**Ask a monkey a physics question thread**

[kingnat]

No tunnel entrance = not what you're making, which is what I think of when I think "igloo".

I was posting that link in response to this:

I feel compelled to point out that an "igloo" is a cartoon invention, as far as I can tell. I would LOVE to see a link to any indigenous people using an igloo as a normal part of their daily lives. I found lots of variations on the practice of making a temporary shelter out of ice/snow, but none of them are what I'd consider an igloo.

We don't have such an igloo, we have the iconic cartoon like structure, but yes, i realize we need something to block up the door to provide some heat... and I think the heat source on the interior (assuming everything is sealed properly) shouldn't need to be dramatic to provide noticeably higher temp than the exterior.

[MadMojoMonkey]

... and I think the heat source on the interior (assuming everything is sealed properly) shouldn't need to be dramatic to provide noticeably higher temp than the exterior.

Yes, it doesn't take much.

You can put a few cold rocks in the center. Warm some other rocks in a campfire (make absolutely sure they're not flint, which will explode like a shrapnel grenade when heated in a fire). Place the hot rocks in a metal bucket, and place metal bucket on the cold rock-bed in the center of your shelter. You will want an extra set of rocks being heated at all times, and you'll switch them out. This is a very safe solution, but will cause you grief in the middle of the night when no one's tending the spare heat stones.

You can Google "flower pot space heater" and see some DIY ideas for a candle-powered solution.

It's hard to find a safe solution that will last for the 6 - 8 hours needed for uninterrupted sleep.