Celestron Aluminum Dew Shield with Cover Cap - 6"

9.5" Shield for Dew and Stray Light Control

This dew shield's primary function is to delay the formation of dew on your 6" SCT's corrector plate by reducing its exposure to the cold night sky. At 9.5" long, it creates a crucial buffer, allowing you to observe or image for longer periods before active heating is required. It also serves as a lens hood, blocking off-axis light from nearby sources from entering the optical tube, which noticeably increases image contrast by darkening the background sky.

Rigid Aluminum Body with Velvet-Lined Interior

Unlike flexible shields that can sag or deform, this shield is constructed from a solid aluminum cylinder that maintains its shape. This rigidity ensures it won't intrude into the light path and provides superior protection against accidental bumps in the dark. The interior is lined with black velvet, which absorbs moisture and traps any stray light that enters the tube, preventing internal reflections that can wash out faint details on planets or nebulae.

Integrated 1.25" Cable Slot and Dark Frame Cap

Designed for the modern astroimager, a 1.25" wide by 1.5" long slot at the base provides clean cable management for accessories like Celestron's Dew Heater Rings or a Hyperstar camera. This feature routes wires neatly without creating light leaks. The matching aluminum cover cap fits snugly over the front, protecting your optics from dust and allowing you to take bias and dark frames quickly without removing the entire shield from the telescope.

Celestron Rigid Dew Shield vs. Flexible Shields

Choosing between a rigid and a flexible dew shield involves a trade-off between stability and portability. While flexible shields are lighter and pack down smaller, they can lose their shape or sag into the optical path.

• Rigidity and Protection: The 1.2 lbs aluminum body offers far greater physical protection for the corrector plate and holds its circular shape perfectly, which is critical for Fastar imaging.
• Cable Management: The integrated 1.25" cable slot is a feature not found on most generic flexible shields, offering a superior solution for managing power and data lines.
• Storage: A flexible shield can be rolled up and stored in an accessory case. This rigid shield, with its 7.5" diameter, requires more storage space.