TO JOIN: To stop the spammers, when you sign up we need a sentence from you about your interest in EXTREMEASTRONOMY.

PURPOSE: This group is dedicated to the discussion of technical issues related to pursuing the astronomical hobby in cold weather defined as temperatures below 20F (-6.6 C). "Gear" is defined as clothing, footwear, gloves, mounts, optics, eyepieces, pcs, electronics, imaging equipment, anti-frost systems, batteries, appropriate automobiles, etc., as long as these pertain directly to astronomical applications. The group has no official position with regard to preferred types of telescopes or mounts. For those non-winter months Extreme Astronomy will also accept discussions of "Extreme Dew" since the coldest winter environments also tend to be, in the warm season, the most challenging from this point of view, and mold and other forms of decay can affect optics. Come to think of it, "extreme wind," "extreme mosquitoes," "extreme mud," wouldn't be too far afield, either. Posts are not as a rule moderated, but may be to prevent flaming. Cold weather gear vendors are welcome and may participate so long as they identify themselves and limit their "pitch" to providing links and a few comments at appropriate times--and can tolerate people choosing competitors' gear. We don't just *sound* crazy. We *are* crazy. We are proud to have an international membership.