Palm Sunday Snowstorm

Unsure of what to expect with the passing of this latest system that has been deemed historic on a number of levels, wispy leading edge cirrus as precursor to the arrival caught my attention Saturday evening.




Thinking that high altitude cirrus might kick off a lunar halo per the above, I went on a 'barn tour' late Saturday night. Though no atmospheric optics would manifest, moonlight filtering through the cloud layer coupled with areas of activity made for a few interesting visuals or so I thought at least.








Not satisfied with the previous barn, I dropped down to a familiar site in Shelby county where I was treated to the welcome spring sound of cricket frogs along with the well timed passage of a small arcus cloud lifting from the south.








c/o RadarScope


Early Sunday morning the snow began to fill in and by lunchtime was coming down in earnest. Thunder was reported through the afternoon though I never heard it for myself as I was out doing errands before roads got too bad.






Unofficial measuring device with storm total accumulation at my location being 12".


Of all that there was to see on Monday once the storm had cleared, what captured my attention most was that which was deposited by the wind on the south facing top floor balconies.








"Anyone seen Spring?"


More from this event including regional snowfall totals c/o the NWS can be found HERE.

Comet Pan-STARRS III

Taking advantage of another clear evening that seems to be just as rare as any measure of spring warmth right now, I stepped out at dusk on Wednesday despite the brutal cold and wind which gusted at times to 25 MPH. It is not easy to spot both for being dim as well as small and only until background sky becomes dark enough does it become apparent.









Time lapse at the end has some flickering which likely had to do with the wind despite my best attempt at anchoring the camera.


On Thursday, skies were clear again only this time without any wind at all so I headed up to the marina at Clinton Lake to try for a different foreground idea. The shoreline is 1 kilometer away or roughly .60 of a mile. I hope to do more from this location with time.


16 minute stack.


This should help give perspective on why the comet is so hard to find with the naked eye. Follow the dock to the little fuzzball on the horizon. Hindsight being what it is, I wish I would have had the sense to tilt for a vertical shot with the 300mm as the lake was so calm that the comet reflection could be seen!

Comet Pan-STARRS Attempt II

FINALLY got some clear skies and time to try for this elusive little ice ball. Despite the hype it is not exactly a naked eye entity. Knowing the approximate region for where it should be towards the WNW, it was only after making a test shot that I was able to determine the exact location. From there it wasn't difficult to photograph though I never actually saw it for myself. Utilizing the 300mm, I am satisfied with this first comet since unsuccessfully trying to get McNaught on a digicam back in 2007 (lol). I should however, have given myself ample time to find more suitable foreground subject. Weather permitting I may try again but this ridiculous chill that wants to hang on despite being the vernal equinox makes for less than ideal shooting conditions.

Right around the 8 o'clock hour is when it seemed most apparent. Due to the earth's rotation, it does not take long to drop to the horizon. As it does, it loses clarity due to earth curve atmospheric interference. The farm is a little over a mile away and was the best I could do given what was available. Annoying as the light is, it helps for night focusing. I'll spot autofocus on a distant light such as this, flip it to manual once it does, check, then reposition camera if need be. Started out at 800 ISO, F 4.0, 15s


Then went 1600 ISO, 13s




Ideal foreground but now too late, still pleased though.

March Miscellaneous / Plasma Ball

With comet Pan-STARRS still out there as well as an intense aurora display having come to pass, it would figure that Illinois is socked in with clouds as usual. Not wanting to let the day go to waste, here are few recent items of note as I simultaneously clean up my cluttered desktop.

Average sunrise from the 9th captured through the 10-24 has me hopeful for future events.


Tried working static through multiple contacts to flint on the 12th.


Another little NW flow disturbance dug through the region on the 14th producing virga with some light snow actually making it to the surface but not much.




Affixing a Swiss ball bearing to the doorknob using a small droplet of hand sanitizer to keep it in place...


Static vs. Flint vs. Swiss Bearing vs. Self Portrait!


Slowly getting caught up with my SmugMug website, I have created a Designated Gallery with notes for all of this static electricity stuff.

and finally, just for fun last night, I tried getting Ava's finger against a plasma ball in macro. In the first and only good shot, she's holding a CFL that reacts when placed near the device.


Later, I placed a paper clip on the surface and positioned my finger close to see what would happen. A continuous discharge would occur when I came within 1mm of the surface. It was pretty wild looking and very bright!


Wanting to step it up, I switched out for a screw. I was also beginning to catch the occasional whiff of burnt hair though I didn't really feel anything.


and that would explain the burnt smell! :)

Comet Pan-STARRS Attempt I

With the first clear evening in Macon County Illinois since this entity has become visible in our part of the Northern Hemisphere, I stepped out at dusk to try catch a comet. It would be easier said than done though for unbeknownst to me at the time, it is not exactly visible to the naked eye. Straining to pick it out, I never saw it till later review at which point I also realized that my camera settings were too fast. I did however per my last shot while simply messing with the new lens discover that in fact I did get the comet! I would also find a rouge meteor that I never saw either. It will be around for several more nights so hopefully the weather will cooperate for getting it right.

Just the moon.


My biggest mistake was a lack of patience and not waiting till skies were much darker wherefore it would become more apparent as it drops towards the horizon.


I'll still take a meteor in frame! The comet is the small white dot about 2/3rd's down between the moon and the lights on the lower right horizon.


More on this event including better pictures can be found at SpaceWeather.com.

Scush Bomb

A series of small disturbances dropping in from the NW along a lobe spiraling away from the parent system up towards the Great Lakes region dotted the area with widespread rain/snow showers Tuesday afternoon. Among the strongest of these disturbances, one cruised through our area bearing quasi-thunderstorm characteristic including some extremely ominous features on the SW flank. With no better description than as "scud bomb", upon passage the heavy precipitation was a mix of rain and snow that splatted against the window like "slush bombs" hence the post title Scush Bomb. The starting image is my first full 180 degree panorama stretching from west to east. Upon completion of the necessary shots and seeing what was upstream, it's easy to see why I repositioned for a better look.









Brief time lapse clip.

Screen shot shortly after the above and heading back to town. It did not seem like much on radar yet was enough to leave a messy dusting. (c/o RadarScope)


Dropping further S, a separate smaller end cell departing.




As said on a Facebook post, I like these vigorous little late winter northwest flow diurnally enhanced events because you never know what you'll get.