Grand Canyon

A view of part of our Grand Canyon hike in September. This was taken on Day 3 of our 4-day hike.

We were about 1/2 way to our third campsite, going up toward the South Rim.

A Google Earth view of the hike, from the North Rim (top), and each of the three

campsites we stopped at along the way. Grand Canyon Village (bottom) was

the final destination.

 

Packing the shuttle van for the hike. Danny (our guide) is in the red t-shirt.

 

Kolob Canyons Park

On the trail at Kolob

Shannon and Molly at Kolob

 

After the Kolob Canyon hike

 

Day 3: On the way to dinner on Tonto Plateau.

 

Last day in the Grand Canyon.

(l-r): Me, Molly, Shannon, Alex, Danny

 

"...THAT'S a long way down!"

 

 

 

 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! 4 days, 3 nights...Grand Canyon, North Rim to South Rim.

Sept. 14-17, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013 Orionid Meteor Shower

Tonight (Oct. 20) is the peak of the annual Orionid meteor shower.
Every year at this time, Earth passes through the orbital debris of Halley's comet, named after the English astronomer, Edmond Halley.
Although the comet's last visit through the solar system was in 1986, and it won't come around again until 2061 (every 76 years), the trail of dust and debris that it leaves is still floating in space and Earth passes through it every year on it's journey around the Sun.

Unfortunately, tonight the Moon is big and bright, which will wash out all but the brightest fireballs.
Also, in my location, we are in the middle of a stubborn high-pressure system that is keeping the early-morning fog around for most of the day and night.

But....I have a couple of options.  I can LISTEN to the meteors by either going to the Space Radar web site, located HERE, or I can hear some of them on my FM radio. (If I happen to capture some, I will try to post the audio on my blog later).

If you are lucky enough to have clear skies tonight, find a spot that will block out the glare of the Moon (behind a building, for example) and watch in the early morning hours before dawn.
GOOD LUCK!

Skies Over Meadowcreek Park Observatory (August 4, 2013)

The International Space Station crosses the sky directly overhead (from NW to SE), crossing the
Perseus Double star cluster (circled)....

A Perseid meteor and the Perseus Double star cluster....(part of the constellation Perseus can be seen at the bottom......

A wide-field view of the sky directly overhead.....