IAccording to a weather almanac, January is the cloudiest month in Illinois. (July the least, I believe) So, the telescopes have been parked most of December and January. I have gotten out for a few quick looks because some of the best targets are out in the winter. An example would be the Orion Nebulae. In the winter, the nights are long. You are able to get started viewing earlier and stay out later - provided you can take the cold. The cold weather also makes handling cold metal interesting. I wear "glittens" - mittens which are also gloves and which the "top" is removal to allow you to grab things such as eyepieces. The two biggest opponents to viewing are, however, the clouds and the wind. I also find my desire to be a bit dampened in the winter. Getting layers and layers of clothes on is a bit of a drag. But, you don't have to worry about mosquitoes, skunks, bats, and other assorted wildlife. The neighbors do seem to have more lights on in the winter, but that may be because I am usually out earlier in the evening than in the summer. This Christmas someone surprised me with a new astronomy gadget I can't wait to try and to write about. Hopefully, as soon as the clouds are gone, the wind is not blowing, and the temperature above 10 degrees. Maybe that is the way I tend to serve the Lord, only when the conditions are just right.
