Have arrived safe and sound, after a bearable flight, lovely coming into LA with the dawn colours and a crescent Moon on the horizon.
In Fairbanks for 10 days, 3 already gone. First two had fairly clear skies, but didn't see any aurora. One night I headed out for a look, and there was Vega, recognized Cygnus and Andromeda' and the Little Dipper. Took a couple of pics, but only with little wobbly tripod, as my good one had the plate snapped off on route! Have since bought another.
Alas, cloud and fog, maybe snow, have set in for 3 days, so not doing much. Trying to work the settings for time lapse on the remote control, and believe I have done this just now, with the help of jjjj on FB! Many thanks jjj, camera is clicking away merrily.
Fairbanks is pretty with autumn colours, hotel is nice, WiFi good, buses terrible do hard to get out. Days are chilly with min of -1 to max of about 5, not too bad at all.
Chances of seeing aurora have decreased with this weather, but the weekend is a chance. Heading out Friday night w with a local guy here - I subscribe to his live aurora web can. Can't wait for that. Still a few lights around here at hotel, and don't want to go too far.
Phew, was worried I wouldnt see the aurora, but 2 nights ago, my dream was fulfilled.
Headed out about midnight, when a greenish tinge was being seen on the N horizon, and after I found a spot and set up, the action began!!
Started with green bands seeping across a large section of the sky, then started going up in vertical shafts, stunning!! Took heaps of pics, and will attempt a little movie at some stage.
Very happy girl now, though I may see some more, fingers crossed!!
HAd trouble with my Tokina lens, so ended up buyimng another Canon 17 - 70 mm, though havent had the chance to use it yet. The guy at the camera shop here said to bring the Tokina ijn for him to have alook at. The pics I took with it had streaks, at the bottom of the image, and alarge rim at the side.
Anyway, all good, cathc the Aurora Train to Anchorage onf Sunday.
Many thanks Glen, LArry, Eric, Larry and Kev, I still have to pinch myself sometimes that it isnt a dream, I am here, and having a ball!!
Last nigth was the best so far - headed out of town on a tour, though just em, went up a nearby mountain, and SNOW everywhere!! Waited for teh aurora to start which was about 11.30pm, though had een slightly green since we got up there.
Slowly got stronger and seemed to be around the Jupiter in Gemini area, very cold up there, but ggreat.
BAck to Hotle about 0130, and the aurora was prolific over the Hotel!!! Unbelievable, the green lights were dancing all over the sky in all directions. Stayed out for an hr, then headed to bed, but the aurora continued on ALL night, what a treat.
Heading off in hte morning on the 'Aurora Train' to Anchorage, supposed to be one of the prettiest train journeys in the world.
Alaska is amazing, am tempted to return, quite rugged. When you say you are from Australia, people gulp, in Canada, they dont blink an eye, Aussies everywhere!!
HAve had 7 nights in Vancouver - beautiful city, though engulfed by fog for 5 days, stunning now.
Am about to head to Jasper via the redeye Greyhound, arrive Jasper 0530 hrs, BUT, in time for their 'Dark Sky Festival' .... very excited indeed, with many talks over the days and eve, hopefully I can get involved.
David Levy will be there!! Iwill definitely be at that talk, with my love of comets
Say hello to Santa for us.
