Bundle up and look up: 5 winter sky wonders every stargazer should look out for

A silhouette of a person stands in front of a green flashlight beam on the edge of a lake with trees and hills in the distance all underneath a dark blue starry sky.

In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures. Fortunately, that's easy to manage — as any ski enthusiast will tell you. Indeed, many assiduous skywatchers observe outdoors with little discomfort.

You don't need to bundle up like Ralphie in the holiday movie A Christmas Story. One of the best garments is a hooded ski parka, which is lightweight yet provides excellent insulation. Ski pants are far superior to ordinary trousers, and most important of all is to remember your feet. Two pairs of warm socks inside loose-fitting shoes are often adequate, but for extended observing sessions in truly penguin-like conditions, insulated boots are a must.