TheSkySearchers

Did a two day test on a way to quicken cool down time for my 120mm f8 refractor. Both days the inside temperature was around 75 degrees, and outside temperature in the low 50s degrees. Cool down time was 30 minutes for each day. The first day I left the focuser inside the telescope. The second day I fully extended the focuser tube outside the telescope. I used the moon as my target for the test. The first day tube currents made the surface of the moon look like it was submerged in water. The second day the surface of the moon was steady and sharp at 133.33 magnification.

What do you do to quicken temperature acclimation of your telescope?

Nothing but plan ahead ahead. Gently slowly relaxes the glass. Set the OTA to cool soak in advance.

What do you do to quicken the temperature acclimation of your telescope?

I drink beer! It relaxes me so I don't worry about the speed of optical cooling so much.

Just sayin',
JT

Cooling fans is the way to go, but many don't want to modify thier ota,s, other then that just keep busy for 30 mins.

I would not really want to mount a cooling fan into a refractor tube.
These were designed for cooling Cat/ Mak tubes but work well for refractors as well.
http://www.lymax.com/

Yep planning ahead is actually the best idea. Having a beer doesn't hurt either

I am lucky that my 10" RC stays outside under covers almost all of the time. It would take a loooong time for that mirror to equalize!

ps; I don't think that pulling out the focuser would really make that much of a difference. Probably just seeing conditions.

I'm all for planning ahead to drink beer.

I set my telescope up. Go inside to drink some coffee with my wife and than go out again for some observing.

I would say just giving it time outside. My 10" lives outside in the shed all covered, so it's always acclimatized The fracs live in the basement, so they need time... As for speeding it up, I'll go with beer as well; unless it's early morning. Then I'll have coffee; no need for a wake 'n' bake

Lately with the temps in the teens to low 20's F (-10 to 0C), it takes about 45 minutes, especially for the long f/l ones.

I did discover one thing the other night when it was 15F (-10C). I took out my orange C80, which originally had the objective cover inside the aluminum dew shield. This was awkward, so I replaced it with one I made from a margarine container lid, some plastic and good ol' duct tape. Much easier, and it's a snug fit.
I let the scope sit for almost an hour. I went out, and saw I hadn't taken the cover off the dewshield. I went to do that, and for the life of me, it wouldn't budge! Seems the plastic contracts more/faster than aluminum in the cold...

Took the scope inside, was able to get it off after almost 15 minutes, took the scope back outside, let it cool down again...!! Lesson learned

Yup, time and beer; good call on both counts. And remove all plastic covers beforehand

All the best,