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A panorama of noctilucent clouds to the northwest just before midnight on the evening of July 10-11, 2022, over a hill and red farm road in southern Alberta, Canada.
13898662 - A panorama of noctilucent clouds to the northwest just before midnight on the evening of July 10-11, 2022, over a hill and red farm road in southern Alberta, Canada.
Comet Hale-Bopp
13898641 - Comet Hale-Bopp
A composite of the Perseid meteor shower, on the peak night, Aug 11/12, 2016, looking northeast to the radiant point in Perseus left of centre, with the Pleiades and Hyades clusters in Taurus rising. There are 33 meteors here. Note the fairly consistent green to red tint of each meteor streak. A couple of streaks look more white and might be flaring satellites though their trajectory matches where a Perseid should be.
13898623 - A composite of the Perseid meteor shower, on the peak night, Aug 11/12, 2016, looking northeast to the radiant point in Perseus left of centre, with the Pleiades and Hyades clusters in Taurus rising. There are 33 meteors here. Note the fairly consistent green to red tint of each meteor streak. A couple of streaks look more white and might be flaring satellites though their trajectory matches where a Perseid should be.
A lone observer gazes skyward at the start of a wonderful aurora display on March 6, 2016, as the curtains begin to appear and dance in the deep blue twilight. This was at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Churchill, Manitoba.
13898577 - A lone observer gazes skyward at the start of a wonderful aurora display on March 6, 2016, as the curtains begin to appear and dance in the deep blue twilight. This was at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Churchill, Manitoba.
A panorama of an early-season appearance of noctilucent clouds on the night of June 1-2, 2022. This is from home in southern Alberta, Canada at latitude 51° N, and taken at midnight, MDT. This was my earliest sighting of NLCs, three weeks before solstice.
13898567 - A panorama of an early-season appearance of noctilucent clouds on the night of June 1-2, 2022. This is from home in southern Alberta, Canada at latitude 51° N, and taken at midnight, MDT. This was my earliest sighting of NLCs, three weeks before solstice.
A low primary rainbow, with supernumerary arcs inside the bow, appearing to the east as a thunderstorm receded. Taken from the site of the Blackfoot Crossing Historic Park. in southern Alberta, July 20, 2014.
13898553 - A low primary rainbow, with supernumerary arcs inside the bow, appearing to the east as a thunderstorm receded. Taken from the site of the Blackfoot Crossing Historic Park. in southern Alberta, July 20, 2014.
A colourful sunrise scene on August 12, 2022, taken from home on the Alberta prairie taken just as the Sun came up. This might be an image useful for sky replacement or a background image.
13898452 - A colourful sunrise scene on August 12, 2022, taken from home on the Alberta prairie taken just as the Sun came up. This might be an image useful for sky replacement or a background image.
Watching the sunset in Norway from the ms Trollfjord on the southbound voyage, on March 2, 2019.
13898376 - Watching the sunset in Norway from the ms Trollfjord on the southbound voyage, on March 2, 2019.
Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) in a telephoto lens close-up on July 19, 2020, showing the straight blue ion tail and the curving whitish-yellow dust tail. Even the ion tail was visible in binoculars and traceable out for 12° or so, or two binocular fields. A bit of cyan colour is visible around the head of the comet. The ninth magnitude galaxy NGC 2841 is visible to the right of the comet.
13898314 - Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) in a telephoto lens close-up on July 19, 2020, showing the straight blue ion tail and the curving whitish-yellow dust tail. Even the ion tail was visible in binoculars and traceable out for 12° or so, or two binocular fields. A bit of cyan colour is visible around the head of the comet. The ninth magnitude galaxy NGC 2841 is visible to the right of the comet.
The stars of Ursa Major, the Great Bear, over the waters of Peyto Lake, Banff, in deep twilight. Arcturus in Böotes, the Bear Driver, is setting over the peak at left. Ursa Major contains the seven stars that make up the Big Dipper, aka the Plough or the Wagon. This was October 13, 2022 on a very clear night in the Rocky Mountains.
13898308 - The stars of Ursa Major, the Great Bear, over the waters of Peyto Lake, Banff, in deep twilight. Arcturus in Böotes, the Bear Driver, is setting over the peak at left. Ursa Major contains the seven stars that make up the Big Dipper, aka the Plough or the Wagon. This was October 13, 2022 on a very clear night in the Rocky Mountains.
Sunset at the Reesor Ranch, on the edge of the Cypress Hills, on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, July 4, 2014. This is a high dynamic range stack of 6 exposures at 2/3rds stop intervals, with the Canon 60Da and 10-22mm lens.
13898267 - Sunset at the Reesor Ranch, on the edge of the Cypress Hills, on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, July 4, 2014. This is a high dynamic range stack of 6 exposures at 2/3rds stop intervals, with the Canon 60Da and 10-22mm lens.
This is Comet Wirtanen 46P in Taurus on December 14/15, 2018 accompanied by a meteor, caught by chance of course. The meteor has left a yellowish “smoke” cloud.
13898245 - This is Comet Wirtanen 46P in Taurus on December 14/15, 2018 accompanied by a meteor, caught by chance of course. The meteor has left a yellowish “smoke” cloud.
An all-sky aurora from Churchill, Manitoba, on Feb 17, 2015, in a frame from a 250-frame time-lapse movie. Taken from the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, using an 8mm Sigma fish-eye lens on the Canon 6D for a 360° view of the sky, though with the camera titled about 25° to create an image suitable for projection in a tilted-dome digital planetarium. This a 15-second exposure at ISO 3200 and f/3.5. The temperature was about -30° C.
13898238 - An all-sky aurora from Churchill, Manitoba, on Feb 17, 2015, in a frame from a 250-frame time-lapse movie. Taken from the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, using an 8mm Sigma fish-eye lens on the Canon 6D for a 360° view of the sky, though with the camera titled about 25° to create an image suitable for projection in a tilted-dome digital planetarium. This a 15-second exposure at ISO 3200 and f/3.5. The temperature was about -30° C.
The large star-forming region of IC 1396 in Cepheus, taken September 5, 2018 from home in southern Alberta. The wide field includes the bright orange star Mu Cephei, or Herschel’s Garnet Star, at top. The Elephant Trunk Nebula is at centre. North is at top.
13898160 - The large star-forming region of IC 1396 in Cepheus, taken September 5, 2018 from home in southern Alberta. The wide field includes the bright orange star Mu Cephei, or Herschel’s Garnet Star, at top. The Elephant Trunk Nebula is at centre. North is at top.
Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1) on the morning of December 10, 2021, with a 135mm telephoto lens for a field of view of 10° x 15°. The tail appears to be about 4° long here. Taken about 5:45 am MST. The distinctive cyan tint of a comet's coma is prominent. The comet was in Serpens at the time.
13898154 - Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1) on the morning of December 10, 2021, with a 135mm telephoto lens for a field of view of 10° x 15°. The tail appears to be about 4° long here. Taken about 5:45 am MST. The distinctive cyan tint of a comet's coma is prominent. The comet was in Serpens at the time.
