Monday, December 10, 2018

The Lights In The Autumn Sky

"I ate breakfast in the kitchen by candlelight, and then drove the five miles to the station through the most glorious October coloring. The sun came up on the way and the swamp maples and dogwood glowed crimson and orange and the stone walls and the cornfields sparkled with the frost; the air was keen and clear and full of promise. I knew something was going to happen."

~Jean Webster
Daddy-Long-Legs


There is another rain storm coming in this week. I don't think it will too bad as far as rain goes, but we will see, Also this week, with be a wonderful chance to photograph something else in the night sky, a comet! It's name is 46P/Wirtanen and was originally discovered, photographically, by American astronomer, Carl A. Witnanen, in 1948. Also happening in the night sky this week, the earth will cross the debris path of the comet, resulting in a meteor shower.

This will mark the first time, since the comet was discovered, that there will be contact with it's debris stream! So, I am excited to say the least! It will fairly viewable to the naked eye, and I am hoping that I will be able to get a really good shot of it. It is especially nice, that it's visit is happening so near the end of autumn! That would be a wonderful way to end my favorite season. The last time a comet was visible, in my area, was during the 1990's, when Hale-Bopp was the big show in the sky!

The end of the week, Thursday into Friday, will be the optimum time for viewing, but that is exactly when the clouds will be rolling in, bringing rain, but the next few days have some possibilities for seeing it. There will be a mixture of clouds and clear sky, so timing will be important. It's more than likely going to come down to crossed fingers, and a little luck! But that's true with most of life, isn't it? Sometimes things in life come down to dumb luck.

Wish me that my life is pleasantly dumb this week, okay?

 #80 Leaf Of The Day
December 10th 2018
Photographed December 9th 2018
Stockton, California


~Mood: Excited
~Me
 


 

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