COPING WITH COLD

I have my 6" f/12 loaded in truck. I just double checked my tent
and all necessary gear----eyepieces, cameras, power supplies,
my EQ6 mount---and all the other stuff needed for 3 days of
observing at a dark site. Winter Skies are so nice---Orion, great transparency, when the sky is SO dark!---I love that kind of sky. But for me the cold can ruin things. I am trying to figure out the best possible technique for staying warm. One time in particular I was so cold I couldnt really use my telescope
and a friend told me "take your coat off and put it over your head". It really worked! I warmed up pretty good. Keeping my head warm made the rest of my body warm. I never forgot that trick! I am now wondering how many other "tricks & techniques" everyone might know that I dont? Probably a lot. For example is there a way to heat a tent safely? How about some kind of heater to
use around telescopes? How do you keep your feet warm?
Clothing,heaters,something to warm tent,etc. etc.. I know many of you know how to plan for cold and stay warm. Not me! I need help.
Thanks, Robert

Dress in layers, synthetic or wool closest to the body, always wear a hat (knit wool or fur), good mittens, as many socks as your warmest boots have place for, eat hydrocarbons, drink hot drinks and water, know your limits, exersise, use hand warmers, wear the longest down or fur coat you have, stay dry, have clothes to change, bring a cell phone. Easy, really.

Dmitri

In addition to all of the excellent advice offered so far, I would like to say that the importance of a good head covering can't be overemphasized. If you don't have a good hat or hood, the head acts just like a chimney and all of your body's heat will flow out the top of your head. I wear a Polartec balaclava and, in some cases, I will also pull my fleece lined hood over that.

Also, take water with you when observing in cold weather. Hydration is every bit as important in cold weather as it is in hot weather.

Doug
Midway, FL (where we do get temps in the teens and twenties some winters!)

I have 2 main rules for dealing with cold weather:

1) Move closer to the Gulf.
2) Go inside when it gets under 30F. It will be not be under 30F 2 days in a row (see rule #1).

Ed

Do they make Eye Muffs?? I was dressed like those guys who are stationed at "Little America" but when trying to keep my eye (eyes) open to view for any duration they would start to water! John M

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Maybe a marine battery and a 12V Kendrick Anti-Dew Suit?

Observing in anything warmer than 10F is pure pleasure!

Actually the most annoying side of coping with cold for me is that to dress up takes much longer time than to setup the telescope.

Dmitri