Cold weather observation techniques

Does anyone have any suggestions for cold weather observation techniques?
There have been some really clear but cold nights here lately. While one
side of me wants to do some observing the other side of me doesn't want to
end up a meatsickle.

While one
side of me wants to do some observing the other side of me doesn't want to
end up a meatsickle.

The past 3-4 nights have been really clear here in Ontario but where my wife
and recently moved to it's been getting down to about -15F each night.

Because of that I decided I needed a different winter coat!

I found a 550 down parka made by The North Face (www.thenorthface.com) which
definately does the job. It kept me completely warm the other night when I was
outside for about 2 hours. They are a little on the expensive side---mine was
about $300 U.S., but it was definately worth it. I wasn't hot or cold, I was
just at a comfortable temperature.

This coat made me a fan of their gear and I went back and bought some fleece
underwear yesterday too.


Todd

http://www.backyardastronomy.com
http://www.skynewsmagazine.com
http://www.members.aol.com/tdcarls/s...otography.html

While one
side of me wants to do some observing the other side of me doesn't want to
end up a meatsickle.

The past 3-4 nights have been really clear here in Ontario but where my wife
and recently moved to it's been getting down to about -15F each night.

Because of that I decided I needed a different winter coat!

I found a 550 down parka made by The North Face (www.thenorthface.com) which
definately does the job. It kept me completely warm the other night when I was
outside for about 2 hours. They are a little on the expensive side---mine was
about $300 U.S., but it was definately worth it. I wasn't hot or cold, I was
just at a comfortable temperature.

This coat made me a fan of their gear and I went back and bought some fleece
underwear yesterday too.


Todd

http://www.backyardastronomy.com
http://www.skynewsmagazine.com
http://www.members.aol.com/tdcarls/s...otography.html

While one
side of me wants to do some observing the other side of me doesn't want to
end up a meatsickle.

The past 3-4 nights have been really clear here in Ontario but where my wife
and recently moved to it's been getting down to about -15F each night.

Because of that I decided I needed a different winter coat!

I found a 550 down parka made by The North Face (www.thenorthface.com) which
definately does the job. It kept me completely warm the other night when I was
outside for about 2 hours. They are a little on the expensive side---mine was
about $300 U.S., but it was definately worth it. I wasn't hot or cold, I was
just at a comfortable temperature.

This coat made me a fan of their gear and I went back and bought some fleece
underwear yesterday too.


Todd

http://www.backyardastronomy.com
http://www.skynewsmagazine.com
http://www.members.aol.com/tdcarls/s...otography.html

"Mark C. Lepkowski" wrote in message
.. .
Does anyone have any suggestions for cold weather observation techniques?
There have been some really clear but cold nights here lately. While one
side of me wants to do some observing the other side of me doesn't want to
end up a meatsickle.

Lots of layers.
Plenty of insulation for the head, or your toes and fingers will never be
warm (the brain has an obvious protocol as to where the heat goes). A
second wool hat over the first solved my cold toe problem.
Hand warmers in the pockets.
A shelter from the wind, if possible.
Make sure you are not dehydrated.

Equipment can be a problem too. My wife was out last night and her
eyepieces kept fogging over because her eyes were watering and very mosit.
A Kendrick eyepiece heater, or heated eyepiece box would be good.

Clear skies, Alan

"Mark C. Lepkowski" wrote in message
.. .
Does anyone have any suggestions for cold weather observation techniques?
There have been some really clear but cold nights here lately. While one
side of me wants to do some observing the other side of me doesn't want to
end up a meatsickle.

Lots of layers.
Plenty of insulation for the head, or your toes and fingers will never be
warm (the brain has an obvious protocol as to where the heat goes). A
second wool hat over the first solved my cold toe problem.
Hand warmers in the pockets.
A shelter from the wind, if possible.
Make sure you are not dehydrated.

Equipment can be a problem too. My wife was out last night and her
eyepieces kept fogging over because her eyes were watering and very mosit.
A Kendrick eyepiece heater, or heated eyepiece box would be good.

Clear skies, Alan

"Mark C. Lepkowski" wrote in message
.. .
Does anyone have any suggestions for cold weather observation techniques?
There have been some really clear but cold nights here lately. While one
side of me wants to do some observing the other side of me doesn't want to
end up a meatsickle.

Lots of layers.
Plenty of insulation for the head, or your toes and fingers will never be
warm (the brain has an obvious protocol as to where the heat goes). A
second wool hat over the first solved my cold toe problem.
Hand warmers in the pockets.
A shelter from the wind, if possible.
Make sure you are not dehydrated.

Equipment can be a problem too. My wife was out last night and her
eyepieces kept fogging over because her eyes were watering and very mosit.
A Kendrick eyepiece heater, or heated eyepiece box would be good.

Clear skies, Alan

"CHASLX200" wrote in message
...
[SNIP], i dont take the scope out when it's below 45 degrees! It
makes for bad seeing anyways. [SNIP]

Chas,

Not always. I took Sue's 10" f/6 out one very cold night to measure where
all the eyepieces focused in preparation for mounting a new focuser. It
turned out the seeing was quite good, and I had some unexpectedly fine views
of Jupiter. In general, though, you are right, and it is a good excuse for
staying in on cold nights g.

Clear skies, Alan

"CHASLX200" wrote in message
...
[SNIP], i dont take the scope out when it's below 45 degrees! It
makes for bad seeing anyways. [SNIP]

Chas,

Not always. I took Sue's 10" f/6 out one very cold night to measure where
all the eyepieces focused in preparation for mounting a new focuser. It
turned out the seeing was quite good, and I had some unexpectedly fine views
of Jupiter. In general, though, you are right, and it is a good excuse for
staying in on cold nights g.

Clear skies, Alan

"CHASLX200" wrote in message
...
[SNIP], i dont take the scope out when it's below 45 degrees! It
makes for bad seeing anyways. [SNIP]

Chas,

Not always. I took Sue's 10" f/6 out one very cold night to measure where
all the eyepieces focused in preparation for mounting a new focuser. It
turned out the seeing was quite good, and I had some unexpectedly fine views
of Jupiter. In general, though, you are right, and it is a good excuse for
staying in on cold nights g.

Clear skies, Alan