Observing Notesfrom the Tuckahoe IrregularsAgain, I made my way to the Peters' Corner observing site. So many times I have gone out looking for the aurora and been denied...this time all my cameras were empty because I had removed the film from the night before to be processed and I was prepared for another disappointment. BUT, BUT, BUT!!! as I drove into the parking lot I could see the aurora overhead - a nice bluish green extending from the southwest horizon to overhead to the northeast horizon. So, I decided it might be worthwhile to load a camera. As I was fumbling with 120 film and the magazine for the the Mamiya 645 I just glanced at the northeast and saw a wonderful display of red streamers that reached the zenith! For what seemed like hours I was all thumbs trying to finish loading the camera, getting it on the tripod, checking aperture and making sure the lens was set for infinity, attaching the shutter release cable...and the aurora was just beautiful this whole time. God, would I ever get this thing ready? The aurora cooperated and posed for me to burn the roll of 120 print film and then I loaded a 35mm with slide film. I managed to get 20 shots on it before the display subsided. Folks, I hope the film captured what I saw...and I hope every Star Gazer was outside last night. The reds were the most impressive but the blues and whites were ghostly as they appeared overhead, intensified, and disappeared while I watched. Mother Nature really put on her finest display last night! The show was over for me about 8:30 and by 9:00 I packed it in. When I got home I viewed the 35mm slides from the night before. I have a few slides that show the blues and a few that have some very impressive red pillars. The 120 print film will be ready next week...stay tuned. And last night's film gets processed today. Don... |