Attired for the frigid environment of Space, Gail and I arrived at the Binbrook gate just after 7pm. The ever-cheerful Steve Germann waved us in and we became the caboose to a train of cars halted by a pile of snow across the road.
Always prepared, the HAA road crew attacked it with shovels and before you could say ?backhoe? we were looking for a spot to park. Our usual spot on the hill was not accessible but one of the parking lots had been cleared and that became base camp.
We had a good turnout. I estimated about 20 people with nearly half of that number being new to the club, or relatively so. It didn?t take long for John Gauvreau to gather a group and begin giving his tour of the sky; and a very entertaining and informative tour it was.
The cold managed to kill 3 laser pointers but didn?t cool John?s passion for his subject or the interest of those who joined his journey through the constellations.
A few scopes were set up and Gail and I had brought our binocular box which also garnered some interest as binoculars were the preferred instrument of the night.
We spent a few minutes helping Jeff and Andreas, who were at Binbrook for the first time, set up the (Bushnell?) reflector they?d been given. After about five minutes of playing around we managed to get the Orion Nebula in the eyepiece.
By 9pm the temperature had dropped to ?15C. It became a challenge to keep toes and fingers frostbite free so we reluctantly packed up. This was probably the second coldest publicized HAA event we?ve been to but, in wintertime, you?ve got to take advantage of clear nights when you get them. It was great to get out under the night sky with our favourite kindred spirits, and to make some new acquaintances, and we hope to do so again, very soon.

Glenn and Gail

A long exposure showing the group… only a few stood still enough for the camera – KerryLH