A syzygy ((“Syzygy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syzygy. Accessed 24 Oct. 2023.)) is any three celestial bodies of a single gravitational system arranged in a line. If one of those bodies is light emitting like the Sun, if the middle one is the Moon, and is the third one is the Earth, the result is a […]
Read more "A Special Syzygy"The Loge Gallery at the Pioneer Theater Company Featured the works of thirteen artists during the run of Agatha’s Christy’s Murder on the Orient Express September 23 through October 7, 2023. My contributions were these eight photographs printed on aluminum with coordinating metal frames: Sunset over Miami I was on the bow of a […]
Read more "The Loge Gallery at the Pioneer Theater Company"The three brightest objects in the sky are the Sun, the Moon, and Venus Setting Super Moon – 31 August 2023 That morning I had just left my house for a run. But when I saw this Moon, I abandoned the run for a camera. I always am thrilled to see the Moon, especially […]
Read more "Astronomy: Late Summer 2023"Vestiges of the old in the new
Read more "The Sluice Gate"Detroit Lake is one of approximately 14,380 lakes in Minnesota. Boosters in that state can be forgiven for the 10,000 number. After all the ancient Greek word mega literally means ten thousand, but it figuratively meant a lot. Compare that usage to young Americans today. Detroit Lake is wholly contained within the town limits of […]
Read more "Questing for Wonder in Rural Minnesota"Questing for a very old Moon The Moon “disappears” the day before, the day of, and the day after its new phase. Observing the extremely thin crescent less than 36 hours before and less than 36 hours after the exact moment of new requires planning and luck. Because ultrathin crescents have delicate beauty, seeking them […]
Read more "Where is the Moon?"Orion’s Belt and Sword The two most recognizable asterisms are the Big Dipper and Orion’s Belt. Here is one of them, the hunter’s belt. The three stars of the belt are left to right: Alnitak (1260 lightyears), Alnilam (2000 lightyears), and Mintaka (1200 lightyears). Orion’s sword hangs down to the left. The middle “star” of […]
Read more "Astronomy in April 2023"Carol’s Spring Garden As I gazed at Carol’s flowerbed on Easter Sunday morning, I was struck by the brightness and clarity unusual for early April. But I didn’t know the reason until I lay down on my back and turned my head to the side. Then I saw the the shadows and silhouettes. April […]
Read more "April Flowers 2023"Venus and Jupiter make a spectacular conjunction
Read more "Questing for Wonder with Planetary Conjunctions"Shadow on Snow-covered Lawn Dormant Kentucky Bluegrass Maple Tree Shadow Back Story A camera functions as a dowsing rod for finding unexpected beauty. Best regards, Michael DeCaria Celebrating Nature with Photography
Read more "7 February 2023"