It's clear tonight. Something that happens maybe one night a month here in southeast Michigan. But it's cold. It's 2 degrees F, and will be -3 degrees F tonight. Should I go out and observe?
Time to break out the electric socks and extra batteries, long underwear, snow pants, sweat shirt, sweater, down coat, twin hats, down mits.
Did i mention the 10-13 MPH winds?
2009-01-16T14:50:22Z
My dob is low to the ground, and steady like a rock. The astrophotographers are packing it in, and i still haven't noticed it. Wind is NOT an issue, except as wind-chill.
2009-01-16T16:26:27Z
I remember skiing with a wind breaker at 20 degrees F. Those days are long gone. And there's a difference between skiing hard and sitting at the eyepiece.
Astronomical night is here. Time to go.
Anonymous2009-01-16T14:29:55Z
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at least take your binoculars out for a few minutes. that's what i did last time it was clear, colder (-23 c) but no wind.
clear nights are rare in these parts too at this time of year... :-(
I sometimes do, but mainly it's to see something special, like an eclipse or an occultation, or to determine the celestial coordinates of a planet or asteroid. I don't engage in outdoor astronomical art appreciation when the temperature is below 20F. It's zero Fahrenheit here at the moment.
When I have to be out in subzero temperatures, I wear this stuff:
* Woolrich 88% merino wool, thick knee-high socks * Merrell Alpine mocs or Montrail Torre boots * A pair of cotton boxer briefs * A pair of light drawstring exercise pants * A pair of heavy wool hunting pants (with suspenders) * A tencel or cotton-polyester tee-shirt * A 80% silk, 20% cashmere long-sleeve shirt. * A two-ply cashmere sweater (turtleneck). * A four-ply cashmere cardigan (has a fold I can flip up as a collar) * A Carhartt acrylic-thinsulate facemask hat. * A Columbia omni-tech nylon wind-breaker (with hood to go over hat) * A pair of thin acrylic knit gloves inside a pair of leather work gloves
That does it for me. I can prance around outside for a good while with all that on. If it's night time, I also wear one of those lamps that strap around my head. It can shine a very bright white LED, a much dimmer white LED, and a pair of red LEDs (for astronomy, red light preserves the night vision).
The brave guy who does cold weather in shorts is probably a young fellow. We older guys don't crank out the metabolic watts that we once did.
If you're reasonably young and healthy, go for it!
I've regularly observed at temperatures down to -20C here in Canada, at least until the last few years when my arthritis haas started to become too painful for cold winter nights. I found my best observing was at my mother-in-law's farm, where I could alternate an hour or two of warmup with an hour or two of observing...I did that all night pretty regularly. Without a good "warmup hut" it's dangerous to spend more than an hour or two in temperatures that cold. Dress warmly with multiple layers, especially keeping feet and head warm, and try to protect yourself from wind.
The rewards of the winter sky are really worth it. Be sure to look on either side of Orion. Eridanus, to the right, contains many bright galaxies, and Monoceros, Canis Major and Puppis to the left contain dazzling open clusters and beautiful nebulae.
If your asking if it is safe to do so, then that depends on the safety equipment you possess. If you use the above mentioned articles, then I would presume that you are safe to go out and observe the sky.
I would however make a final suggestion. Eat a good hearty meal with extra protein and carbohydrates, as this will help keep you warm as your body metabolizes the food.
Good luck, and make sure to pack extra blankets in your car.
So, bitterly cold but dry, and almost no wind. Sounds like a good night to me. 30 minutes viewing should show you some good sights: binoculars: the Pleiades; telescope: the Great Nebula in Orion.