So the post from July 5th is confirmed. Someone was shooting off fireworks and started a brush fire in our neighboring greenbelt. Those living nearby said the flames were huge and the speed of the fire was rapid. Thanks to our volunteer fire department for their quick work in putting it out. I walked by later to record the damage. There was also new blooms coming up elsewhere so Nature is always at work despite stupid idiots with matches.
A few more shots from the next morning’s viewing.
C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) comet was only just discovered in March 2020 by the NEOWISE space telescope. You have until the end of July to see it… but its traveling away from Earth so the sooner the better (I’m including a chart).
You can find it rising in the NNE morning sky around 4:30 a.m. near the constellation of Auriga and its brightest star Capella (check here for more info). It can be hard to see but with a clear sky it’s observable.
It won’t be back for another 6800 years so get out and take a look! And remember that light pollution makes these celestial events harder to see.
A chorus Eldorado Volunteer firetrucks were audible this evening and when I stepped out, I saw smoke. Judging by the firetrucks out patrolling with their lights flashing… I’m guessing it was a grass fire started by fireworks. The sunset I saw was looking pretty nice so I sat out and got some nice photos while the firetrucks patrolled.
A sunset with rain clouds and then a lunar penumbral eclipse. I kept looking but couldn’t see anything. After checking the interwebs, I find that it is caused by the Earth’s shadow and not directly by the Earth, (hence the penumbral designation) and it is almost imperceptible. Gotta wait until next year for a full eclipse.
Nice storm going through bringing rainbows and golden cumulus clouds.
Wildlife visitors to our little home biome!
