2001 Leonids
November 18, 2001
4:30 - 6:00 EST
Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
A Trio from Leo
Three Leonids fall through the Coma Berenices star cluster.
24mm Nikkor F2.0 @ F2.8 on Kodak PPJ400
This is a detail of a widefield frame greatly enlarged
to make stylistic use of harsh film grain; color strongly enhanced.
Three Leonids Define the Radiant
2, 5, and 7 o'clock -- the one at 5 is faint
Same, with constellation outline added
A Bright Leonid below Orion
What's with the varigated color of these trails? Is it real or is it
an artifact of fast-moving bright point sources on the CCD? Experiments
are in order!
Leonid behind Grandfather Mountain, beginning of dawn
A blue-sky Leonid outduels oncoming headlights
The word about this event certainly got out, and so did the advice to get away
from city lights. In fact, so many people fled city lights for the Blue Ridge Parkway
that observing from convenient overlooks in western NC was like observing from a
WalMart parking lot. By the time I made this picture, most observers had left
for home -- nevermind that meteor rates were still quite high even in the
growing twilight. Despite the need to guard eyes and camera from frequent
glare, it was good to see such interest, and better to see it rewarded
with a great shower.
All images (c)2001, David Cortner
High-res images available, contact: davidcortner@pobox.com
Nikon D1, 24mm F2.0 Nikkor
All exposures 20 seconds @ F2.8, ISO 200