Furious Skies

I took some more shortly after this, but nothing too special. I wasn't in the right state of mind to think up any cool ideas. So I waited til dusk for the ALMOST full moon to come out. It actually turned out to be a pretty cool site as a dark orange and blue haze fell over the eastern horizon.

The next night I got a little over-zealous and set out for some aurora shots. The KP was only at 5 but still had it at high risk. I figured "eh, why the heck not" since I was bored just sitting around anyway. As I figured, no auroras, but there was a very cool "ice halo" around the moon. The phenomena is caused by upper atmosphere ice crystals "bending" the moon's rays and giving it the halo appearance.

Props to Mike Hollingshead for these next few. I know, I know...I need to come up with something more original, but at the spur of the moment nothing usually comes to mind for me. I was all alone way out in the country with nothing but cornfields surrounding me, so there really wasn't any other props.

So that brings me to tonight, my next outing. Tonight was strictly just out of anxiety as I wanted to try out the new Celestron car window mount. It really makes it alot handier just sitting in the driver seat of the truck rather than getting out and fooling around with the triopod. I really wish I would have had this for the auroras. I also set out tonight hoping for a clearing for a clear shot at comet McNaught, but no dice. The clouds were pretty thick so I pulled off and snapped some anyway. I also made a quick trip to the store and swung down by the boat docks for a quick shot of the Port Byron sign as well. I can already tell this little mount is going to come in VERY handy once spring comes. I absolutely cannot wait.