You have finished your night of observation, pack everything up, and want to store it in a storage company. How should you pack your telescope (and binoculars)?
Perhaps, you are often out by car, and the telescope is transported in the trunk. Are you wondering whether it's best to leave it in the garage?
In this article, I will overview some things that are better to do when storing and packing the telescope.
Consider the Storage Space
Perhaps you are planning to buy your next telescope. It is best to think in advance about where you will store your new telescope when it is not in use.
At first, I misjudged the amount of space that a telescope in a storage company and its accessories could take up. Depending on the type, how big your telescope will be, and how much space is available, you should plan.
A fully assembled Dobsonian, for example, would take up less space than one with a tripod, depending on how you set it up. If the space for storing the telescope becomes tight, disassemble it and keep it in the box. I personally favor this approach.
Pack and Store Your Telescope In a Cool Dry Place
First of all, I recommend that you put the dust caps and covers back on so that no dust can get in while the telescope is not in use. If you don't have professional transport cases or bags, pack them back in the original packaging and fix them with tape.
You also prevent insects from finding a new home. The same recommendation also applies to your accessories: Put your accessories back in the original packaging they came in or in another suitable box.
Personally, I use a waterproof and dustproof transport container to store my accessories. This keeps dust and moisture out, and your equipment is not affected. Due to the dustproof storage with foam padding, a fungal infestation is not an issue.
If you want to store your telescope in the apartment without a professional container such as a suitcase or box, I recommend storing it with the opening facing down. As is known, dust tends to settle downwards.
It is always preferable to store the telescope in your cool, dry basement. It would be best to use a good dehumidifier that allows a maximum of 60% relative humidity. Also, make sure to protect the telescope from direct sunlight.
What To Do If The Telescope Has Been Stored in Wet Place for a Short Period?
There is a simple solution for this: Buy sachets of silica gel and place them in the tube to remove moisture from the air.
After a few days, there are already "saturated" and then no longer work. However, you can regenerate the bags again at high heat and use additional, fresh silica gel bags during this time.
Silicate gel sachets are very cheap to buy. They are also available with a color indicator, so you can see when they become useless!
Do Not Leave Your Telescope Unprotected Outside
Of course, if you have one of the professional telescope protective covers for storage, you can occasionally store your telescope outside.
Without protection, moisture caused by fog and dew can damage your
telescope optics, even with protective caps.
Do Not Store Your Telescope In Hot Places
Some garages or sheds can become very hot. The same applies to storage near radiators of any kind. In the worst case, high heat in achromatic lenses can weaken the optical adhesive.
With reflector telescopes, heat can damage the surface of the mirror more quickly. Other types of telescopes can also suffer from extreme heat.