The late-night spring Milky Way from my rural backyard in Alberta (latitude 51° N) on a fine May night in 2020, with the waxing Moon just setting and lighting the landscape and sky. Jupiter (brightest) and Saturn to the east (left) are just rising together at left, east of the Milky Way. West of the galactic centre at right is red Antares in Scorpius. The Small Sagittarius and Scutum starclouds are prominent at centre, with their various Messier nebulas and star clusters visible.
13898150 - The late-night spring Milky Way from my rural backyard in Alberta (latitude 51° N) on a fine May night in 2020, with the waxing Moon just setting and lighting the landscape and sky. Jupiter (brightest) and Saturn to the east (left) are just rising together at left, east of the Milky Way. West of the galactic centre at right is red Antares in Scorpius. The Small Sagittarius and Scutum starclouds are prominent at centre, with their various Messier nebulas and star clusters visible.
This is a blend of exposures showing all the satellites (and a few aircraft) recorded by the camera on a late spring night (June 1-2, 2022) from latitude 51° North, from where and when satellites are illuminated all night long and can be seen all through the short night. This is looking almost due south.
13898130 - This is a blend of exposures showing all the satellites (and a few aircraft) recorded by the camera on a late spring night (June 1-2, 2022) from latitude 51° North, from where and when satellites are illuminated all night long and can be seen all through the short night. This is looking almost due south.
Our group of Learning Vacations tourists enjoy the start of a fine display of Northern Lights at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, March 6, 2016. As curtains appear to the east, another array of curtains shines to the west behind them with a strong purple tint lighting the sky and ground. The Andromeda Galaxy sits amid the curtains.
13898127 - Our group of Learning Vacations tourists enjoy the start of a fine display of Northern Lights at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, March 6, 2016. As curtains appear to the east, another array of curtains shines to the west behind them with a strong purple tint lighting the sky and ground. The Andromeda Galaxy sits amid the curtains.
A 360° fish-eye panorama of the evening sky, January 16, 2015, showing the Zodiacal Light rising out of the western sky and last vestiges of twilight, and the Milky Way across the sky in the east. Comet Lovejoy (C/2-14 Q2) near the Pleiades just left of centre at the top of the pyramid of light from the Zodiacal Light. A meteor appears below centre. This is a stitch of 8 segments, each taken with the 15mm lens and Canon 6D in portrait orientation, for 1 minute at ISO 3200 and f/2.8. Stitched with PTGui.
13898092 - A 360° fish-eye panorama of the evening sky, January 16, 2015, showing the Zodiacal Light rising out of the western sky and last vestiges of twilight, and the Milky Way across the sky in the east. Comet Lovejoy (C/2-14 Q2) near the Pleiades just left of centre at the top of the pyramid of light from the Zodiacal Light. A meteor appears below centre. This is a stitch of 8 segments, each taken with the 15mm lens and Canon 6D in portrait orientation, for 1 minute at ISO 3200 and f/2.8. Stitched with PTGui.
The Milky Way from northern Sagittarius to southern Cygnus, above the mountains of Waterton Lakes National Park; Alberta, Aug 31, 2013. This is a stack of 4 x 3 minute exposures at f/2.8 with the 24mm lens and Canon 5D MkII at ISO 1600.
13898058 - The Milky Way from northern Sagittarius to southern Cygnus, above the mountains of Waterton Lakes National Park; Alberta, Aug 31, 2013. This is a stack of 4 x 3 minute exposures at f/2.8 with the 24mm lens and Canon 5D MkII at ISO 1600.
An isolated auroral arc to the southeast on September 2, 2016, shot from home during a fine display with active curtains to the north. This one displays the classic picket fence apperarance, with fingers of green aurora that moved along the band during a time-lapse of the scene.
13898002 - An isolated auroral arc to the southeast on September 2, 2016, shot from home during a fine display with active curtains to the north. This one displays the classic picket fence apperarance, with fingers of green aurora that moved along the band during a time-lapse of the scene.
Galaxy and glacier! This is a vertical panorama of the Milky Way Galaxy over Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier in Banff National Park, Alberta. The Summer Triangle stars of Vega, Deneb and Altair are at centre. The Scutum Starcloud is just above and setting over Victoria Glacier. The dark lanes of interstellar dust — stardust! — weave among the bright star clouds of the Milky Way.
13897971 - Galaxy and glacier! This is a vertical panorama of the Milky Way Galaxy over Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier in Banff National Park, Alberta. The Summer Triangle stars of Vega, Deneb and Altair are at centre. The Scutum Starcloud is just above and setting over Victoria Glacier. The dark lanes of interstellar dust — stardust! — weave among the bright star clouds of the Milky Way.
A 360° panorama of the landscape and skyscape at Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada, taken August 25, 2014. The Milky Way arches overhead from south to north at right, and the last vestiges of twilight light the western sky at left, providing a natural backdrop for the silhouette of the photographer gazing wistfully into the distance! Some green bands of airglow also light the sky, but only a few farm lights from outside the boundaries of the Park mar the landscape in this darkest of Dark Sky Preserves in Canada. I shot this from the Eagle Butte Loop Trail at the end of the 70 Mile
13897968 - A 360° panorama of the landscape and skyscape at Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada, taken August 25, 2014. The Milky Way arches overhead from south to north at right, and the last vestiges of twilight light the western sky at left, providing a natural backdrop for the silhouette of the photographer gazing wistfully into the distance! Some green bands of airglow also light the sky, but only a few farm lights from outside the boundaries of the Park mar the landscape in this darkest of Dark Sky Preserves in Canada. I shot this from the Eagle Butte Loop Trail at the end of the 70 Mile
The 4-day-old waxing crescent Moon on April 8, 2019 in a blend of short and long exposures to bring out the faint Earthshine on the dark side of the Moon and deep blue twilight sky while retaining details in the bright sunlit crescent.
13897963 - The 4-day-old waxing crescent Moon on April 8, 2019 in a blend of short and long exposures to bring out the faint Earthshine on the dark side of the Moon and deep blue twilight sky while retaining details in the bright sunlit crescent.
Gibbous Moon over Banff townsite, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Taken July 29, 2012 with Canon 7D and 10-22mm lens at ISO 100, f/6.3 and metered. Taken in twilight. Peak is left is Mt. Rundle. Taken from Mt. Norquay viewpoint overlooking town looking south.
13897956 - Gibbous Moon over Banff townsite, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Taken July 29, 2012 with Canon 7D and 10-22mm lens at ISO 100, f/6.3 and metered. Taken in twilight. Peak is left is Mt. Rundle. Taken from Mt. Norquay viewpoint overlooking town looking south.
The rising nearly Full Moon of December 19, 2021, above a snowy prairie scene with a lone tree, and the cold blue twilight lighting the snow, contrasting with the pink of the Belt of Venus above. The Moon is partly in a narrow band of cloud and is exhibiting a slight green flash phenomenon on its distorted upper edge, and red limb on its lower edge from atmospheric dispersion.
13897949 - The rising nearly Full Moon of December 19, 2021, above a snowy prairie scene with a lone tree, and the cold blue twilight lighting the snow, contrasting with the pink of the Belt of Venus above. The Moon is partly in a narrow band of cloud and is exhibiting a slight green flash phenomenon on its distorted upper edge, and red limb on its lower edge from atmospheric dispersion.
