Astrozap Flexible Black Plastic for the 8" Astro-Tech AT8RC Ritchey-Chrétien astrograph, with two notches

AstroZap Flexible Dew Shield for Astro-Tech 8" RC with Dual Notches – Black

The AstroZap flexible dew shield is a lightweight, field-ready solution tailored specifically for the 8" Astro-Tech AT8RC Ritchey-Chrétien astrograph. Constructed from durable ABS-grade black plastic with a soft velvet-lined interior, this dew shield helps prevent the early onset of dew, improves contrast by blocking stray light, and provides a bit of physical protection to your optics in the field.

This version includes two precisely positioned notches in the body of the shield to accommodate the dovetail bars on both the top and bottom of the AT8RC. That means you can slide it on and secure it without having to remove or adjust any existing hardware—no fussing with your setup in the dark.

The wraparound design installs in seconds using a strong Velcro fastening strip and sits snugly around the front cell of your optical tube. Once in place, the interior flocking acts like a light trap, helping to suppress ambient light that might otherwise wash out the fine detail you’re after, whether you're observing or imaging.

Features:

• Custom fit for the Astro-Tech 8" Ritchey-Chrétien (AT8RC) telescope

• Two notches to accommodate dual dovetails (top and bottom)

• Flexible, lightweight ABS plastic for easy handling and transport

• Velvet-lined interior to reduce stray light and maximize image contrast

• Velcro closure for a secure, tool-free fit

• Helps delay dew formation on the front corrector plate

Observing Tip:

A dew shield like this one doesn’t just help with moisture—it's also one of the simplest upgrades you can make to improve contrast at the eyepiece or in your images. If you often observe under suburban lighting or have neighboring porch lights sneaking into your setup, the difference this shield makes is immediately noticeable.