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orion61
Vendor(Clear Edge Optical)

Reged: 10/20/07

Loc: NW Iowa BURRRR

It's too cold out for observing when...
#5623318 - 01/14/13 07:58 PM

You try to observe and your eyes water so much you instantly freeze to the eyepiece, too cold.. tonight,
sorry Jupiter.

Post Extras:

MikeBOKC
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/10/10

Loc: Oklahoma City, OK

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: orion61]
#5623341 - 01/14/13 08:17 PM

I just checked the Jupiter weather. Temp at the top of the cloud belts is minus 145 celsius. Count your blessings in Iowa! It's a virtual heat wave!!

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yonkrz
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 11/16/06

Loc: SW Minnesota

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: orion61]
#5623376 - 01/14/13 08:34 PM

just came in,jupiter was pretty nice.But it was chilly.

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rmollise
Postmaster

Reged: 07/06/07

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: yonkrz]
#5623389 - 01/14/13 08:41 PM

You breathe out and you can see your breath.

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Don Taylor
sage

Reged: 07/12/09

Loc: Kansas

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: rmollise]
#5623405 - 01/14/13 08:47 PM

Yup - I was out last night working on a new (to me) scope. Only 50 degrees colder outside than inside. Hmmmmm could those be tube currents? Too cold for me. I lasted only about an hour and half. Couldn't figure out the nebulosity I saw everywhere until I realized my breath was frosting the eyepiece. I'm ready for summer.

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BRisley
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/04/06

Loc: SW Florida

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: Don Taylor]
#5623431 - 01/14/13 09:06 PM

Wimps!

I was out till 2am Sat imaging Jupiter and some double stars. Helps that we were the warmest spot in the nation!
Brian

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GeneT
Ely Kid

Reged: 11/07/08

Loc: South Texas

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: orion61]
#5623448 - 01/14/13 09:23 PM

When it is colder than 40 degrees F.

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herrointment
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/12/11

Loc: North of Hwy. 64

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: GeneT]
#5623471 - 01/14/13 09:35 PM

Below 10 F I don't have any fun but the code of conduct for the stoic scandahoovian says you must suffer. You may be offered coffee when you come in!

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Bill Barlow
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/03/07

Loc: Overland Park KS

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: herrointment]
#5623523 - 01/14/13 10:07 PM

I just came in from observing Jupiter with Europa's shadow crossing the planet, just below the great red spot. Pretty nice view! I also looked at the Trapezium and could see the E and F stars with my excellent optically Meade 8" LX200R scope. Was using 9mm and 7mm Naglers, giving 222x and 285x. It was 16 degrees out, but no wind, with some high thin cirrus clouds. I set the scope out around 4 PM to cool down.

I have been out a few times when the temperature was under 10 degrees, but when doing this, have to have an object that is somewhat unusual to view, like the shadow transit on Jupiter like tonight or as in the past, a comet.

Bill

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DavidNealMinnick
sage

Reged: 03/06/06

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: orion61]
#5623586 - 01/14/13 10:45 PM

...you notice the gallon plastic jug of water sitting on your truck's tailgate is a solid block of ice.

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albert1
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/01/07

Loc: Southern New Jersey

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: DavidNealMinnick]
#5623779 - 01/15/13 02:32 AM

Two sets of long johns, thermal socks, head/face mask and I'm still uncomfortable at 30 above after an hour.
All I keep thinking about are the summer nights in shorts and sandals behind the binoviewers.

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aa6ww
sage

Reged: 10/23/11

Loc: Sacramento, Calif.

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: orion61]
#5623832 - 01/15/13 04:59 AM Attachment (28 downloads)

Quote:

You try to observe and your eyes water so much you instantly freeze to the eyepiece, too cold.. tonight,
sorry Jupiter.

