv'e recently reorganised some stuff and now have my telescope about a foot away from a radiator.

Is this too close?

I don't want it to get any condensation!

[Daniel-K]

why not just switch the rad off? stop any concerns then

[MikeWilson]

why not just switch the rad off? stop any concerns then

or down...

[skywatcher58gb]

It might take a long time to cool down when you first put it out for observing.

[Digz]

1356629708[/url'>' post='1754295']

Hi,

Iv'e recently reorganised some stuff and now have my telescope about a foot away from a radiator.

Is this too close?

I don't want it to get any condensation!

condensation could initially form as the scope may be hotter than usual before being taken outside, however as with any scope it should be adequately cooled, what this will mean is it will take longer to cool. Even cooled scopes can suffer condensation then you will need to look at dew shields etc.

I would be wary of introducing a thermal shock which could cause damage i.e. moving from a warm to a cold environment - but this would be from and extreme temperature change, so of minimal risk IMO. Having said that I would turn the rad off or down as suggested above.

HTH

[moriniboy]

When bringing in from outside I would let the condensation evaporate by keeping it away from a radiator. Once it has reached ambient temp and its clear you can then move it to your storage place.

I'm assuming that its a refrac or mak and you are worried about condensation inside the optics, have you considered a dessicant end cap which will get rid of any humidity within the ota

[Keva161]

When bringing in from outside I would let the condensation evaporate by keeping it away from a radiator. Once it has reached ambient temp and its clear you can then move it to your storage place.

I'm assuming that its a refrac or mak and you are worried about condensation inside the optics, have you considered a dessicant end cap which will get rid of any humidity within the ota

Thanks for the advice, I haven't considered one to be honest but I suppose it would be a worthy purchase.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I store my 8se about a foot or two away from a radiator. However its in a room that is rarely used. The heating is off more then it is on. Ive never had the lens fog up when i bring it outside because of the storage location.

If possible (storage space wise), store your scope in the coolest room in the house. That way, it will be as near to the ambient outside temp and not need as much cooling down.

What type of scope is it? If it is a refractor then they need almost no cooling down time when outside. By the time you have setup and ready to go it will be cooled.

I doubt if you will get any condensation build up on any scope.

[jabberwocky]

My dob is about 2 feet from a radiator and I've not noticed any issues.

[Mr Q]

Regardless of what type of radiator it is (steam, forced hot water, chemical, etc.), placing a scope that close to it puts the scope inside the radiator's heating convection air currents which can suck in all kinds of foreign matter that is damaging to your scope's optics not to mention air born dust and lint. Unless the scope is sealed somehow in an air tight protection, I wouldn't store it within several feet of any heating source.