Dakota Reflections
Dakota Night Skies
Comet Neowise
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Comet neowise.
C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) or Comet NEOWISE is a comet discovered on March 27, 2020, by astronomers during the NEOWISE mission of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) space telescope. It has the systematic designation C/2020 F3, indicating a non-periodic comet which was the third discovered in the second half of March 2020.
For observers in the northern hemisphere, in the morning, the comet appears very low above the north-eastern horizon, below Capella. In the evening, the comet can be seen low in the north-western sky. The comet can be seen in the morning and evening because it is circumpolar north of the 45th parallel north. On July 17, Comet NEOWISE entered the constellation of Ursa Major, below the asterism of the Big Dipper (The Plough).
Its closest approach to Earth will occur on July 23, 2020, 01:14 UT, at a distance of 0.69 AU (103 million km; 64 million mi) while located in the constellation of Ursa Major.
By early July, Comet NEOWISE had brightened to magnitude 1, far exceeding the brightness attained by previous comets, C/2020 F8 (SWAN), and C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS). By July, it also had developed a second tail. The first tail is blue and made of gas and ions. There is also a red separation in the tail caused by high amounts of sodium. The second twin tail is a golden color and is made of dust, like the tail of Comet Hale–Bopp.
On July 13, 2020, a sodium tail was confirmed by the Planetary Science Institute's Input/Output facility. Sodium tails have only been observed in very bright comets like Hale–Bopp and sungrazer C/2012 S1 (ISON). By July 5, NASA's Parker Solar Probe had captured an image of the comet, from which astronomers also estimated the diameter of the comet nucleus at approximately 5 km (3 mi).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C/2020_F3_(NEOWISE)
Comet Neowise
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Big Dipper is seen in upper left central of photograph
Comet Neowise
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- July 18, 2020
One of the most fascinating details about Comet NEOWISE is that it won't return to our skies for another 6,800 years. But that's not the only thing that makes this icy space rock special. Comets, often nicknamed "cosmic snowballs," are icy, rocky objects made up of ice, rock and dust. These objects orbit the sun, and as they slip closer to the sun most comets heat up and start streaming two tails, one made of dust and gas and an "ion tail" made of electrically-charged gas molecules, or ions.
As a comet nears the sun, it warms up and material pulls away from the surface into a tail. Often, dust is pulled away along with gases from sublimating (going directly from solid to a gas) ice. This dust tail is the sweeping trail seen in most comet images. Comets also have an ion tail made up of ionized gas blown back by the solar wind.
The comet is traveling at about 40 miles per second (that's about 144,000 mph, or 231,000 km/h).
https://www.space.com/comet-neowise-strange-facts.html
Comet Neowise
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Comet Neowise
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Why does Comet Neowise have Two Tails?
First documented by Tycho Brahe (1546- 1601) in the late 1500s, comets have two tails, both always pointing directly away from the sun. The main tail on Neowise's right appears grey/white in color. The second tail on the left is faint, blue and in a straight line. The main tail is caused by the sun's radiation expelling dust from the comet. The smaller tail is caused by the sun's ultraviolet light ionizing carbon monoxide and creating an ion tail. Comet Neowise is 3 miles in diameter, traveling at 144,000 mph, and will return in 6,800 years!
Comet Neowise
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Comet Neowise
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Comet Neowise
Petrified Forest, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- July 24, 2020
Constellation Cassiopeia
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Constellation Cassiopeia
Petrified Forest, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 24, 2020
Milky Way
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Milky Way
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Milky Way
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Milky Way
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 18, 2020
Milky Way
Petrified Forest, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
July 24, 2020
Observation Blind
Painted Woods Wildlife Management Area, McLean County
August 15, 2020
This photograph was taken on Saturday night, photo of the day for August 15, 2020. In the top center, the bright light is the planet Jupiter. To its left is the planet Saturn. The glow in the left lower area is from the lights of Bismarck. The asterism "The Teapot" is to the lower right of Jupiter and is composed of the brightest stars of the constellation Sagittarius. To the right of "The Teapot" is the Milky Way.
Southern Sky
Painted Woods Wildlife Management Area, McLean County
Photo of the Day- August 15, 2020
Saturn and Jupiter Conjuction!
Saturn and Jupiter and Jupiter's Moons
Callisto, Io, Europa and Ganymede
Burleigh County, North Dakota
was cloudy after December 19 and I was unable to photograph on December 21
Photo of the Day- December 19, 2020
Moonset at Sunrise
Burleigh County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- 2/26/2021
Sometimes, when the moon is setting, it will pick up some reddish light (longer wavelength gets through our atmosphere better) from the sunrise.
