Expert: Paul Wagner - 12/24/2005

Question
Hello Paul

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year,

Could you help me with a problem please?

I have recently moved from the UK to France and have a 10" (250cm) Newtonian Reflector which has motorised drive and "Go To" computer.

My problem is that being on a retirement income I cannot afford to build a proper observatory and carrying my telescope in and out is proving rather bad on my back! I have seen on the internet an American company that sells telescope covers that protect the instrument from heat and rain. This would be the answer to my problems as they appear affordable and practical, allowing me to leave the telescope out all year round, with easy access when I want to do some observing.

Can you tell me if you have any experience of these products and what your experience tells you of them? Obviously I wan't to look after my telescope and the electric motors.

Other than the covers I was wondering about fitting a large plastic box over the instrument that could be removed when necessary, but able to stand up to wind , sun and rain.

I would really appreciate your advice and thank you for offering your opinions on the web site.

Very best Wishes,
Keith

Answer
HI Keith:

Merry Christmas to you!  

Yes, you have now achieved amateur astronomy nirvana:  you finally can afford a big telescope, only to discover that it is too big to use! (I have a 17 inch reflector that poses EXACTLY the same problem!)  grin.  

In terms of a cover for your scope, any of your suggestions will work, short term.  But that's not really the problem.  Protecting the scope from rain is easiest--and good plastic tarp will work.  When wind gets involved, it gets a bit trickier, because you have to have something that won't blow over.  The professional covers that you have seen work reasonably well---but beware of condensation inside. IF you don't use your scope often, or at least air it out, the condensation can do as much damage as a good rain.  

There is one other option.  I know a few amateurs who have made very low profile moving dollies for their scopes.  They have a nice long ( for leverage ) removable ( for storage convenience ) handle, and a set of large wheels.  IF that would work for your current situation, you could store the scope in a clean, dry place, and just wheel it out when you are ready to use it.  

Hope that helps.

wishing you dark skies and clear seeing...

Paul Wagner