James Cormier's Astronomy

11/20/2020

On the Winter Solstice, December 21st 2020 Jupiter and Saturn will get so close, as seen visually from Earth, that they will appear as one "star" in the sky!

Between now and Dec 21 Saturn & Jupiter approach each other on the sky until a mere tenth of a degree separates them.

Last time this happened Galileo was alive.

The solar system: A Cosmic Ballet, choreographed by the forces of gravity.

Hayden's own Joe Rao tells all:
https://www.space.com/jupiter-saturn-great-conjunction-2020

08/22/2020

A few moons ago on July 4th, I had the pleasure of setting up once again at Schoodic Point. Being an often quiet place, it is the ideal Maine Coast location for the artist.

Moonlight shimmers on the vast ocean, leaving a wake of light that is impressive to witness. The peak of summer brings us the lowest moon which is responsible for this cast of light. Spending these late nights with the camera and this magnificent solitude was something of a dream last winter.

Incidentally, this particular feature of the Schoodic Headland was the subject of the iconic photographer Minor White. White visited many times in the late 60s and early 70s and produced several prints from his work here. Other photographers, such as Ansel Adams, visited in the late 40s. Paul Caponigro, and later his son John Paul Caponigro, would produce work from this location.

I've been fortunate to go deeper than visiting photographers, having explored this wonderful area, both day and night, perhaps over a hundred times.

07/22/2020

Comet NEOWISE C/2020 F3 - 7/22/20 UT

Last night skies were clear and Comet NEOWISE was placed well for observers and photographers alike.

The ion tail has become much more pronounced and extended well into Ursa Major, perhaps by 20 degrees or more. The dust tail was sharply defined and displayed an anvil-like appearance. The coma was visually a distinctive pale green color as confirmed in photographs.

This view was captured from my private observatory in East Sullivan.

07/16/2020

Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) reveals its dust and ion tail in this long exposure photograph. It is very reminiscent of Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997.

The one clear night this week offered Maine residence a glimpse of the glorious! The comet will continue to climb higher in the sky in the coming days.

07/16/2020

Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3) appears suspended over Taunton Bay in North Sullivan Maine. The bright comet drew many observers and photographers to the area of the Hancock/Sullivan bridge in Downeast Maine. It's the brightest comet in recent decades, to dazzle observers!

Copyright 2020 James W Cormier

07/05/2020

When I was a very young boy I could often be found wandering about the house in the middle of the night. I was also fascinated by lights on a dark night in the city where I lived until I was five. Moving to a small town in Maine I was exposed to a greater dark, and a greater light! The night sky! The world of night!

I suppose I had no choice in the matter, for I am still obsessed with the night, and the light! I'm happiest here. Alone in the night. No one to tell me wrong from right. It's plain to me, you see. Come dawn I'll wrestle with the blaze of day, the working hours......

It's all different in the night. The dark needs a witness to acknowledge her. To see her, and to be with her. She's seductive. And the light, my mistress of the night.

JC

04/26/2020

The waxing crescent Moon accompanied by Venus as twilight deepens here in eastern Maine. A beautiful spring night.

03/13/2020

It was great getting out Sunday night. Clouds rolled in while I was taking this long exposure photograph at Schoodic Point, Maine. While the camera and lens were at work, the incoming tide was like quicksilver in the moonlight. Time and Tide. Light and motion.

02/21/2020

Enjoy Bob King's article on the Zodiacal Light which can be seen from a dark sky near you!

Venus, the Zodiacal Light and a Stealthy Visitor https://bit.ly/2ThUvyz

A drive to see the the solar system's interplanetary dust bunny includes a very quiet surprise.

09/12/2019

Moonrise Flanders - East Sullivan Maine

A quiet walk down to the pond tonight, camera in tow. I never tire of this setting. Peace tonight my friends.

JC