View Date : August 6, 2007
Time : 11:00PM – 12:00AM
I almost did not go out on this night. I was pretty tired and probably could have used the sleep. Against my better judgment I went out for a quick peek as the sky was temptingly cloudless. I did not bother to bring my telescope with me but the time a spent viewing was well worth it.
My first goal was to identify another constellation. It was Cassiopeia’s turn and it did not take me long. Its “W” shape was clearly visible to the North East. I tried taking a couple of free hand shots and the results turned out to be not so bad. It’s not spectacular but my work is getting better.
Just after I took this picture I tried to get one more shot. I thought I might be able to sit in the folding lawn chair on my deck to help steady myself. In the dark I did not see the pool of water that had collected on the chair from the recent rain. In an instant my shorts were cold and wet. I decided to call it quits and go dry off but I saw something to the North that I don’t often get to see (or take time to notice). The green glow of the Northern Lights had just started and caught my attention. I completely forgot about my soaking wet bottom and watched the show dance and flicker before me. I was able to have enough sense about me to take a couple of pictures that really capture what I saw. Enjoy.