The California Nebula, NGC 1499, at top left, with the bright star Zeta Persei. at bottom A faint region of reflection nebulosity, IC 348, surrounds the star Atik, or Omicron Persei, at bottom right. The star just below NGC 1499 is Menkib, or Xi Persei. The field is similar to that of binoculars.
13897946 - The California Nebula, NGC 1499, at top left, with the bright star Zeta Persei. at bottom A faint region of reflection nebulosity, IC 348, surrounds the star Atik, or Omicron Persei, at bottom right. The star just below NGC 1499 is Menkib, or Xi Persei. The field is similar to that of binoculars.
A selfie of me shooting time-lapses and tracked Milky Way images at the 76 Ranch Corral site at Grasslands National Park, August 27, 2019. Taken for use as a book cover. High cloud and a dark aircraft contrail drifting through added the star glows and the dark streak. Jupiter, at right, and Saturn, at left, flank the Milky Way. Altair is the bright star at top.
13897937 - A selfie of me shooting time-lapses and tracked Milky Way images at the 76 Ranch Corral site at Grasslands National Park, August 27, 2019. Taken for use as a book cover. High cloud and a dark aircraft contrail drifting through added the star glows and the dark streak. Jupiter, at right, and Saturn, at left, flank the Milky Way. Altair is the bright star at top.
The aurora of February 3-4, 2014 seen from Churchill, Manitoba at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, looking west to Orion and Taurus, with tour group members taking in the sight. This is a 2-second exposure at f/2 with the 24mm lens and ISO 2000 wth the Canon 5D MkII.
13897879 - The aurora of February 3-4, 2014 seen from Churchill, Manitoba at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, looking west to Orion and Taurus, with tour group members taking in the sight. This is a 2-second exposure at f/2 with the 24mm lens and ISO 2000 wth the Canon 5D MkII.
The core of the Milky Way in Sagittarius low in the south over the Frenchman River valley at Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan. This is from the 76 Ranch Corral site. Grasslands is a Dark Sky Preserve.
13897860 - The core of the Milky Way in Sagittarius low in the south over the Frenchman River valley at Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan. This is from the 76 Ranch Corral site. Grasslands is a Dark Sky Preserve.
This is the totally eclipsed Moon of November 8, 2022 set in the stars of Aries, with the planet Uranus nearby, visible as the greenish star about three Moon diameters away from the Moon at the 10 o'clock position. Uranus was at oppostion the next night, November 9, at magnitude 5.6.
13897852 - This is the totally eclipsed Moon of November 8, 2022 set in the stars of Aries, with the planet Uranus nearby, visible as the greenish star about three Moon diameters away from the Moon at the 10 o'clock position. Uranus was at oppostion the next night, November 9, at magnitude 5.6.
A composite stack of 12 images taken June 11/12, 2017 of the waning gibbous Moon tracking low across the southern sky on a June nght, from moonrise at left at 11:30 pm to when it began to leave the frame at right at 4 a.m. and when the sky was brightening with dawn. Images are at 25-minute intervals. The sky is blue here from the moonlight.
13897834 - A composite stack of 12 images taken June 11/12, 2017 of the waning gibbous Moon tracking low across the southern sky on a June nght, from moonrise at left at 11:30 pm to when it began to leave the frame at right at 4 a.m. and when the sky was brightening with dawn. Images are at 25-minute intervals. The sky is blue here from the moonlight.
The area of the head of Orion with the large Lambda Orionis nebulosity surrounding the star Meissa at top, with Betelgeuse (left) and Bellatrix (right) at bottom, with the Fornax Lightrack tracker and 200mm lens + Canon 5D MkII. The open cluster around Meissa is Collinder 69.
13897818 - The area of the head of Orion with the large Lambda Orionis nebulosity surrounding the star Meissa at top, with Betelgeuse (left) and Bellatrix (right) at bottom, with the Fornax Lightrack tracker and 200mm lens + Canon 5D MkII. The open cluster around Meissa is Collinder 69.
The Northern Lights in the moonlight arcing over the Rafsundet Strait near the entrance to the Trollfjord in Norway. This was from the deck of the ms Trollfjord, October 15, 2019 on the northbound cruise.
13897805 - The Northern Lights in the moonlight arcing over the Rafsundet Strait near the entrance to the Trollfjord in Norway. This was from the deck of the ms Trollfjord, October 15, 2019 on the northbound cruise.
This is a portrait of the main nebulosity in Orion around the Belt and Sword, including: the Orion Nebula itself (at bottom), aka Messiers 42 and 43; the Running Man Nebula above (aka NGC 1973-5-7); the dark Horsehead Nebula (B33) silhouetted in front of the bright nebula IC 434; the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) above Alnitak; and at top left the reflection nebulas Messier 78 and NGC 2071.
13897802 - This is a portrait of the main nebulosity in Orion around the Belt and Sword, including: the Orion Nebula itself (at bottom), aka Messiers 42 and 43; the Running Man Nebula above (aka NGC 1973-5-7); the dark Horsehead Nebula (B33) silhouetted in front of the bright nebula IC 434; the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) above Alnitak; and at top left the reflection nebulas Messier 78 and NGC 2071.
The rising of the almost Full Moon (1 day before full) on September 12, 2019, taken from home in a quick shot, looking over the old rake I often use for a foreground prop. The dark blue in the sky near the horizon is the shadow of the Earth rising.
13897786 - The rising of the almost Full Moon (1 day before full) on September 12, 2019, taken from home in a quick shot, looking over the old rake I often use for a foreground prop. The dark blue in the sky near the horizon is the shadow of the Earth rising.
The large star-forming region of IC 1396 in Cepheus, taken September 4, 2018 from home in southern Alberta. The wide field includes the bright orange star Mu Cephei, or Herschel’s Garnet Star, at upper left. The Elephant Trunk Nebula is just right of centre. North is at top.
13897783 - The large star-forming region of IC 1396 in Cepheus, taken September 4, 2018 from home in southern Alberta. The wide field includes the bright orange star Mu Cephei, or Herschel’s Garnet Star, at upper left. The Elephant Trunk Nebula is just right of centre. North is at top.
The galactic centre area of the Milky Way in Sagittarius behind the grand old barn near home in southern Alberta, on June 30, 2019. Illumination of the barn is from twilight to the north, but also from light pollution skyglow from the west off frame at right. The sky is blue from the perpetual summer twilight at this time of year.
13897676 - The galactic centre area of the Milky Way in Sagittarius behind the grand old barn near home in southern Alberta, on June 30, 2019. Illumination of the barn is from twilight to the north, but also from light pollution skyglow from the west off frame at right. The sky is blue from the perpetual summer twilight at this time of year.
The large emission nebula IC 1805 in Cassiopeia, aka the Heart Nebula. The round nebula at top right is NGC 896. The large loose star cluster at centre is Mel 15; the star cluster at left is NGC 1027. The small cluster below NGC 896 is Tombaugh 4.
13897628 - The large emission nebula IC 1805 in Cassiopeia, aka the Heart Nebula. The round nebula at top right is NGC 896. The large loose star cluster at centre is Mel 15; the star cluster at left is NGC 1027. The small cluster below NGC 896 is Tombaugh 4.
