Cold temperatures.

[Randoma]

I want to stargaze tonight, but I'm not sure how well my telescope would work in -10 Celcius, i put it out 30 minutes ago to cool down, i'll probably stargaze a lot later since the cooldown time will be huge, but how good will it work in the cold?

[alowen]

-10 ?!?!?!? where are you?

Al

[Randoma]

Estonia, it's been a tad warmer usually but it's -10 today.

[alowen]

Thats dedication my friend,

Al

[alowen]

Just a thought, does dewing become an issue when its that cold ? I'm guessing not due to the moisture being solid, as it were!?!?!?

Al

[shaunster]

Just a thought, does dewing become an issue when its that cold ? I'm guessing not due to the moisture being solid, as it were!?!?!?

Al

At these temps the problem is ice on the lens, not dew !!

[alowen]

As i thought (solid).

Al

[Randoma]

Well atleast it isn't snowing and I'm used to the cold, not much dedication needed.

[kniclander]

my experience (from serbian winter) is that at about -10 the gunk that greases the foucuser starts getting sticky and about -15 the alt movement starts to sieze up. below that your eyeball sticks to the lens and you have to stop.

[Randoma]

So it'll be alright mostly?

[AndyH]

Your scope should be fine. Some of the Kielder star parties have been pushing those temperatures. Just keep yourself warm.

Cheers,

Andy.

[bcfcciderhead]

The coldest i have done is -2, had frost on the tube and when packing up it looked like a little on the sec mirror, just becareful when you put it away as things start to melt/thaw, keep the ota point down

[HenryW]

It wouldn't be a problem. I spent a few hours in -17C with my SW200 EQ5 synscan last month. The OTA looked like inside a fridge after the session:) and some ice on the EP which was easily resolved with an hairdryer

Cheers Henry

[Moonshane]

I agree completely. recently I have regularly had ice on my scope (and my legs etc) and the scope has been fine. just let everything dry out properly before packing up.

[Randoma]

Everything went fine, moon was crispy great, jupiter was nice too, not that nice, but I'm on a default 10mm, and it was getting foggy, couldnt get any more views for one simple reason.

I think my right nut is frozen.

[AndyH]

:D:D

[Moonshane]

I bet he's glad he's not a brass monkey

[Moonshane]

I think my right nut is frozen.

I think that's the funniest thing I have ever read on this forum