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.