Unusual R-C Light Leak - HELP!

Not having a truss type RC, I have seen where many use a shroud on theirs, which could help control stray light.

Much like my dew shields do for my refractors.

If you could do a live view you might be able to move a shade around to find where the light is coming from.

Like Andrea sez, maybe a neighbor or even some more distant light source is buggering you up?

andrea tasselli · Mar 13, 2026, 04:13 PM

I would be more concerned about the stray light from an off-side star if I were you. When I get a bright corner (or side) is usually some stray light from the neighbours' security light (thanks so much!).

And it should be noted that if there’s a security camera nearby it’s illuminating the area in the near Ir 24/7

SonnyE · Mar 13, 2026 at 05:15 PM

Not having a truss type RC, I have seen where many use a shroud on theirs, which could help control stray light.

Much like my dew shields do for my refractors.

If you could do a live view you might be able to move a shade around to find where the light is coming from.

Like Andrea sez, maybe a neighbor or even some more distant light source is buggering you up?

Ordered!

Over on the CN Cass & Casses forum, users are installing flocking paper in their baffle tubes and praise it highly. I own such a scope and ordered the paper, but have yet to install. I will try it in the R-C first.

Gary Seven · Mar 13, 2026, 08:50 PM

Brian Puhl · Mar 13, 2026 at 06:31 PM

Red light in the corner, probably coming from a red light on your mount, or something bright and red near the scope. Seen it before.

I just processed my M97 data - the project was 90 minutes shy of my desired exposure time in H-a and Oiii, but I wanted to see if the problem was present in that data.

And it is in both H-a and Red. Minimal to nothing in Blue, Green, and Oiii. Hopefully MSG and DBE can tame it.

I think the camera and filters are cleared. I spent all fall and winter with the f/3.3 Takahashi in the dome, zero problems. The issue is the baffling of this scope.

I friend of mine has/had a truss type RC and his problems were quite baffling… His seemed to take as much maintenance as a B-1b bomber.

But when it worked, Ooh La La, what a great picture!

Hope it works out for you!

I also have RC10 truss type GSO rebranded [TS Optics], i bought it with a shroud, but i ordered a baffle 3D printed that came with one teeth for mounting as broken, so i won’t use it unless i buy another one, i didn’t bother for replacement and it wasn’t expensive to ask for refund, all that just to make sure i have less light leak problem if possible, i hope to find a good material baffle, and also i need to replace the focuser and get a mount for it then i will see if i can see any issue in my data results.