What do people do when it rains?

[Luna Unicorn]

This is a silly question I know.but what do you do to protect your scope if you get caught out observing in the rain shower. Im guessing it can resist a bit of rain like bikes do and you dry it down but do I need to buy a cover?

Joanne

[Mondlicht13]

Hi Joanne

Don't know what the definitive answer will be.

Personally I always have a large black bin bag with me in case of a sharp unexpected rain shower.

Keeps water off sraight away then you can take it from there.

[long_arms]

Hello

First of all never attempt to dry the mirrors!

I'm not sure what the right thing to do is but personally, I undo the tube rings, pick up the scope (ota) and run it inside as quickly as possible aha!

Dan

[long_arms]

Obviously running isnt a good idea with a scope especially in the wet, I just mean I carefully get it inside as quickly as possible

[Charon]

Cry!

[Luna Unicorn]

I was thinking what if im on a hill and not near my car.the bin bag thing sounds useful!

Thanks

[ronin]

Couple of the large carrier bags that you can get from a few of the stores, they often do a standard sized one and a bigger one, get a few of the bigger ones.

And a golf umbrella, or better a fishing umbrella.

[E621Keith]

If there is any chance of raining, I'd use a binocular or my grab an go set up.

Fold the tripod legs, pick the whole thing up and take it inside.

Big scopes only come out when the sky is clear.

[Mezolitik]

I was thinking what if im on a hill and not near my car.the bin bag thing sounds useful!

Thanks

Roll it down the hill

[nederman63]

Another thing i never thought of, rain!

[midnight_sky_watcher]

Hi Joanne, I have had a waterproof cover made for my scopes, and that normally works a treat. There is no such a thing as a stupid question.

Grant......

Cornwall....

[cotterless45]

I use an old tent fly sheet especially if leaving gear out at star parties,

Nick.

[DeepThought]

Assuming you're in the UK I'd recommend these sites:

http://www.raintoday.co.uk

http://www.meteoradar.co.uk

They work OK on a smart phone and tell you exactly where it's raining and which way it's heading. The latter of the two updates at five minute intervals.

I swear by them for all my outdoor pursuits.

[Rich MedRev]

if rain is potentially likely to happen then I always have a Chiminea cover to hand which fits over my Dob to protect it in the short term.

Forewarned is forearmed with the UK weather.

[davew]

I always have a BBQ cover handy these days. The Chiminea cover sounds even better.

Save the scope if you can but first unplug the mount and then cover it. Fizzing noises from the mother board aren't funny and usually very expensive.

Dave.

[astrofox]

BBQ cover to hand and wait if I can till it ends or I am forced to move the whole tripod close to the house where I can dissasemble and move indoors

[glowjet]

It is not a daft question Joanne, especially if your out under what is a clear sky when rain drops start to fall, borne by the wind from an approaching rain storm, have a cover handy at all times, there have been plenty of suggestions so far for you to choose from. A plastic mac is also useful for your own protection

John.

[Luna Unicorn]

That's great! I have a chimnea cover I'll use that!!

[RikM]

I use BBQ cover as well for my EQ mounted scope but must look into a longer version for the Dob. A Chiminea cover sounds just the ticket.

[mijijim]

Hi,

Go inside and buy another TV eyepiece.

mijijim.

[wookie1965]

If its raining i use an umbrella keeps me dry oh you meant with a scope oh i don't take mine out in the rain.

[EBXL5]

Bin bags for me; simple, cheap, packs down small, lightweight.

[ollypenrice]

Our visitors bringing their own gear for the week all seem to have the same make of heavy duty plastic bag, shiny gold in colour, and sold by the astro outlets if memory serves. It's mainly the Dutch and Belgian astronomers who bring thier own kit so I don't know if UK outlets sell these bags but they keep the heat down as well as the wet out and seem very tough.

Olly

[scarp15]

If caught out by a sudden shower, I chuck an astro systems scope coat over the dob and wait it out. I also use one of these for the SCT. If relentless overnight rain at say a weekend star party, I prefer with my SCT, which is quite portable, to get it under the tent fly.

[the bishop]

i have used an US Army surplus rain poncho. (ebay)

the hood fits the end of the tube and the rest of it just drapes down

over the rest of the tube and the mount.

It’s lightweight and very waterproof,

nice and quick and easy.

folds up into a small pack

also great as a ground sheet