Stargazing: Gemini (publ. 2024-10-02)

Date: 2024-10-02

Time: 4:20am AKST

Location: Fairbanks, AK (my yard)

Conditions: Clear but with aurora glow

Was able to make it out for about 20 minutes this morning. There was a thick haze covering most of the sky, which I first thought might be clouds. But I soon realized it was auroral glow, as some of it began to come together into bright green filaments. It is a blessing, of course, to be able to see so much aurora in Alaska, but it can make it more difficult to see the stars.

I completed this sketch of Gemini and some nearby stars. Comparing with Stellarium, I think that my lower limit was somewhere around 4.3 magnitude.

sketch targeting Gemini

I am still using the hand method to estimate angles. I see that my estimates with three fingers (5 degrees) are usually pretty close. Estimates with my pinky (1 degree) tend to be too low. Likewise, estimates using my fist — supposedly 10 degrees — tend to be low by a lot. Maybe I'll try leaving my thumb inside the fist next time.

I rushed back inside after only about twenty minutes of observing, to get ready for work, and to try to have some morning prayer time. One of the big challenges I have with amateur astronomy is that stargazing, sleep, prayer, and Bible study basically all fall in the same brief time bracket — in between work and taking care of the family — so it is a bit of a juggling act. Good stargazing opportunities tend to be rare for me, so I usually prioritize that, but it is a bit of a dilemma when I have several clear nights in a row.

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