Milky Way and Astrophotography

Comet NEOWISE over Forest Grove School

Comet NEOWISE passes over Forest Grove Schoolhouse #5 in Bettendorf, IA on July 23rd, 2020.

Aurora Borealis in Grand Marais, MN

The Aurora Borealis (northern lights) as seen near Grand Marais, MN. We had quite the cloudy night, but we lucked out with a few breaks in the clouds that gave us a real show. This storm was a KP6 and very fast moving. The storm peaked right around 3AM, when this shot was taken.

Northern Lights in Grand Marais

Another shot of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) as seen near Grand Marais, MN September 1st, 2019 at 3AM. We had quite the cloudy night, but we lucked out with a few breaks in the clouds that gave us a real show. This storm was a KP6 and very fast moving. The storm peaked right around 3AM, when this shot was taken.

A Visit From STEVE

STEVE, or Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement, showed up just before the Northern Lights started to peak on our visit to northern Minnesota. Just as the clouds were breaking, STEVE showed up. At one point, STEVE streaked all the way across the sky, a full 180*, cross-sectioning the Milky Way.

Milky Way Over Spirit of the Wilderness

The Milky Way as seen over the Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Grand Marais, MN on September 1st, 2019.

Milky Way in Lee County, IA

Milky Way Over Smithtown

The Milky Way over Smithtown as seen from Sharon Methodist Episcopal Church. This church is locally known as Smithtown Church and was erected in 1874.

Bridge to Another World

The Milky Way over the Washington Mill bridge east of Bernard, Iowa. Built in 1878, this bowstring truss bridge is one of the only such bridges left in Iowa, as most have been replaced. This bridge is also one of the oldest originally placed roadway bridges in Iowa.