Jupiter was exceptional here. I had my C14 out all weekend here in calif. I agree its way too cold, but I run two propane heaters on me, away from my scope and it gets the job done, 42000 BTU's each. Id never manage to observe with out them this time of the year.

...Ralph

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RobertED
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/11/03

Loc: Johnston, RI

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: aa6ww]
#5623868 - 01/15/13 06:28 AM

Sorry guys!....I just don't do cold as well as I used to!!!

What time does "Big Bang Theory" come on???....lol....

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SteveTheSwede
member

Reged: 09/28/09

Loc: Stockholm, Sweden

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: aa6ww]
#5623871 - 01/15/13 06:37 AM

I'm ok to about -15C then the discomfort start to overshadow the enjoyment. Also humidity matters as much as temperature, much harder to stay warm in a cold and humid climate than cold and dry. Not to mention the fact that dry air is good for the seeing so you have more reason to be out in the first place. Lucky me living in a northern coastal city where cold and humid is a way of life.
On the other hand, I was out observing in -10C just the other night and I had a great time with M43 and Jupiter so temperature is nothing to obsess about

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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: albert1]
#5623942 - 01/15/13 07:53 AM

Quote:

Two sets of long johns, thermal socks, head/face mask and I'm still uncomfortable at 30 above after an hour.
All I keep thinking about are the summer nights in shorts and sandals behind the binoviewers.

Any mosquitoes around your parts?

It actually gets somewhat cold in the San Diego mountains. Last night right now accuweather says it 22F with a 10mph wind at our place out there. It's generally windier and warmer.

I'll observe at 20F but I know some of you are out there when its below zero. I wear heavy shoes/boots with thermal socks, sweat pants, jeans topped off with snowboarding pants to keep out the wind. Up top I wear thermal under shirt, a sweater, a heavy flannel shirt and a down jacket. If it's really windy, I have a LL Bean Coat/Jacket that goes on top. On top I wear a fur hat and wear gloves though I am always taking them off.. I stay out a couple of hours before I have to go inside to warm up.

What keeps me going: Thinking of you that are there when it's really cold.

Jon

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Sunspot
Post Laureate

Reged: 03/15/05

Loc: Surprise, AZ

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: rmollise]
#5624049 - 01/15/13 09:25 AM

It's almost too cold when I come back into the house and put on the glasses I was wearing outside and they fog up.

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t.r.
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/14/08

Loc: Upstate NY

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: Sunspot]
#5624079 - 01/15/13 09:46 AM Attachment (48 downloads)

...I can't open the front door due to the snow piling up! It has happened...the scene below is typical for three months straight here (DEC,JAN & FEB).

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Starman27
Post Laureate

Reged: 01/29/06

Loc: Illinois, Iowa

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: t.r.]
#5624162 - 01/15/13 10:45 AM

When all of the cables are frozen in position.

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Peter Natscher
sage

Reged: 03/28/06

Loc: Central California

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... new

[Re: orion61]
#5624204 - 01/15/13 11:14 AM

I'm using a Cabela's Ice Fishing jacket, and pants if necessary, fur-lined cap, and warm Uggs and I'm very comfortable siting at the eyepiece in 32°F temps. RH become more important as you don't want dew freezing to frost over everything. Cabela's makes great freezing weather observing clothes! Out here in coastal California two nights ago, I was enjoying Jupiter and various DSO's and didn't realize the temp. was down to 35°F by 9pm. It dropped down to 28°F a few hours later on. Unusual -- winter time at night is usually in the low 50's.

Quote:

You try to observe and your eyes water so much you instantly freeze to the eyepiece, too cold.. tonight,
sorry Jupiter.

Post Extras:

Douglas729
super member

Reged: 12/25/10

Loc: Clarksville Mo.

Re: It's too cold out for observing when... [Re: Starman27]
#5624218 - 01/15/13 11:25 AM

by midnight my Ultima 11 began to look like it belonged on the deck of a whaling ship in the Bering Sea launching harpoons!

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