It's winter in Victoria, just wondering how you people keep warm while observing.
From experience the parts that are most vulnerable to the cold are the extremities, that includes the feet, the hands, and the head. In fact a huge proportion of body heat is lost through the head. It's important to have your hands and feet well protected.... but it's even more important to keep your head covered up. I've learnt in my own experience that if you don't you're whole night can turn pear-shaped.
I usually wear a beanie/hood that I can pull down over my forehead.... and also a scarf as well. When wearing it I keep the ends of the scarf under my jacket so that it doesn't dangle and it stays in place. With my collar turned up, I then pull up my scarf up to cover everything under my eyes. Having the cold wind on my face is unbearable - and, as a hypochondriac, I also want protection from asthma attacks and head colds
. I used to have one frostbitten ear as a kid so I make sure that my scarf covers both of them too. After that I'm pretty right to observe for the night. Well here's a pic of me covering up and you all should too.
I'd like to hear how you guys are dealing with the low temperatures out there on the observing field.