Gearing up for Astro

August 31 - We are about 40 miles south of the arctic circle on a high point. The location is perfect for astro. We just need the weather and solar storms to cooperate. It will be a few more hours until it’s dark enough. There isn't much to do for now except prepare our equipment and ourselves, then wait.

The weather report said 100% cloud cover tonight with a Kp of 2, which is poor. Yesterday we saw an aurora at a low Kp, so we are staying up and preparing. From our viewpoint, the sky in the best directions for astro is north and east, where it is mostly clear. The clouds are all to the south and west.

We know it will be cold but hope there is no wind to make conditions worse.

Clouds in the West but Clear Above Us

Clouds to the South

While we wait, and for your amusement, I thought I would share the list of my attempts to keep warm. It includes:
Long sleeved sweater,
Down vest,
Down jacket,
Fleece pants,
Down pants (Yes, I have down pants. We also have down booties but they are a bit slippery so you can't walk around in them safely),

My warmest socks
Rubber muck boots (up to my knees)
A wool hat.

I have my fleece-lined leather gloves ready along with my neck gaiter. If the wind picks up I will add a layer of rain gear as that's wind proof.

We also have shelter with a fire and chairs padded with fleece blankets (once you're seated, down pants don't do much to keep our back end warm). You're thinking wimps, but it’s a wet cold!

He just asked if I want ice cream while we wait. Yes, of course!

If we get a good shot, it will be after the ice cream.

Calories to Keep Us Warm

The family ice cream joke: “Two guys and a name I can’t pronounce.”

A few clouds to the north but not bad for a Kp of 2.

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