Aurora reflected in the calm waters of Frame Lake this evening and arching over the Prince of Wales Museum in Yellowknife, NWT, on Sept 5, 2019. The Museum exterior is lit by rippling coloured LED lights that mimic the aurora. The Big Dipper and Ursa Major are above the aurora. The arc of the Lights was brighter earlier on this evening but had faded by the time I got set, but came back somewhat, as I shot here. I shot this from Somba K’e Park.
13897627 - Aurora reflected in the calm waters of Frame Lake this evening and arching over the Prince of Wales Museum in Yellowknife, NWT, on Sept 5, 2019. The Museum exterior is lit by rippling coloured LED lights that mimic the aurora. The Big Dipper and Ursa Major are above the aurora. The arc of the Lights was brighter earlier on this evening but had faded by the time I got set, but came back somewhat, as I shot here. I shot this from Somba K’e Park.
A demo image with the Orion 80mm CF Apo and Celestron AVX mount, with 3 x 8 minute and 3 x 6 minutes, at ISO 1600 with Canon 6D MkII plus shorter 3 x 2 minute and 3 x 1 minute exposures blended in with luminosity masks. Guided with the Orion Starshoot and Orion finderscope, using PHD2, with a lot of wild excursions in the guiding.
13897608 - A demo image with the Orion 80mm CF Apo and Celestron AVX mount, with 3 x 8 minute and 3 x 6 minutes, at ISO 1600 with Canon 6D MkII plus shorter 3 x 2 minute and 3 x 1 minute exposures blended in with luminosity masks. Guided with the Orion Starshoot and Orion finderscope, using PHD2, with a lot of wild excursions in the guiding.
A collection of bright star clusters and colourful nebulas in central Auriga.
13897602 - A collection of bright star clusters and colourful nebulas in central Auriga.
The constellation of Canis Major, including the bright star Sirius, and below it, the open cluster M41. At bottom is the loose cluster/asterism CR 140. This is a stack of 6 x 4 minute exposures at f/2.8 with the Sigma 50mm lens and Canon 60Da at ISO 800. I shot this from Coonabarabran, Australia with the constellation straight overhead. I used the iOptron Sky Tracker. High cloud added the natural glows around stars - no filter was employed here.
13897592 - The constellation of Canis Major, including the bright star Sirius, and below it, the open cluster M41. At bottom is the loose cluster/asterism CR 140. This is a stack of 6 x 4 minute exposures at f/2.8 with the Sigma 50mm lens and Canon 60Da at ISO 800. I shot this from Coonabarabran, Australia with the constellation straight overhead. I used the iOptron Sky Tracker. High cloud added the natural glows around stars - no filter was employed here.
The waning gibbous Moon approaches the star Aldebaran at an occultation on the morning of September 12, 2017. This is a multiple exposure composite of the ingress phase that occurred before sunrise, with the Moon from the final exposure and the star from exposures taken at 4-minute intervals prior to that last exposure. For the actual ingress I switched to HD movie to shoot a video of the event.
13897573 - The waning gibbous Moon approaches the star Aldebaran at an occultation on the morning of September 12, 2017. This is a multiple exposure composite of the ingress phase that occurred before sunrise, with the Moon from the final exposure and the star from exposures taken at 4-minute intervals prior to that last exposure. For the actual ingress I switched to HD movie to shoot a video of the event.
A selfie with me observing with the Celestron SE6 scope and using the iPad and WiFi connection to control the scope. Version 1 looking up at the sky. Taken August 18, 2019 in the light of the rising waning gibbous Moon.
13897571 - A selfie with me observing with the Celestron SE6 scope and using the iPad and WiFi connection to control the scope. Version 1 looking up at the sky. Taken August 18, 2019 in the light of the rising waning gibbous Moon.
Orion rising in the moonlight over an old fence and farm implement at my house in southern Alberta, on a very cold and frosty -20° C night on January 3, 2017. Illumination is from the waxing crescent Moon.
13897546 - Orion rising in the moonlight over an old fence and farm implement at my house in southern Alberta, on a very cold and frosty -20° C night on January 3, 2017. Illumination is from the waxing crescent Moon.
The last rays of the setting Sun catch the peaks around the Columbia Icefields in Jasper National Park, Alberta, on July 27, 2020. The waxing quarter Moon shines over Mount Andromeda and sunlight illuminates the glacier on Mount Athabasca at left. The famous Athabasca Glacier itself is at centre. Snow Dome Glacier is at right. The meltwater lake in the middle distance is Sunwapta Lake.
13897516 - The last rays of the setting Sun catch the peaks around the Columbia Icefields in Jasper National Park, Alberta, on July 27, 2020. The waxing quarter Moon shines over Mount Andromeda and sunlight illuminates the glacier on Mount Athabasca at left. The famous Athabasca Glacier itself is at centre. Snow Dome Glacier is at right. The meltwater lake in the middle distance is Sunwapta Lake.
This is a telephoto lens panorama of a low and late-season display of noctilucent clouds in the north on August 7, 2022. This was the latest I had seen NLCs from my latitude of 51° N. This was taken from home in southern Alberta on a night which also featured a Kp5-level aurora show that included STEVE.
13897481 - This is a telephoto lens panorama of a low and late-season display of noctilucent clouds in the north on August 7, 2022. This was the latest I had seen NLCs from my latitude of 51° N. This was taken from home in southern Alberta on a night which also featured a Kp5-level aurora show that included STEVE.
The Full Moon and a perigean Full Moon at that, rising near home over a prairie farm in the distance, on December 3, 2017.
13897407 - The Full Moon and a perigean Full Moon at that, rising near home over a prairie farm in the distance, on December 3, 2017.
The partial eclipse of the Sun, October 23, 2014, as seen from Jasper, Alberta, shot under clear skies through a mylar filter, on the front of a 66mm f/6 apo refractor using the Canon 60Da for 1/8000 (!) sec exposure at ISO 100. The colours are natural, with the mylar filter providing a neutral “white light” image. The big sunspot on the Sun that day is just disappearing behind the Moon’s limb. The mylar filter gave a white Sun, its natural colour, but I have tinted the Sun’s disk yellow for a more pleasing view that is not just white Sun/black sky.
13897388 - The partial eclipse of the Sun, October 23, 2014, as seen from Jasper, Alberta, shot under clear skies through a mylar filter, on the front of a 66mm f/6 apo refractor using the Canon 60Da for 1/8000 (!) sec exposure at ISO 100. The colours are natural, with the mylar filter providing a neutral “white light” image. The big sunspot on the Sun that day is just disappearing behind the Moon’s limb. The mylar filter gave a white Sun, its natural colour, but I have tinted the Sun’s disk yellow for a more pleasing view that is not just white Sun/black sky.
Twilight at Red Rock Canyon area in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, July 17, 2014. Mt. Blakiston is to the right, named for the first scientific explorer, Thomas Blakiston, to travel and map this area as part of the Palliser Expedition, 1858-59. The foreground has wild roses, the emblem of Alberta. This is a single frame from a time-lapse movie, taken with the Canon 5D MkII and 14mm Rokinon lens.
