Observing Aids: Keeping Warm

[SanitysEdge]

I was wondering how each of you keeps themselves from freezing this chilly season while observing for long periods of time.

I just got back inside after observing for a while and I had the idea to wrap myself in an electric blanket along with my normal cold-weather attire. I really want heated clothing now, does anyone have recommendations? Also, what about keeping your hands warm? Thin gloves would help when your swapping eyepieces, removing covers, adjusting focus, etc. One would prefer thicker gloves because they would retain heat longer so you cant do anything delicate. I have some "Hatch Winter Specialist" gloves which seem to work decently for some of the more delicate work but they don't retain heat as long as I would like. I'm thinking of buying some chemical heating things and stuffing them in the gloves but there are also electric gloves, but from what I'm finding they all seem quite bulky.

Suggestions? Comments?

[RickJ]

Years ago I picked up at a military surplus store a "US Army Air Corps" (That takes you back in time) electric flight suit. I had to track down a 27 volt 10 amp transformer. It worked well until I broke its internal wires. You need AC or a generator to power it as it was a power hog. Also it was a medium large and I grew into XXL over the years. Maybe that's what broke the internal wires.

After that I relied on many layers to trap air but let out moisture. Now I use a snow mobile suit rated for -30F (it gets to that here in northern MN a night or two each year) and keep chemical hand warmers in the pockets and my hands in the pockets when not needed. My biggest problem after that was to keep the eyepiece from frosting over when I put my eye up to it. Ski mask didn't help but after talking to several who said their full beard did I tried it and it worked much to my surprise and my wifes displeasure. She's getting used to my winter look now after 16 years of it. Doesn't work well for women however.

Rick

[Nick Theodorakis]

I go with layers -- I put on some sweat pants over the pants I'm already wearing, two pair of socks, a jacket or sweater under my coat. And definitely don't forget to wear a hat.

Alternatively, just do binocular observations and make them quickly.

Nick

[redshifter]

The layered approach is what I do, though here in the Pac NW it's rarely below about 30 degrees on the very rare winter night I can go observing. My biggest problem is keeping my feet warm. You don't want to have shoes/boots tied too tight, I've found that giving your feet a little room helps them stay warm. I will usually wear long johns, sweatshirt, and fairly heavy coat. A hat is a must! For my feet, regular cotton socks, wool socks, and my REI snowpack boots do well.

Also, I usually don't observe for more than a couple hours in winter, usually not enough time for me to get too cold. A good rule of thumb is to dress like it's 15 degress colder than the actual air temp., since astronomy involves a lot of standing around.

[pkay]

Don't forget the thermos filled with hot tea. And even a 'hot toddy' will help.
Thermal underwear and full balaclava with only your eyes exposed. Mates call me the 'night stalker'!
Or better still build a portable wind shield, and blankets wrapped around so you sort of shuffle around...

[Maksutov]

For me the best way for keeping warm isn't something one can do much about: be born and grow up in New England.

Cold? What cold?

For the less fortunate, layering is best. Avoid alcohol. The momentary "warm" feeling is the heat being moved from your core to your skin, from which it conducts and radiates out of your body, leaving you colder. Also, thinking about last summer and those miserable, unbearable 100+ F days will put things into perspective.

[Swift]

Thin gloves would help when your swapping eyepieces, removing covers, adjusting focus, etc. One would prefer thicker gloves because they would retain heat longer so you cant do anything delicate.
I wear thin glove liners (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=17916716&memberId=12500226) under my heavy duty gloves. So, for delicate work, you pull off the outer glove, and at least have something better than bare skin under that.

And ditto on hat and ear protection too. The old outdoor rule is if your feet are cold, put on a hat.

[mike alexander]

My wife knitted me a pair of gloves with the tops of the fingers open so the last knuckle sticks out. Bob Cratchett gloves, I guess. Work quite well.

Long underwear is a good idea (must be, since I use them).

Given the winters in the Great Northwest, sometimes I see no sky for a month or two at a time. Might be clear this weekend, though.

[Maksutov]

[edit]And ditto on hat and ear protection too. The old outdoor rule is if your feet are cold, put on a hat.Exactly. I have a number of knit toques I received for participating in various winter road races. These are very useful since the amount of head/ear/neck coverage can be adjusted to suit the conditions.

When it's really nice out, say 15 below 0 F, a ski mask helps prevent frostbite. Remember, if you decide to make a run to the local convenience store to pick up some snacks and drinks, remove the ski mask before hitting the road.

Speaking of drinks, also remember that you still lose body moisture even though you don't feel overheated. So got for it with the water, Gatorade, etc.

[Dave Mitsky]

It's not a good idea to wear cotton clothes since they will get wet from perspiration. Standing on a mat, rug, or carpet remnant will help to keep your feet warm. Of course, good boots and thermal socks are a must. If you don't want to go to the expense of a snowmobile suit, get a pair of insulated coveralls.

I usually wear insulated boots, high quality thermal underwear, thermal bootsocks with liners, a sweater or insulated flannel shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, flannel or fleece-lined pants, sweatpants over the pants, an insulated coverall, and a down coat with a hood. I have at least two hoods covering my head and sometimes wear a combination facemask/hat as well. I use a variety of gloves and mittens depending on how cold it is and also rely on heat packs when necessary. With this gear on, I'm good for many hours of winter observing.

Dave Mitsky

[Sticks]

Cheat

Se if you can find a site where you can get a live feed from a telescope at some observatory and stargaze from the comfort of your own home
:D

[JustAFriend]

I was wondering how each of you keeps themselves from freezing this chilly season while observing for long periods of time.

Well, I step outside where the air conditioning isn't so cold.

(Sorry, but in these winter months us Florida people are required by law to nudge the residents of colder climates.....)

:lol:

[danscope]

" Frostbite Falls ! Why that's our home town !! "
Rocket J. Squirrel from a kinder ...gentler time.

:) Dan

[deejayry]

I got for layers too, however i dont normally see anything much cloder than -5c here in england.

Helley hansen lifas sport base layer, T shirt or two, a good micro fleece, a surf style hoodie jumper(nice and thick double layer), and a ski coat on top. HH Lifa sport base layer long johns, tracksuit bottoms, light combat style trousers and a pair of jeans on bottom.

Good quality THIN ski socks and then a pair of thick ski socks and a pair of walking boots on the feet. A good pair of fleece gloves and a nice warm hat.

i'm going to be asking for some chemical heaters though just to keep my fingers warm whilst i'm imaging...

Oh and if you are a smoker, like me, dont smoke until you are back in the warm, the smoke will only make you colder!

I like the idea of insulating the ground, i tried this with a wooden pallet (doubled up as a step for awkward eyepiece heights) but it frosted over and was dangerously slippy, so i pulled it away before i slipped and took out the whole setup!

[Gob332]

Living in northern Minnesota I am quite familiar with the cold. It has been consistently below zero (F) for the past week or two. Still, the skies have been better than clear (when it's not snowing). I also use the layer approach and brew hot chocolate.

[KaiYeves]

I wear sweat pants, a coat over the turtleneck I'm already wearing, a hat and gloves. To steady my binoculars, I sometimes have to remove my gloves, though. I have a very high temperature tolerance.