Waking Up With Orion

[Juno16]

Good Morning All!

The really only qualifies as an observation in the general sense. More of an “Oh WOW” moment.

Walking out in the yard with a cup of coffee this morning and was surprised to see some cloud clearing. It’s been two or three weeks since I have seen a star!

While peering around, I saw an old friend low to the East. The Orion constellation. A real rush of a feeling!

In the dawn light, I grabbed the binos and had a look around. There was orange Betelgeuse to the North, blue Rigel to the South, Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka in the belt. I could just make out the sword and M42.

What an astronomical treasure!

Not only is the Orion constellation one of the most beautiful and recognized constellations in the heavens, it also contains some of the finest astrophotography targets. The Orion nebula, the Running Man nebula, the Horsehead nebula, and the Flame nebula to name the most popular.

Gets me excited to think that I will actually get a chance to image these treasures soon!

I grabbed the dogs and headed out the door for a walk at 5:20 hoping to catch another glimpse. No going there, clouded over again.
Still, I am fortunate to have a school access road close by. It’s wooded and is a great break from my suburban neighborhood. I could hear three owls communicating from different distant directions. Nice. At 75 degrees it felt good outside. A nice break from the low 80 degree dawn temps that we normally have in August on the Mississippi coast.

Just before I got back to the house, I got a window in the clouds to spot Orion again. The view lasted about 30 seconds, sweet!

A few things beat it, but not many. Started my day off well!

I appreciate you reading my ramblings. I know that many of you can really appreciate it though!

Thanks,
Jim

[KingClinton]

Here in the south seeing Orion in the early mornings is a reminder that winter is on the way out and spring/summer is on the way in!

Looking forward to seeing the images you come up with.

[Juno16]

Here in the south seeing Orion in the early mornings is a reminder that winter is on the way out and spring/summer is on the way in!

Looking forward to seeing the images you come up with.

A quick peek at cleardarksky says it won’t be anytime soon!

Spring/summer is on the way for you Clinton, and Autumn/ Winter is on the way for me!

Still have a good bit of hot ahead before we cool here though. Heck, the peak of hurricane season is still a month away!

Thanks,
Jim

[bobharmony]

Great report, Jim. Thus far I have only been able to pick up Rigel in the pre-dawn sky here in CT, along with Capella shining brightly in the Northeast sky. Looking forward to catching up with the rest of Orion soon, and Sirius as well, true harbingers of the cooler weather to come. Hoping the clouds cooperate soon!

Bob

[Don Quixote]

I am enjoying your fine report, Jim.
I relate well to your sentiment regarding the delight in your views, fleeting though they may be.
I hope you have a great day !

[Juno16]

Thanks Bob and Mark!

Great way to start the day for sure!

I turn 64 this month and decided today I would start looking into Medicare options. Wow! This will be a daunting task!
Up there with Astrophotography, but nowhere near as much fun!

Have a fine day!

Jim

[Don Quixote]

Thanks Bob and Mark!

Great way to start the day for sure!

I turn 64 this month and decided today I would start looking into Medicare options. Wow! This will be a daunting task!
Up there with Astrophotography, but nowhere near as much fun!

Have a fine day!

Jim

Hi Jim.
Yes, Medicare. It is relatively simple but the book they send you is more than anyone in the universe will ever read. :-)

I turned 65 in June and signed up for social security and medicare in May. I received my 1st social security check at the end of July "bu haaa" ! Having been self employed all my life it was my FIRST "paycheck".

I am sure you will do your research. I found it helpful to talk to friends and family who are already in. Plus I have a long term relationship with an insurance broker who has covered my business operations for 30 years and I sat down with him to talk about the secondary insurance options. This was a very helpful meeting me.

It is less interesting than AP...for sure. :-)

[bobharmony]

Yikes - I am at the same place, Medicare-wise. Not looking forward to it!

Bob

[Unitron48]

I know that feeling...thanks for sharing!!

Dave

[Kanadalainen]

Nice Jim, I haven't seen the big O yet this year.

Here is one of my favourite old "Orion" themed songs.

[Bigzmey]

Seeing Orion in the morning definitely stirs emotions. For me is more like No, No I am not ready for winter yet!

[KingNothing13]

Geez - I am barely conscious when I get out of bed between 6am and 6:30am during the week, I would not be able to function that early!

Orion will, soon enough, be up in the night sky - and I'll be cursing it for bringing yet another winter.

[Thefatkitty]

Nice deal Jim! I'm with you there; getting a look in the pre-dawn hours... Nice you got to see Orion through some clear sky as well. And it is a good start to a day!

Say Hi to Jack and give him a scratch for me...

Hope the rest of your day has been just as good,

[Juno16]

Nice Jim, I haven't seen the big O yet this year.

Here is one of my favourite old "Orion" themed songs.

Ian, that is a fantastic video! I hope lots of members watch it. Really amazing, especially if you are an Orion fan!

Seeing Orion in the morning definitely stirs emotions. For me is more like No, No I am not ready for winter yet!

I don’t know Bigz, for me, I am over this heat! Now I realize why lots of people in the South don’t do much imaging (or anything else) in the warmer months (most of the year, here). After the very brief moment of semi-clarity this morning, the sky clouded over and it rained all day!

Geez - I am barely conscious when I get out of bed between 6am and 6:30am during the week, I would not be able to function that early!

Orion will, soon enough, be up in the night sky - and I'll be cursing it for bringing yet another winter.

Unfortunately, I can’t sleep in. Maybe from years of getting to work by 6 a.m. I wake up starting about 4 and after trying unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, I just get up. I really do enjoy the peace and solitude of the early morning though.

Nice deal Jim! I'm with you there; getting a look in the pre-dawn hours... Nice you got to see Orion through some clear sky as well. And it is a good start to a day!

Say Hi to Jack and give him a scratch for me...

Hope the rest of your day has been just as good,

Great way to start the day Mark!

Jack gets scratched all day long,but I gave him another at your request!

Thanks all,
Jim

[OBXgirl]

I don't know if it's from getting older, getting crankier or what, but I'm over summer in the south. I love winter months and it doesn't hurt that that is the best observing time for my part of the world.
I say bring it on !!!

[Juno16]

One last parting “shot” for this thread.

Not a good image, but just a snapshot with my iphone8 this morning while walking the dogs.

I would like to say that there were high sheet clouds at the time, but the last time I said that, Bryan had too much fun with it.

Thanks,
Jim

[John Baars]

What a way to start the day! Great!
The feeling of Winterwonderland in August!

[helicon]

Excellent Jim. Orion always buoys one's spirits when you get to see it. And staying up really late (or getting up early) means you get to enjoy it without the cold temperatures.

[Juno16]

Excellent Jim. Orion always buoys one's spirits when you get to see it. And staying up really late (or getting up early) means you get to enjoy it without the cold temperatures.

You got it Michael!

Orion is just one of those “Oh Wow” naked eye sights for me. Very good to see it come around again.

Looks like it will be high enough in the sky this year to hopefully catch some good images!

Thanks,
Jim