Batten Down The Hatches

Big snowstorm on the way.Looks like tonight and tomorrow will be a bit nasty.

4:28 AM AST Sunday 12 February 2017
Blizzard warning in effect for:

• Queens County

Blizzard conditions with gusty winds and persistent visibility near zero in snow and blowing snow are expected or occurring.

A low pressure system will form south of Cape Cod this evening and rapidly intensify overnight as it approaches Nova Scotia. Snow at times heavy will develop in the far west of the province near midnight tonight then spread northeastward reaching northern and eastern regions Monday morning, and Cape Breton near noon on Monday. Very strong east to northeast winds will accompany this storm with gusts between 90 and 110 km/h expected, which will give extensive blowing snow with frequent whiteout conditions. Total snowfall amounts by Monday evening will range from 30 to 60 cm for the western portions of the province, 20 to 30 cm for northern and eastern regions and near 10 cm in Cape Breton. Additional significant amounts are likely Monday night and into Tuesday morning for northern and eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.

Storm on the way / Penumbral eclipse

So...another storm is on the way.The models are showing the possibility of 70cms of snow from this one starting in the wee hours of Monday morning and persisting all day.Not looking forward to that but IT IS winter.

Last night we saw a penumbral eclipse.Unbelievably,it was relatively clear and viewing wasn't bad at all....except it was a bit chilly outside.That's why they make winter coats,though,and you can't beat a Columbia for winter wear!!

A short post but that's all I have for now.
Cheers,
Al

Still cloudy / Opteka 500mm lens

    Although it has not been very cold and snow amounts are little to none here it remains cloudy most of the time.The clouds have really impacted my asrophotography.....we probably haven't had more than a week's worth of clear nights over the past 3 months.
     More clouds are expected this week with the possibility of a little snow and some rain.

Anyways,I bought an Opteka 500mm lens for my Olympus E-PL1 a few weeks ago.The main reason was for an enhancement to my wildlife photography but,a few nights ago during a brief break in the clouds,I tried a moon shot.The results were adequate considering the conditions.In my opinion,this is a decent lens plus it is quite affordable.

                                                   Opteka 500mm mounted on the E-PL1

                                                     A cardinal shot at about 50 feet distant

                                                               Crescent moon - 1/500 sec at ISO 1250

   That's all for now.Have a great week.

-Al

Iridium 34 flare ..plus...

The weather has been very unforgiving in getting any clear skies...it's been clouds,clouds,clouds and more clouds.On the upside,it has not been cold here as in other parts of the country...however,this is a big country and we are located in the southeast part,on the Atlantic ocean.....the same ocean that will freeze our feet off in the summer but keep us warmer than most of the rest of Canada in the winter.

So...for the next 10 days the models are showing that the temps will be on the plus side of freezing during the daytime along with a few chilly nights.Rain on the way for later this week.

No one is complaining..

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We did have a brief period of clearness early last night.Just long enough to capture this Iridium flare with the A-610 modded with CHDK.That's the first time in weeks that I set it up to do some unattended shots.Needless to say,it wasn't long after this pic that the skies began to cloud over so the gear was packed up until the next time.

All for now.

Have a great week.

-Al

https://twitter.com/AL_in_NS

Another Short Update

Temps have been mild.Yesterday was most likely a record breaking day with the high near +12°C.
Overnight lows were near but above the freezing point.
Although it will be somewhat cooler,the mild the trend will continue for at least the next week.
Really missing the clear night skies and the astrophotography hobby....it's been too long to remember the last time we a completely clear night.
This trend will continue as well:

Later
-Al

Short Update

Been having more clouds than clear skies for the past month so not doing very much sky shooting with the modified A-610.
I did manage to capture one possible meteor the last time I had the camera set up a little over a week ago:

Better days are coming but will most likely be few and far between for the remainder of this year.

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A 'cold snap' is expected here tonight but will only stay for a day and then we warm up:

'4:29 AM AST Thursday 15 December 2016

Special weather statement in effect for:

• Queens County

Very cold air and strong northwesterly winds overnight tonight and Friday morning will cause temperatures to drop to minus 15 to minus 20. Wind chill values Friday morning will be near minus 30 giving significant risk of frostbite.'

Cheers
-Al

Closest Moon In 68 Years on Nov 14

From http://spaceweather.com :