In Russia as in the northern country, it is necessary amateur astronomers much more difficultly in the winter, than in the summer, especially for residents of the large cities which need to leave far from the city because of a sky flare. Two hours of standing at -15 °C and small wind will freeze any person if he has no warm winter clothes. Long stay on a 30-degree frost can be life-threatening. Despite the cloudy weather prevailing in the winter, it is more opportunities for astronomy, than in the summer. First, in the summer in averages and especially in high latitudes the white nights. Secondly very many interesting objects best of all are visible in the winter, thirdly, in frosty days of anti-cyclones the atmosphere is much more stable, than in days when weather changes.
It is required to you
- - warm clothes
- - thermoses with tea and (or) food
- - telescope
- - the camera (if the astrophotography is planned)
- - laptop with a possibility of connection to the telescope (not necessarily)
- - spare accumulators
- - maps and star atlases
- - red small lamp
Instruction
1. In advance think over the program of observations. Leave on observations as soon as possible to arrive to the place before dark, to manage to look round and find the convenient location for the review and installation of the telescope.
2. Gathering for observations, take care of hot drink and food. Warm and pour hot tea or coffee in a thermos. Whenever possible cook also hot broth or soup in a special grocery thermos. Do not take and do not take alcohol.
3. Remember that on a frost accumulators both at phone, and at other devices very quickly sit down; therefore it is the best of all to take the spare charged accumulators and to keep them in the warm place. It is also quite good to get a small lamp the ""bug"" working without batteries from tightening by a hand.
4. If you plan to observe at the dacha, then you have to arrive to it not less than in 4-5 hours prior to twilight. You need to be engaged in heating of the room at once. Kindle the furnace (and take care of sufficient fuel reserve) or use other heating devices. Take care of easy access from the house to the observation platform.
5. If you drive in the field the car, do not forget to stock up with gasoline (diesel fuel). It is not recommended to suppress the engine and to switch off the furnace in salon. Besides, consider that in the winter because of snow drifts the carriageway is narrowed and access to the place of observation can be complicated.
6. After the end of observations the first that should be made - to bring the telescope to the warm room only at the closed covers, is better in a case or a bag (if you have them). It is connected with the fact that on cold open surfaces, including optical, moisture can be condensed. Condensate will lead to emergence of stains on lenses or mirrors and to their gradual damage over time. The telescope has to be closed before full thermostabilization.