Skywatching

2024 has been a good year for celestial phenomena, and October is the standout month!

Aurora

The aurora borealis (northern lights) were visible from most of the United States on October 10. Even our adult children could see the aurora from way south (Georgia) and light-polluted cities (Pittsburgh, suburban Chicago).

From our deck looking slightly north of east. The streaks in this 5-second exposure are airplanes. There are at least 5 planes in the field of view. The constellation Cassiopeia is at the far left.

I managed to catch an exposure mostly void of airplanes.

The sun on October 11 as viewed through a solar filter. Flares from sunspots cause the aurora a day or two later.

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

We have a mountain blocking the western horizon, so we had to wait for the comet to rise a bit above the setting sun before we could see it. Then we had three cloudy nights, followed by a full "super" moon. Finally, we a chance to see the comet on October 17 & 18. On October 19 it was getting quite dim in binoculars.

October 17. The comet rises above Fore Mountain, which was illuminated by the full moon.

October 17. A closer view of the comet.

October 19. Venus is in the lower left.

A closer view of the comet.

I'm mildly annoyed that recent cell phones take better sky pictures than my Canon 77D - just point at the sky and click. The sensors and software are impressive. (Of course, they also cost more than my camera.)