13897380 - Twilight at Red Rock Canyon area in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, July 17, 2014. Mt. Blakiston is to the right, named for the first scientific explorer, Thomas Blakiston, to travel and map this area as part of the Palliser Expedition, 1858-59. The foreground has wild roses, the emblem of Alberta. This is a single frame from a time-lapse movie, taken with the Canon 5D MkII and 14mm Rokinon lens.
Portrait of a Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) at night with the moon behind
13828333 - Portrait of a Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) at night with the moon behind
This frames the bright Scutum Starcloud at centre and surrounding region of the Milky Way,with the bright starfields contrasting with the dark lanes and obscuring dust in this region of the Milky Way. The bright star cluster Messier 11,or the Wild Duck Cluster,is left of centre embedded in the Starcloud. The smaller star cluster M26 is below it. At bottom right,the star cluster set in a dark lane and above the blue star is NGC 6649. That blue star has a small reflection nebula around it,IC 1287.
13999719 - This frames the bright Scutum Starcloud at centre and surrounding region of the Milky Way,with the bright starfields contrasting with the dark lanes and obscuring dust in this region of the Milky Way. The bright star cluster Messier 11,or the Wild Duck Cluster,is left of centre embedded in the Starcloud. The smaller star cluster M26 is below it. At bottom right,the star cluster set in a dark lane and above the blue star is NGC 6649. That blue star has a small reflection nebula around it,IC 1287.
The Blakiston Valley in Waterton Lakes National Park,in Alberta,Canada,in a panorama captured by moonlight,May 29,2023. Illumination is from the waxing gibbous Moon just off frame at top.
13999714 - The Blakiston Valley in Waterton Lakes National Park,in Alberta,Canada,in a panorama captured by moonlight,May 29,2023. Illumination is from the waxing gibbous Moon just off frame at top.
The passage of the SpaceX G2-9 Starlink group at about 3:30 am on May 15,2023,with the satellite chain still bright five days after its May 10 launch from Vandenburgh Air Force Base in California. This is most of the group,though a bright leader satellite did pass by a minute prior following the same path. The satellites were predicted to be magntiude 3.0 but appear as bright as first magnitude stars. This is looking northwest toward the Big Dipper at top. The glow of morning twilight brightening the sky. The satellite train is traveling from left to right here,from southwest to north. This is
13999617 - The passage of the SpaceX G2-9 Starlink group at about 3:30 am on May 15,2023,with the satellite chain still bright five days after its May 10 launch from Vandenburgh Air Force Base in California. This is most of the group,though a bright leader satellite did pass by a minute prior following the same path. The satellites were predicted to be magntiude 3.0 but appear as bright as first magnitude stars. This is looking northwest toward the Big Dipper at top. The glow of morning twilight brightening the sky. The satellite train is traveling from left to right here,from southwest to north. This is
A 330° panorama of the great April aurora show on April 23,2023,taken from home in southern Alberta. One other camera is in the scene,taking a time-lapse. North is left of centre; east right of centre; south is at right; . The crescent Moon and Venus are setting in the west at far left in clouds.
13999547 - A 330° panorama of the great April aurora show on April 23,2023,taken from home in southern Alberta. One other camera is in the scene,taking a time-lapse. North is left of centre; east right of centre; south is at right; . The crescent Moon and Venus are setting in the west at far left in clouds.
The rising of the Full Moon just before Easter weekend,on Wednesday,April 5,2023,with Good Friday two days later on April 7. The Moon appears quite pink and in a bright blue sky,as moonrise this night was a few minutes before sunset. However,the Sun was in clouds to the northwest and not lighting the foreground.
13999483 - The rising of the Full Moon just before Easter weekend,on Wednesday,April 5,2023,with Good Friday two days later on April 7. The Moon appears quite pink and in a bright blue sky,as moonrise this night was a few minutes before sunset. However,the Sun was in clouds to the northwest and not lighting the foreground.
A fine showing of auroral curtains in the northeastern sky,with the Big Dipper and Ursa Major at upper left,with the sky and ground also illumimnated by the light of the waxing crescent Moon. This was February 25,2023 from the observing deck at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,Churchill,Manitoba.
13999481 - A fine showing of auroral curtains in the northeastern sky,with the Big Dipper and Ursa Major at upper left,with the sky and ground also illumimnated by the light of the waxing crescent Moon. This was February 25,2023 from the observing deck at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,Churchill,Manitoba.
Venus in a close conjunction with dimmer Saturn in the evening twilight on January 22,2023. They were 22 arc minutes apart this evening. The 1-day-old waxing crescent Moon is below the planet pair deep in the twilight. The magnitude 2.8 star Deneb Algiedi,aka Delta Capricorni,is faintly visible below Venus. Venus was magnitude -3.9 while Saturn was magnitude 0.8.
13999423 - Venus in a close conjunction with dimmer Saturn in the evening twilight on January 22,2023. They were 22 arc minutes apart this evening. The 1-day-old waxing crescent Moon is below the planet pair deep in the twilight. The magnitude 2.8 star Deneb Algiedi,aka Delta Capricorni,is faintly visible below Venus. Venus was magnitude -3.9 while Saturn was magnitude 0.8.
A 270° panorama of the Northern Lights and aurora curtains across the southern sky,on February 22,2023,from the grounds of the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,in Churchill,Manitoba. This was a Kp5 level aurora this night,active from twilight on and prominent here in the south at about 8:30 pm. Orion and the winter stars are embedded in the aurora at right of centre,above the old launch structures of the Churchill Rocket Range.
13999402 - A 270° panorama of the Northern Lights and aurora curtains across the southern sky,on February 22,2023,from the grounds of the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,in Churchill,Manitoba. This was a Kp5 level aurora this night,active from twilight on and prominent here in the south at about 8:30 pm. Orion and the winter stars are embedded in the aurora at right of centre,above the old launch structures of the Churchill Rocket Range.
The setting Sun descending into a fog bank on a rural highway looking due west,on the evening of the vernal equinox,March 20,2023. So the Sun is setting due west. The fog dims and reddens the Sun,illustrating atmospheric absorption. This was on Highway 561 in southern Alberta.
13999388 - The setting Sun descending into a fog bank on a rural highway looking due west,on the evening of the vernal equinox,March 20,2023. So the Sun is setting due west. The fog dims and reddens the Sun,illustrating atmospheric absorption. This was on Highway 561 in southern Alberta.
This is a framing of the central region of the northern spring constellation of Canes Venatici,including its two brightest stars,the double star Cor Caroli at bottom and Chara at lower right.
13999265 - This is a framing of the central region of the northern spring constellation of Canes Venatici,including its two brightest stars,the double star Cor Caroli at bottom and Chara at lower right.
This wide-field image frames the end stars of the Big Dipper's handle — Mizar at top,and Alkaid at bottom — and to also include in the frame the bright galaxies Messier 101 (at left) and Messier 51 (at lower right,aka the Whirlpool Galaxy). They are small on this image scale but the image serves for a finder chart illustration of the location of these galaxies relative to the Handle. The famous double star Mizar and Alcor is also obvious at top,as is the red giant star 83 Ursa Majoris. The field is 10° x 15°,so wider than binoculars.
