How do you stop condensation on your mirror after a cold night outside?

[ken spencer]

Hi all, at last clear skies but I noticed when I brought my DOB back into the house that the mirror looked steamed up. Is that going to leave smudges on the mirror over time? Is there a better way?

Thanks

ken

[brantuk]

I usually leave mine pointing just below horizontal for a couple of hours so any condensation drips out of the tube rather than onto the primary. It's best stood in a cool ish room or garage. Don't want it to warm up too quick - especially if it's been icy outside - or the mirror could crack. I wipe of the outside with a cloth - then put the cloth on the floor to catch the drips

[xyz]

Keep my Dob in the garage - that way, cool-down time is minimal and condensation on the primary does not happen - it's as cold in there as outside. The eyepieces, I bring into the house in a sealed container (ice-cream box with a bit of foam) and just leave them there until they go out again. My bins also stay in their box. My laptop ? I just cross my fingers and hope it's OK - so far so good.