Jay:I am envious and glad there are folks like you out there. I observed M-42 early in the morning after the "trick or treaters" had left and we observed the Pleiades from SPOC two weeks ago. That will no doubt be just about the total extent of my winter observing. I have a 6" Dob in the garage for those exceptional winter nights from the back yard. I just happen to be one of those who do not do well with cold temperatures at all. Again, that is just me. Steve
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 10:52:24 -0600 From: jayleads@gmail.com To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Jupiter transit and GRS, Thurs Nov. 3 and Fri Nov. 5
Oh, winter doesn't mean the end of observing season. Indeed, for me and a few others the best views in northern Utah often come in the winter. What it depends on is the cloud cover for the two weeks around new moon. Also key it is just being prepared. Layers and the right layers are the key and not showing up with a thermal layer and jeans, that won't cut it and in my opinion, even in summer, jeans are a poor dress material because they are of cotton and cotton doesn't trap the heat as it soaks in moisture and keeps it next to the skin and makes you colder. Cotton won't retain warmth/body heat either. See this article: http://www.midwestweekends.com/plan_a_trip/outdoors_recreations/winter_play/... One thing for sure, having the clothing for winter observing in the field is another expense, one that some cannot afford, but it is the same price as an expensive eyepiece and can be done over time.
Mat and I were out in -6 degree F last winter and to be totally honest, we did not get cold at all. For me, the winter Milky Way and the objects found in the winter sky are superior to the summer ones. Perhaps a comparison is in order . . . but we'll see if anyone responds to this.
On Fri, Nov 4, 2011 at 10:46 PM, Canopus56 <canopus56@yahoo.com> wrote:
Ian, Glad you had a good time with it. One last peak before the winter season sets in. The clouds were too thick last night, so I didn't try. - Kurt
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-- Jay Eads _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php