This weekend’s weather forecast is calling for alarmingly cold temperatures. Even a keen observer would be reluctant to drag all their equipment outside in -20 degree weather. (That’s cold enough to freeze your Bob’s Knobs off!)

Matthew Mannering has an excellent article on observing with binoculars in the January issue of our newsletter. In his article, he states:

“Binoculars also have a very important role in my winter observing. Quite honestly there are lots of times I wouldn?t go out if I had to haul my big stuff out of the house. Cool down times for a large scope just get worse as the temperature drops and I don?t have a secure yard to go leaving it outside for hours at a time unattended. Mostly, I just take out my binos and within about 10 minutes they have reached equilibrium with the outdoor temperature. In fact you can start using them right away although you will notice some astigmatism and the focus will change continuously until they reach equilibrium. Better yet, when your toes and fingers start to turn blue; which I find seems to happen all of a sudden, tear down time is close to zero.”

You can read his entire article on page 15 here: http://www.amateurastronomy.org/EH/January2011.pdf

Observing with binoculars is a great way to enjoy the crystal clear winter skies without having to spend too much time outdoors in these unappealing temperatures! You can check out the double stars in Orion that Steve mentions in his Sky This Month column (page 12 on this month’s newsletter – see the above link) and in his blog posting of January 15th.