FALL

Fall has always been my favorite time of year. There is something about the change in the air that makes everything feel a little different. The temperatures finally start to come down after the heat and humidity of summer, making it much more comfortable to be outside. The days get shorter, the mornings have a bit of a chill to them, and there is that unmistakable feeling that the seasons are changing. Then, almost before you realize it, the trees begin putting on their annual display of color.

I also enjoy what happens to the night sky as fall settles in across the Northern Hemisphere. Some of the familiar summer constellations begin moving westward, while the autumn sky brings a different collection of stars and deep-sky objects into view. The cooler nights are especially welcome for getting outside with a telescope or camera. There is something particularly satisfying about standing outside on a crisp fall evening, looking up at a sky that seems a little clearer and darker as the season progresses.

The weekend of the 19th, We took a camping trip up north to Tahquamenon Falls State Park. It turned out to be a great way to experience the season. The cooler weather made camping comfortable, and the trees were beginning to show off their autumn colors. The Falls (See Nature Gallery) themselves were impressive, surrounded by the changing landscape and the feeling that summer was finally giving way to fall. Getting away for a few days, spending time outdoors, and enjoying the scenery was exactly the kind of fall experience I look forward to every year. And, of course, being up north always provides the possibility of getting a good look at the night sky.

Galaxy season

Galaxy season typically runs from February through May. This year, however, the seeing—or viewing conditions—were less than stellar, as can often happen in this part of the country. Consequently, I wasn’t able to capture as many images as I would have liked, and some of what I did capture were of somewhat dubious quality.

Still, there were plenty of opportunities to point the telescope toward some remarkable objects.

The Geeky Part

February

In February, M81 and M82—the Bode’s and Cigar Galaxies—were high in the northeastern sky in the constellation Ursa Major. At roughly 12 million light-years away, both can be viewed with relatively modest equipment.

M81 is a bright grand-design spiral galaxy, while M82, also known as NGC 3034, is a dramatic edge-on starburst galaxy.

Another excellent target is Caldwell 7, or NGC 2403, a bright, loosely structured spiral galaxy located in the circumpolar constellation Camelopardalis. It stands high in the winter sky and can reveal good structure even through small-to-medium telescopes.

M95 and M96, located in Leo, were also worthwhile targets as the constellation climbed into the eastern sky after midnight. And then there was NGC 2903, a gorgeous bright barred spiral galaxy in Leo with a prominent core that is relatively easy to spot.

March

March brings some of my favorite galaxy targets.

The Leo Triplet—M65, M66, and NGC 3628—is a spectacular grouping about 35 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. All three galaxies can fit within the field of view of a low-power telescope. NGC 3628 is also known as the Hamburger Galaxy because of its distinctive appearance.

Another favorite is the Whirlpool Galaxy, M51, a stunning face-on spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici interacting with its smaller companion, NGC 5195.

Then there is the Sombrero Galaxy, M104, located in Virgo. This bright galaxy features a prominent central bulge and a striking dark dust lane running across its edge-on disk.

And finally, Markarian’s Chain—a magnificent string of interconnected galaxies nestled within the Virgo Cluster—is an especially rewarding target for astrophotography and rich-field viewing.

April

April is the peak of “galaxy season” in the Northern Hemisphere.

As we look away from the dusty center of the Milky Way, the night sky opens up to deep space, revealing countless distant galaxies in constellations such as Leo, Virgo, Ursa Major, and Canes Venatici.

Many of the targets mentioned above remain excellent choices throughout April, but this is also when the sheer number of galaxies visible in the spring sky becomes truly impressive. It’s one of my favorite times of year to simply spend an evening exploring the sky.

May

By May, high-altitude spring constellations such as Virgo, Ursa Major, Coma Berenices, and Canes Venatici continue to offer excellent views of deep-sky objects.

One of my top choices is the Needle Galaxy, NGC 4565. This beautiful edge-on spiral galaxy is located in Coma Berenices and is an impressive target for both visual observing and astrophotography.

EPILOGUE

My interest in astronomy and astrophotography goes back more than four decades. I didn’t have much equipment when I started, and the truth is, you don’t need much.

My equipment is still pretty basic. That’s one of the things I enjoy about this hobby: you can get started without spending a fortune. A pair of binoculars, or a low-power telescope can open up an entirely new world. Until next time Clear Skies!

Launch

I launched the website three weeks ago. It was rather anticlimactic. After spending some time planning, designing, tweaking, and second-guessing details, the actual launch came down to a single click of a button. One moment it was private, and the next it was live.

I wasn’t expecting much of a response, and I didn’t get one—which is perfectly fine with me. The website was never intended to chase clicks, likes, or anyone’s approval. It’s simply a reflection of my hobbies and interests.

What matters most is that I like the result. The site is clean, organized, and aesthetically pleasing rather than the cluttered mess that personal websites can sometimes become. More importantly, it feels like an authentic representation of myself. It’s a place where I can share projects, document experiences, and continue experimenting with ideas as they evolve.

Of course, no website is ever truly finished. I’ll continue making small improvements, refining the design, adding new content. In many ways, this launch wasn’t the finish line —it was simply the beginning.

post blackout

A little about me: I’m an avid camper, hiker, & climber; also delve into the worlds of amateur radio, astrophotography, & martial arts. P.S. Morbid fascination with tall ships….

We finally got our power back last night after two days. The storms were hellacious; they started Friday evening just after we set out to get some pizza. By the time we returned; marble sized hail was raining down on us. Fortunately the storms didn’t linger but the damage was severe and wide spread. What followed was a lot of scrambling around to secure some supplies and repeated trips to get fuel for our small generator. Power outages don’t normally bother me; this one however was rather frustrating I suppose I should be grateful that it didn’t occur last week when temperatures were near 100° F.

Now that life is back to normal (Somewhat); I can resume working on my website project. The hope is that you all enjoy viewing these little snippets I post here. Check the blog and gallery sections for further updates….