About 2 or 3 weeks ago it got down to -4 F here in Michigan. I was a little under dressed but was right outside my house so I didn't worry too much about it. What made me finally come inside was when I was changing eyepieces, a couple of them stuck to my fingers. I figured that was enough observing for one night.

Ha! I laugh at the cold! (but I don't think I'd try this at -50 F)

Last fall, in an effort to extend my motorcycle season, I bought a 12v heated vest that is wired into the bike's charging sysyem. It worked so well that I've adapted it to my astronomy hobby, too. I have a 12v deep-cycle battery that will power the vest for five or six hours at a low setting. If I want to stay out longer I plug in a battery charger and I'm good for all night. I saw a show on the tube that explained how this works. If I remember this correctly, if you can keep your body core temperature up the brain doesn't realize how cold the air temperature is and will continue pumping blood to your extremities instead of shutting them off to only keep the vital organs warm. I also have a balaclava that is made to be worn under a full face motorcycle helmet that is very warm, especially under a stocking cap, and a good pair of lightweight deerskin motorcycle gloves. Of course I have a good pair of Sorrel boots and a pair of Carhartt insulated coveralls that I wear, too.

Now, if it would just clear off for more than one day a month, I'd be warm and happy.

Jim

Hello,

Its been a while since I the weather cleared up for some viewing and last night was the first in couple of months. it -35 C. Went out with 6 layers and it turns out I was actually hot except the tips of my fingers since I had to remove my gloves every once a while to maneuver the laptop mouse.  

But it was my best viewing night so far. Didnt have any problems locating M41, M42, M44.

Tomorrow is another good night. will be about -30C. So I will may be wear a layer less.
 

 Antarctica has the coldest average annual temperatures, and the lowest temperature ever recorded on earth (-129 °F) was at Vostok on July 21, 1983. In New Hampshire the weather up here really is crazy, the coldest I have been out observing is -15F with a 10mph wind.
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Hi hedonist,

Know what it feels like at -30F. While taking photos to calculate the orbital elements of the asteroid Ceres in the 70s, I spent a lot of time wearing longjohns and goose-down, and taking hot tea breaks in the car every 20 minutes. I was happy with the results, and I got an A+ in Observational, so it really was worth the experience. The real payoff was the fact that the cold lowered the reciprocity factor of the film, which in plain terms, made it MUCH more light sensitive. Between that and pushing the film speed, I  managed to get some very workable photos for my project, and beautiful pictures to look at, for years.

eagleheart