Can You Leave A Telescope Outside? (Explained)

Thinking about leaving your telescope outside so it’s ready for stargazing anytime? Hold on!  

While it sounds convenient, there might be some problems.

In this post, I’ll explain why you shouldn’t leave your telescope outside, and what to do instead.

Why You Shouldn’t Leave A Telescope Outside

Leaving your telescope outside exposed to the elements is generally not recommended as it can cause serious damage and degrade your expensive equipment over time.

Also Read: Can you use a telescope through a window

Here are some of the main reasons why you shouldn’t leave your telescope outdoors:

Weather

One of the biggest threats to an unprotected outdoor telescope is the weather.

Rain, snow, frost, and moisture can cause serious damage to both the optical parts and the structure of the telescope.

Water can build up on the lenses and mirrors, leading to clouding, stains, and permanent harm. 

It can also seep into the tube assembly, causing rust and corrosion over time.

Temperature Changes

Even if precipitation isn’t an issue, the constant temperature fluctuations that happens outdoors can impact your telescope’s performance.

The quick drop in temperature at night and the rise during the day can strain the metal parts, possibly throwing the optics out of alignment.

When it’s extremely cold, the lubricants might thicken.

And in excessive heat, plastic parts can become brittle and crack more easily.

Dust And Debris

If you leave your telescope’s optics out in the open, they’ll gather dust, pollen, and other tiny stuff from the air as time goes on. 

This can scatter light, mess up image quality, and even scratch the fragile glass surfaces if you don’t clean them carefully and often enough. 

Also Read: Can you take a telescope on a plane

Plus, things like leaves, twigs, and bird droppings might end up falling into the tube, which isn’t great either.

Security

Leaving your telescope unattended outdoors also puts it at risk of theft or vandalism.

Even if it’s locked down, someone might still mess with it out of curiosity, which could mess up the careful alignment you’ve worked hard to achieve.

At worst, it’s an inviting target for troublemakers.

Do you really want to take the chance of your valuable investment being stolen, damaged, or tampered with?

What Should You Do Instead

Now, if you’re just going to be outside for a short observing session (like an hour or two), you can leave your telescope set up.

However if it’s going to be more than that, do these:

For Short Periods

If you are keeping it outside for a short while, you can cover it up and keep it there.

You can use a terry cloth cover or a lightweight tarp to this.

This will shield your telescope from dew forming on the optics and to keep dust and debris away.

That said, if you have a covered porch or shed where you can keep your telescope, that’s a better option than leaving it completely exposed.

For Longer Periods

The safest bet is to take apart your telescope entirely and bring it back indoors.

BTW, check out our 10″ Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope

This avoids all the risks of leaving it out – exposure to precipitation, temperature changes, debris accumulation, and potential theft or accidents.

If you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disassembling, cleaning, and storing your telescope correctly, you’ll keep it in great shape for many more years.

Putting in a bit of extra effort to safeguard your significant investment is definitely worth it.

How To Bring Your Telescope Inside

Here’s the best way to bring and store your telescope inside:

1. If your telescope is large or has multiple parts,disassemble it first

2. Use the lens caps or dust covers that came with your telescope to protect the objective lens and eyepiece from dust and scratches.

3. Lift it up. Telescopes can be heavy, so lift with proper form to avoid back strain.  

If possible, have someone assist you for larger telescopes.

4. Hold the telescope by its sturdiest parts, like the base or tube mount. But avoid putting stress on the optical tube or focuser.

5. Take it inside. Set it down in a dry, clean, and dust-free place.

6. Let it cool down if there’s a significant temperature difference between outside and inside, let the telescope sit for 30 minutes to an hour before covering it completely.

This reduces condensation buildup. 

Wrapping Up

If you’re looking for a way to keep your telescope ready for quick observing sessions, you can consider a permanent observatory or observatory shed. 

But for most people, it’s best to store your telescope indoors when not in use.

FAQs

How Long Can You Leave A Telescope Outside

If the weather is clear, you can leave it outside for an observing session (1-2 hours). But for anything more than that, you need to cover it properly.

Can You Leave A Telescope Outside In The Winter

No, you should never leave a telescope outside in winter, even for short periods.  Freezing temperatures and snow can damage the optics. Plus, frost will form on the optics too.