Astronomy in winter?!?

[hellothere123]

I'm going into my first winter with my new scope...what temp can I go out in and what precautions do I need to take to make sure I don't destroy the electronics...I have a Celestron 6Se

[todd8137]

i was out most of last years freezing -7, never hurt my scopes electrics or power tank say in that i did wrap garden fleece round the power tank and i was in a obs but never hurt mine

[iamjulian]

A bit of fleece is a great idea. I managed -18 last winter, though I didn't have any electronics to freeze, only myself.

[cosmological]

You just need to make sure you wrap up warm, that's all.

[damnut]

Don't drop hot sweet drinks on the electronics in the winter, or red wine in the summer !! :-)

[studdedsole]

Roughly speaking the colder the better for electronics, took DSLR out in -15C last winter. Just need to be careful with moisture from frost melting on electrical kit and spend time drying out "sensitive" equipment whilst packing if not at home. Double check it is okay once back home. If at home I leave pre-cleaned equipment unpacked in the garage to warm up naturally before packing away.

Occasionally run a de-humidifier with electronic gear to help reduce any internal moisture content which may form during the cycle of cooling and warming. I don't know if it helps but it's precautionary and seems sensible, I've had no mishaps over the last 4 years.

[Ericgraham]

The coldest night I've been out observing was -40. Scope worked fine, but I can't say the same about my nose.

[Ad Astra]

What's "winter" ?

Dan

[Astro Imp]

What's "winter" ?

Dan

Alright, no need to rub it in

[ollypenrice]

We have a continental climate and are at altitude so winter goes down to -20, though default is about -10 in Jan/Feb. We run all through the year without difficulty and some of the kit is getting on a bit but works fine. If it ain't broke...

Olly

[Ad Astra]

Alright, no need to rub it in

Sorry Astro Imp, I couldn't resist.

Actually, we DO have winter here - it can get cold at night (-20 C is not unknown), and we have virtually all the rain we will get for the year in December, January, and February... all 6-8 inches of it.

I'm a refugee from winter, actually. I was born in southern Wisconsin where it can hit -40 C . Hmmmm... no wonder I left!

Dan

[hellothere123]

Winter had no advantages...but now the sun sets sooner and the air is crisper...(I'm trying to forget all the other million of reasons I hate winter)

[ollypenrice]

Before I became interested in astronomy I detested the coming of the long nights. Now I love it!

Olly

[faulksy]

me to mate roll on

[brantuk]

Keep yourself warm - the gear will be ok

[onesmallstep]

Only problem you might have is changing AA batteries several times through the night (and realigning each time) as the scope eats them in cold weather!!! Better to get a power pack.

[hemihaggis]

cold is good ....makes you feel alive ....

[saturn4me]

It just goes to show that amateur astronomers are a hardy bunch!!

[garethmob]

iv been outside last year in -7 degrees with a foot of snow all around me and it was one of the best nights i had, just remember to put summet around powertank and leave all the equiptment in a conservatry for a few hrs to naturally dry off as it will become dripping wet same with eyepeices and camera lens i usaly leave them on their side with the scope