13999239 - This wide-field image frames the end stars of the Big Dipper's handle — Mizar at top,and Alkaid at bottom — and to also include in the frame the bright galaxies Messier 101 (at left) and Messier 51 (at lower right,aka the Whirlpool Galaxy). They are small on this image scale but the image serves for a finder chart illustration of the location of these galaxies relative to the Handle. The famous double star Mizar and Alcor is also obvious at top,as is the red giant star 83 Ursa Majoris. The field is 10° x 15°,so wider than binoculars.
The quarter Moon,(in Leo) and planets Venus (brightest at right) and Mars (dim and upper left of Venus) in the late evening twilight over the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini are above Venus. This was May 27,2023,from the Sierra Cabins West property near Lundbreck,Alberta,shot during a workshop as part of the program for the Lightchasers Conference held in Pincher Creek,Alberta. Illumination is by moonlight and some car headlights.
13999152 - The quarter Moon,(in Leo) and planets Venus (brightest at right) and Mars (dim and upper left of Venus) in the late evening twilight over the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini are above Venus. This was May 27,2023,from the Sierra Cabins West property near Lundbreck,Alberta,shot during a workshop as part of the program for the Lightchasers Conference held in Pincher Creek,Alberta. Illumination is by moonlight and some car headlights.
A moonlit scene of yellow balsamroot wildflowers blowing in the wind on a moonlit night in the Blakiston Valley in Waterton Lakes National Park,Alberta,May 29,2023. Blakiston Creek winds below toward the Waterton River. The waxing gibbous Moon just off frame at top provides the illumination. Moonlight is the same colour temperature as sunlight,so in a long exposure like this,a scene looks like daylight
13999115 - A moonlit scene of yellow balsamroot wildflowers blowing in the wind on a moonlit night in the Blakiston Valley in Waterton Lakes National Park,Alberta,May 29,2023. Blakiston Creek winds below toward the Waterton River. The waxing gibbous Moon just off frame at top provides the illumination. Moonlight is the same colour temperature as sunlight,so in a long exposure like this,a scene looks like daylight
A panorama of the Milky Way from Scutum (at left) to Serpens (at right),taking in the Scutum Starcloud just left of centre and the Messier 16 and 17 nebulas (the Eagle and Swan respectively) at right. The large faint patch of red above and left of M16 is Sharpless 2-54. The star cluster M25 is at lower right. The M11 and M26 clusters are visible at centre in Scutum.
13999050 - A panorama of the Milky Way from Scutum (at left) to Serpens (at right),taking in the Scutum Starcloud just left of centre and the Messier 16 and 17 nebulas (the Eagle and Swan respectively) at right. The large faint patch of red above and left of M16 is Sharpless 2-54. The star cluster M25 is at lower right. The M11 and M26 clusters are visible at centre in Scutum.
This frames the Milky Way from the bright star Altair in Aquila (at bottom left) up to Albireo in Cygnus (at top right). In between are the small constellations of Sagitta the Arrow and Vulpecula the Fox.
13999035 - This frames the Milky Way from the bright star Altair in Aquila (at bottom left) up to Albireo in Cygnus (at top right). In between are the small constellations of Sagitta the Arrow and Vulpecula the Fox.
The star cluster Messier 50 in Monoceros the Unicorn,in a wide-field telephoto image simulating the feld of view of binoculars. The Seagull Nebula shows up at bottom. To the left is the cluster NGC 2353.
13999007 - The star cluster Messier 50 in Monoceros the Unicorn,in a wide-field telephoto image simulating the feld of view of binoculars. The Seagull Nebula shows up at bottom. To the left is the cluster NGC 2353.
The northern sky over the Hoodoos badlands formations in the Red Deer River valley near Drumheller,Alberta,on a night with some aurora tinting the sky yellow and magenta,with a touch of blue. The foreground is lit partly by a yardlight nearby and car headlights. The Big Dipper is at left; Polaris and the Little Dipper are above centre; the W of Cassiopeia is at upper right.
13998900 - The northern sky over the Hoodoos badlands formations in the Red Deer River valley near Drumheller,Alberta,on a night with some aurora tinting the sky yellow and magenta,with a touch of blue. The foreground is lit partly by a yardlight nearby and car headlights. The Big Dipper is at left; Polaris and the Little Dipper are above centre; the W of Cassiopeia is at upper right.
Mercury (on the right) and Jupiter in a close conjunction just 1.3° apart but very low in the west in the evening twilight,on March 27,2023. Taken from home in southern Alberta. Mercury was ascending higher each night,beginning its best evening apparition for the year,while Jupiter was dropping out of sight ending its months-long appearance. Jupiter was magnitude -2 this night,while Mercury was -1.4.
13998881 - Mercury (on the right) and Jupiter in a close conjunction just 1.3° apart but very low in the west in the evening twilight,on March 27,2023. Taken from home in southern Alberta. Mercury was ascending higher each night,beginning its best evening apparition for the year,while Jupiter was dropping out of sight ending its months-long appearance. Jupiter was magnitude -2 this night,while Mercury was -1.4.
A framing of the northern spring constellation of Cancer the Crab,between the constellations of Leo (at left with the bright star Regulus) and part of Gemini (at upper right with Castor and Pollux) and Canis Minor (at lower right woth Procyon). Cancer is marked by the large binocular star cluster,Messier 44,the Beehive,at centre here. The head of Hydra is at bottom centre. Between the two is the small star cluster M67,just resolved here.
13998878 - A framing of the northern spring constellation of Cancer the Crab,between the constellations of Leo (at left with the bright star Regulus) and part of Gemini (at upper right with Castor and Pollux) and Canis Minor (at lower right woth Procyon). Cancer is marked by the large binocular star cluster,Messier 44,the Beehive,at centre here. The head of Hydra is at bottom centre. Between the two is the small star cluster M67,just resolved here.
This is the "Leo Trio" or Leo Triplet of spiral galaxies,that includes two Messier galaxies: M65 (lower right),M66 (lower left),along with the edge-on spiral NGC 3628 (top). The galaxy NGC 3593 is at right. A number of other faint 15th-magnitude IC and PGC galaxies are also in the frame as tiny fuzzy spots hard to distinguish from stars at this scale. The Class K3 orange giant star 73 or n Leonis is at right.
13998870 - This is the "Leo Trio" or Leo Triplet of spiral galaxies,that includes two Messier galaxies: M65 (lower right),M66 (lower left),along with the edge-on spiral NGC 3628 (top). The galaxy NGC 3593 is at right. A number of other faint 15th-magnitude IC and PGC galaxies are also in the frame as tiny fuzzy spots hard to distinguish from stars at this scale. The Class K3 orange giant star 73 or n Leonis is at right.
This is a panorama of the colourful evening twilight sky over the Badlands of the Red Deer River,Alberta,taken from the Horsethief Canyon viewpoint north of Drumheller on the Dinosaur Trail. The very thin crescent Moon is in the photo,but tough to see. It is a pale crescent very low in the orange glow to the right of the grain bins at far left.
