Below Freezing Temperatures

[Neptune38]

Hi all, probably a stupid question, but just wondered, will temperatures below freezing damage my telescope, lenses etc, if so what is the safest temp below freezing to be outside at? Thanks.

[Skipper Billy]

The only stupid question is the one you dont ask !!!

I have used camera gear regularly for long periods in temps down to minus 25ºC with no ill effects whatsoever.

My scope and associated gear - cameras, filter wheel, electronic focuser, mount etc have regularly been covered in heavy haw frost for many hours with no ill effects.

The main issues I have found are that when its below freezing you can halve the expected capacity of any battery and last night (-10º for 5 hours) the cables from the mount and associated equipment were covered in haw frost/ice and were extremely stiff.

In the past I have brought my scope and anything attached to it inside after a session and let it thaw/dry naturally but when my obsy is finished it will stay outside permanently.

[Moonshane]

you will damage yourself before you damage your scope.

[Neptune38]

The only stupid question is the one you dont ask !!!

I have used camera gear regularly for long periods in temps down to minus 25ºC with no ill effects whatsoever.

My scope and associated gear - cameras, filter wheel, electronic focuser, mount etc have regularly been covered in heavy haw frost for many hours with no ill effects.

The main issues I have found are that when its below freezing you can halve the expected capacity of any battery and last night (-10º for 5 hours) the cables from the mount and associated equipment were covered in haw frost/ice and were extremely stiff.

In the past I have brought my scope and anything attached to it inside after a session and let it thaw/dry naturally but when my obsy is finished it will stay outside permanently.

Luckily, i don't have a battery to worry about, as i have a manual scope, still i don't think i would be able to cope with hours outside in these temps 

[Grotemobile]

Lucky enough, the South of England

does not get down to -25c.  

 is all we get.

Steve.

[northcanadian]

Hi .....my scope is stored outside in an obsey/shed and is stored there all winter.  My own personal record for outside imaging (last winter) is -14 degrees C...though through the winter we do get quite colder temperatures with no adverse effects on the scope and gear at all.

Cheers

Roger

[astrofox]

I agree with Skipper Billy, The only thing I damage is myself being toooooooooo cold

[laudropb]

The only thing the will suffer from freezing temperatures is you.

[kendg]

Scope is outside all the time in winter. Coldest I've done any imaging at was -15C. No I'll effects to anything yet. Laptop has a SSD so no spinning disk of rust to worry about. Nice to do it from inside the house with a nice rum and hot cocoa. -5C or so is my limit for staying outside. I don't mind that at all. Got some usb powered electric gloves that work not to bad. This spring I start on a small obsy.