webspotting 25 - outdoor action

As published in the Feb/Mar 2012 issue of SCOPE, the newsletter of the RASC Toronto Centre. Republished here with permission.

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Maybe you don't want to think about this in the cold, grey, dreary days of February, nor the long, dark, cold nights of January, despite the winter solstice behind us. But the skies, if the weather cooperates, offer so much! There's a treasure trove to view or image this time of year. And the long seasonal nights mean you can start early and still be in bed at a reasonable hour. 

Fascinating nebulae, clusters, and double stars are lurking within hard to access constellations like Lepus, Eridanus, Monoceros, Fornax, Cetus, and Canis Major. Did you know that the Geminid and Quadrantid meteor showers are generally better than the Perseids? Nobody knows that 'cause we're cooped up inside near something burning under a snuggie watching bad TV commercials. Did you know that the Andromeda Galaxy is straight overhead. It's the best time of year to look at it! Sheesh.

OK. Maybe you just don't like winter. But I think for many it is not so much winter, the season, the snow and ice, the shoveling, as it is the cold. Many don't like feeling cold. And certainly if you're not dressed right, it can be uncomfortable or dangerous. 

So, surf (er, ski?) into the Outdoor Action safety web site hosted by Princeton University. 

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml

While this is particularly useful information for those mountain climbing, working in the arctic, working outdoors in the winter, and so on, there's still much that can be gleaned here. Handy data for hardy astronomers. 

I'm sure you know that your blood vessels expand and contract to dissipate or conserve heat. But did you know that the blood flow rate in the skin, through this autonomic action, can change from 3000 milliliters per minute to 30?! Did you know that shivering can cause surface heat production to increase by 500%? Or that hypothermia is not limited to outdoor and cold weather but can occur any time you're exposed to temperatures below 37°C? Early indicators are "the umbles:" where you might stumble, mumble, fumble, and grumble? (Sounds like me every morning!) That "trench foot" can occur at temperatures as high as 15°C? That you should not rub potentially frostbitten areas of skin? And that vasoconstriction makes for a full bladder?!

Something I took away from this page, when I'm planning a winter observing session, is what to consider consuming to stay warm and alert. And what foods and beverages to avoid. Sadly, I must reduce caffeine and alcohol. Nibble at carbs. Keep hydrated. It's all about your core temperature.

More seriously, if somehow you are exposed to extreme cold conditions, it is good to be aware of the early signs of hypothermia. This piece offers important tips and tricks for those into extreme winter activity.

So? Suit up! Come on! We're Canadian! We can tough it out. They make jokes about us and cold weather. We embrace winter sports to make use of the conditions for crying out loud. Chop chop. Put on your good boots, a dozen layers, your electric mitts, muffler, balaclava, RASC toque, and get out there. Hurry. Hurry harder! And keep warm and dry.