13998841 - This is a panorama of the colourful evening twilight sky over the Badlands of the Red Deer River,Alberta,taken from the Horsethief Canyon viewpoint north of Drumheller on the Dinosaur Trail. The very thin crescent Moon is in the photo,but tough to see. It is a pale crescent very low in the orange glow to the right of the grain bins at far left.
This is a framing of the Cygnus Starcloud in the northern Milky Way,with the patches of red hydrogen gas throughout the region emphasized. The field takes in the "neck" of Cygnus,from north of Eta Cygni at left,to just south of Beta Cygni,aka Albireo,at right,with the field oriented along the Milky Way. Some of the nebulosity here is numbered in the Sharpless catalogue. For example,the faint arc left of Albireo is Sharpless 2-91. The brightest patch of nebulosity lower left of Eta Cygni is Sh2-101. The nebula in the botttom right corner is NGC 6820 in Vulpecula. The globular cluster M56 in Lyr
13998821 - This is a framing of the Cygnus Starcloud in the northern Milky Way,with the patches of red hydrogen gas throughout the region emphasized. The field takes in the "neck" of Cygnus,from north of Eta Cygni at left,to just south of Beta Cygni,aka Albireo,at right,with the field oriented along the Milky Way. Some of the nebulosity here is numbered in the Sharpless catalogue. For example,the faint arc left of Albireo is Sharpless 2-91. The brightest patch of nebulosity lower left of Eta Cygni is Sh2-101. The nebula in the botttom right corner is NGC 6820 in Vulpecula. The globular cluster M56 in Lyr
Auroral curtains in the north over the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,with a lone photographer setting up. This was February 25,2023 from the parking lot.
13998747 - Auroral curtains in the north over the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,with a lone photographer setting up. This was February 25,2023 from the parking lot.
A framing of the converging rays of aurora overhead at the magnetic zenith,a little south of the true zenith at 90° altitude. This was the superb Kp6 to 7 display on March 23,2023,with the aurora in a pulsating mode rather than forming rippling curtains. Leo is just below the convergence point. The Big Dipper is at top. At this time later in the display the rays showed a lot of red as well as green. A short exposure helped freeze the rapid pulsations and capture the structure.
13998745 - A framing of the converging rays of aurora overhead at the magnetic zenith,a little south of the true zenith at 90° altitude. This was the superb Kp6 to 7 display on March 23,2023,with the aurora in a pulsating mode rather than forming rippling curtains. Leo is just below the convergence point. The Big Dipper is at top. At this time later in the display the rays showed a lot of red as well as green. A short exposure helped freeze the rapid pulsations and capture the structure.
The rising Full "Wolf" Moon of January 6,2023 over the Badlands of Horseshoe Canyon,near Drumheller,Alberta. The sequence demonstrates the changes in colour of the rising Moon from atmospheric absorption,and changes in its shape from atmospheric refraction.
13998730 - The rising Full "Wolf" Moon of January 6,2023 over the Badlands of Horseshoe Canyon,near Drumheller,Alberta. The sequence demonstrates the changes in colour of the rising Moon from atmospheric absorption,and changes in its shape from atmospheric refraction.
A 360° fish-eye panorama of the great equinox aurora of March 23,2023,with the aurora already bright as the sky darkened at twilight. The Kp values peaked at Kp7 this night.
13998724 - A 360° fish-eye panorama of the great equinox aurora of March 23,2023,with the aurora already bright as the sky darkened at twilight. The Kp values peaked at Kp7 this night.
This is the constellation of Cassiopeia,with the "W" stars at bottom,framed to include most of the star clusters and nebulas in the constellation. And it's a lot in this part of the Milky Way!
13998640 - This is the constellation of Cassiopeia,with the "W" stars at bottom,framed to include most of the star clusters and nebulas in the constellation. And it's a lot in this part of the Milky Way!
This is a portrait of the constellation of Cygnus the Swan,with the extensive patches of red hydrogen gas that permeate this area of the Milky Way emphasized. The field is oriented along the Milky Way.
13998600 - This is a portrait of the constellation of Cygnus the Swan,with the extensive patches of red hydrogen gas that permeate this area of the Milky Way emphasized. The field is oriented along the Milky Way.
The Hoodoos formation near Banff,Alberta,on the Tunnel Mountain Drive,overlooking the Bow River and Mount Rundle,with the stars and Milky Way in the sky. Illumination is by starlight,twilight sky colours,and lights from Banff in the distance. The sky is bright and blue with summer twilight,and from the waxing Moon low in the sky behind Mount Rundle.
13998597 - The Hoodoos formation near Banff,Alberta,on the Tunnel Mountain Drive,overlooking the Bow River and Mount Rundle,with the stars and Milky Way in the sky. Illumination is by starlight,twilight sky colours,and lights from Banff in the distance. The sky is bright and blue with summer twilight,and from the waxing Moon low in the sky behind Mount Rundle.
This frames the rich assortment of bright and dark nebulas in northern Cygnus,around the bright star Deneb above centre.
13998548 - This frames the rich assortment of bright and dark nebulas in northern Cygnus,around the bright star Deneb above centre.
Venus in the evening twilight over Lundbreck Falls on the Crowsnest River,near Pincher Creek,Alberta on May 28,2023.
13998459 - Venus in the evening twilight over Lundbreck Falls on the Crowsnest River,near Pincher Creek,Alberta on May 28,2023.
A panorama of the extensive aurora of Oct 20/21,2023,from home in southern Alberta. The aurora coloured much of the sky,but was most prominent as a larrge diffuse arc across the north,with a more active structured arc low in the north. This was at local midnight,MDT.
13998456 - A panorama of the extensive aurora of Oct 20/21,2023,from home in southern Alberta. The aurora coloured much of the sky,but was most prominent as a larrge diffuse arc across the north,with a more active structured arc low in the north. This was at local midnight,MDT.
This was the nearly Full Moon on August 29,2023,on the night before the official "Super Blue Full Moon" of August 30. I shot it here when it was still low in the sky and yellowed by smoke and dust,and set in the deep blue twilight sky.
13998433 - This was the nearly Full Moon on August 29,2023,on the night before the official "Super Blue Full Moon" of August 30. I shot it here when it was still low in the sky and yellowed by smoke and dust,and set in the deep blue twilight sky.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) on the night of January 22/23,2023 when it was in Draco,with it near the reddish star Edasich (aka Iota Draconis) at top,and the edge-on galaxy NGC 5907 below the comet. To the right of that galaxy is NGC 5866,aka M102. The dust tail of the comet was showing a strong anti-tail spike ahead of the comet's greenish coma,as this was two days before we crossed the plane of the comet's orbit when we would see its dust tail "edge-on." The coma of the comet is strongly cyan or green from glowing diatomic carbon molecules,common for comets. There was little sign of the blue ion ta
13998387 - Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) on the night of January 22/23,2023 when it was in Draco,with it near the reddish star Edasich (aka Iota Draconis) at top,and the edge-on galaxy NGC 5907 below the comet. To the right of that galaxy is NGC 5866,aka M102. The dust tail of the comet was showing a strong anti-tail spike ahead of the comet's greenish coma,as this was two days before we crossed the plane of the comet's orbit when we would see its dust tail "edge-on." The coma of the comet is strongly cyan or green from glowing diatomic carbon molecules,common for comets. There was little sign of the blue ion ta
This is Venus (brightest) and dim Mecury (low and to the left in the twilight) in the dawn sky as morning stars.
13998363 - This is Venus (brightest) and dim Mecury (low and to the left in the twilight) in the dawn sky as morning stars.
The rising Full Moon of January 6,2023 over the Badlands of Horseshoe Canyon,near Drumheller,Alberta. Here the Moon is set in the pink Belt of Venus and with dark blue crepuscular rays (or more correctly,anti-crepuscular rays) converging on the point directly opposite the Sun. The rays are shadows cast by clouds in the west,which parted enough for a few moments for the setting Sun to light the foreground,making for a colourful contrast between ground and sky.
13998361 - The rising Full Moon of January 6,2023 over the Badlands of Horseshoe Canyon,near Drumheller,Alberta. Here the Moon is set in the pink Belt of Venus and with dark blue crepuscular rays (or more correctly,anti-crepuscular rays) converging on the point directly opposite the Sun. The rays are shadows cast by clouds in the west,which parted enough for a few moments for the setting Sun to light the foreground,making for a colourful contrast between ground and sky.
A classic complex of auroral curtains and swirls out of the northeast sky with prominent lower greens and upper reds from oxygen. Taken February 23,2023 at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,Churchill,Manitoba.
13998291 - A classic complex of auroral curtains and swirls out of the northeast sky with prominent lower greens and upper reds from oxygen. Taken February 23,2023 at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,Churchill,Manitoba.
Colourful auroral curtains appearing in deep twilight on a Kp6 night on February 26,2023 from the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,Churchill,Manitoba,at 58° N. The blue twilight colours blend with the aurora colours to produce a multi-coloured display,with rich magentas,not deep red. The green also appears in different shades.
13998273 - Colourful auroral curtains appearing in deep twilight on a Kp6 night on February 26,2023 from the Churchill Northern Studies Centre,Churchill,Manitoba,at 58° N. The blue twilight colours blend with the aurora colours to produce a multi-coloured display,with rich magentas,not deep red. The green also appears in different shades.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in the constellation of Auriga on the night of Feb 8,2023. The comet is the small cyan-coloured glow above centre. It was technically in Auriga but heading south into Taurus and in front of the Taurus Dark Clouds here at centre. Mars is the bright orange object right of centre.
13998259 - Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in the constellation of Auriga on the night of Feb 8,2023. The comet is the small cyan-coloured glow above centre. It was technically in Auriga but heading south into Taurus and in front of the Taurus Dark Clouds here at centre. Mars is the bright orange object right of centre.
Full Moon rising at fall equinox, over Vermilion Lakes, and beside Mt. Rundle, Banff National Park, September 1995.
13900600 - Full Moon rising at fall equinox, over Vermilion Lakes, and beside Mt. Rundle, Banff National Park, September 1995.
Two photographers and participants at my June 17, 2018 Night Photography Workshop in Waterton Lakes National Park, at Maskinonge, in the evening twilight, with the twilight colours over the lake. Two swans are in the distance. This was a magical evening.
13900594 - Two photographers and participants at my June 17, 2018 Night Photography Workshop in Waterton Lakes National Park, at Maskinonge, in the evening twilight, with the twilight colours over the lake. Two swans are in the distance. This was a magical evening.
Twilight at Prosperous Lake on the Ingraham Trail, near Yellowknife, NWT, Sept. 7, 2019. The colours are accentuated by volcanic ash in the atmosphere.
13900589 - Twilight at Prosperous Lake on the Ingraham Trail, near Yellowknife, NWT, Sept. 7, 2019. The colours are accentuated by volcanic ash in the atmosphere.
The Hoodoos in the Red Deer River valley on Highway 10 east of Drumheller. Taken September 21, 2013 with the Canon 5D MkII and 24mm lens with a single 30-second exposure. Light from waning gibbous Moon provided the illumination.
13900573 - The Hoodoos in the Red Deer River valley on Highway 10 east of Drumheller. Taken September 21, 2013 with the Canon 5D MkII and 24mm lens with a single 30-second exposure. Light from waning gibbous Moon provided the illumination.
The Heart Nebula (aka IC 1805) at right, and the Soul Nebula (aka IC 1848) at left, in Cassiopeia. The round nebula at top right is NGC 896. The star cluster at right embedded in the Heart Nebula is NGC 1027. Shot from home in Alberta on November 21, 2019.
13900520 - The Heart Nebula (aka IC 1805) at right, and the Soul Nebula (aka IC 1848) at left, in Cassiopeia. The round nebula at top right is NGC 896. The star cluster at right embedded in the Heart Nebula is NGC 1027. Shot from home in Alberta on November 21, 2019.
The Milky Way in Sagittarius (toward the galactic centre) going down behind the badland hills along the Red Deer River. I shot this near East Coulee on Highway 10 in Alberta, on an autumn night. Some clouds were drifting through over the exposure times. Passing car headlights helped light the trees on the opposite bank.
13900516 - The Milky Way in Sagittarius (toward the galactic centre) going down behind the badland hills along the Red Deer River. I shot this near East Coulee on Highway 10 in Alberta, on an autumn night. Some clouds were drifting through over the exposure times. Passing car headlights helped light the trees on the opposite bank.
The dark nebula on the Cygnus-Cepheus border nicknamed the Funnel Cloud Nebula (a name provided by Alan Whitman in a 2006 Sky and Telescope article) but that is a very prominent naked eye feature to the northern Milky Way, more obvious as a dark area than the Northern Coal Sack to the south. This is a fine object for binoculars and the telephoto lens shot here provides the field of most binoculars.
13900504 - The dark nebula on the Cygnus-Cepheus border nicknamed the Funnel Cloud Nebula (a name provided by Alan Whitman in a 2006 Sky and Telescope article) but that is a very prominent naked eye feature to the northern Milky Way, more obvious as a dark area than the Northern Coal Sack to the south. This is a fine object for binoculars and the telephoto lens shot here provides the field of most binoculars.
An arc of modest aurora borealis (Northern Lights) across the northern horizon, above a prairie meadow in the light of a bright waxing gibbous Moon, a day before Full. This was just after midnight on July 11/12, 2022 when the sky was also still lit by summer twilight colours, and with a weak display of noctilucent clouds also visible low in the northwest at left. The auroral curtains exhibit the usual green band and rays, but also upper altitude reds and purples and a faint blue tint at the very tops where the aurora is lit by the Sun. The aurora was never bright this night (Kp Index was 3 or
13900496 - An arc of modest aurora borealis (Northern Lights) across the northern horizon, above a prairie meadow in the light of a bright waxing gibbous Moon, a day before Full. This was just after midnight on July 11/12, 2022 when the sky was also still lit by summer twilight colours, and with a weak display of noctilucent clouds also visible low in the northwest at left. The auroral curtains exhibit the usual green band and rays, but also upper altitude reds and purples and a faint blue tint at the very tops where the aurora is lit by the Sun. The aurora was never bright this night (Kp Index was 3 or
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