Mars and the Seven Sisters
Burleigh County
March 3, 2021
On March 3, 2021, the red planet Mars and the famous Pleiades star cluster – also known as the Seven Sisters – staged their closest conjunction on the sky’s dome until 2038. Mars swung 2.6 degrees south of the Pleiades, which appeared on our sky’s dome as a tiny, misty dipper of stars. They were a lovely sight in the evening sky. It was the closest Mars-Pleiades conjunction since January 20, 1991, when Mars passed 1.7 degrees south of the Pleiades. Looking ahead, Mars and the Pleiades won’t be as close again as they are this year until February 4, 2038. Mars will swing 2.0 degrees south of the Pleiades that year.
https://earthsky.org/tonight/closest-mars-pleiades-conjunction-until-2038
The Pleiades also known as the Seven Sisters and Messier 45, is an open star cluster containing middle-aged, hot B-type stars in the north-west of the constellation Taurus. It is among the star clusters nearest to Earth, it is the nearest Messier object to Earth, and is the cluster most obvious to the naked eye in the night sky. The cluster is dominated by hot blue and luminous stars that have formed within the last 100 million years. Reflection nebulae around the brightest stars were once thought to be left over material from their formation, but are now considered likely to be an unrelated dust cloud in the interstellar medium through which the stars are currently passing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades
The Pleiades were the seven daughters of the titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione born on Mount Cyllene. After Atlas was forced to carry the heavens on his shoulders, Orion began to pursue all of the Pleiades, and Zeus transformed them first into doves, and then into stars to comfort their father. The constellation of Orion is said to still pursue them across the night sky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades_(Greek_mythology)
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
3/30/2022
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
3/30/2022
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
3/30/2022
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
3/30/2022
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- 3/30/2022
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
3/30/2022
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
3/30/2022
Refuge Headquarters
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
3/30/2022
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
3/30/2022
Northern Lights
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota
3/30/2022
Oxygen gives off the fluorescent green and yellow color of the aurora (most common) when hit by electrons in the solar system. Nitrogen causes blue or red colours and sometimes pink, while neon turns them orange.
Early Morning Northern Lights!
Burleigh County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day April 1, 2022
Eclipse!
Lunar Eclipse
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- May 15, 2022
Blood Moon!
Lunar Eclipse
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 15, 2022
When the sun’s rays reach the Earth, much of the blue and green light is scattered, while the orange and red colors remain visible, which is why the moon turns a reddish hue and is often referred to as the “blood moon" during a total lunar eclipse.
Badlands, Big Dipper and Aurora Borealis!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- September 3, 2022
2023 Photos
Midnight Special!
Coronal mass ejection (CME) produced severe G4 class geomagnetic storm!
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
April 23, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
April 23, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
April 23, 2023
A Pleiades Reflection!
The Seven Sister at Clear Lake!
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- September 18, 2023
Northern Lights and Big Dipper
Burleigh County, North Dakota
September 18, 2023
Northern Lights with 2/3 Moonlight
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
September 24, 2023
The Story behind the Photo!
What are the Odds?
Once in a Lifetime Photo!
Meteor (Shooting Star) Northern Lights Big Dipper and Badlands Butte
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- September 26, 2023
Photo of the Month September 2023
On September 20, 2023, I drove from Bismarck to Watford City (190 miles) to visit the McKenzie County Health System. On the way, I took a detour to the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora to visit with the Cottonwood Campground host. I had served for over 2 months in 2022 as a host at that campground. I was informed that the campground host had left 2 weeks early and that the park staff would like me to serve as an emergency fill in campground host. I agreed to do so. I then went to Watford City and returned to Bismarck on the evening on September 21. I left Bismarck in the morning of September 22 and drove back to Theodore Roosevelt National Park with my travel trailer
The northern lights were predicted to be good on the evenings of September 24 and 25. Unfortunately, there was a 3/4 moon in the evening which washed out the northern lights on September 24. When I went to sleep in the trailer on September 25, the moon was very bright but I resolved to get up during the night to see if the moon had set.
I awoke at 3:30 AM on September 26 and stuck my head out of the trailer and saw that the night sky was very dark as the moon had set. I dressed and stepped out of the trailer and saw northern lights low to the horizon. I got in my car and drove north to the first prairie dog town and set up my camera and tripod.
The first prairie dog town overlooked the Little Missori River. The northern lights were not very extensive but had good color. I decided to drive up to the next prairie dog town which was very large and was in a broad section of a valley, allowing a good view of the sky.
The northern lights at the second prairie dog town were intensifying. I thought that I could go further north to Wind Canyon and perhaps photograph the northern lights to the northwest and get reflections from the Little Missouri River. The Big Dipper was to the northeast.
When I arrived at Wind Canyon, the northern lights were directly to the north so hiking to the overlook would not give good photos and would be perhaps dangerous. I decided to set up in the parking lot and photo the northern lights directly to the north as the colors were improving with oranges and purples!
The constellation Orion was behind me to the south. I quickly turned the camera around and took a photo.
When I turned the camera around to photograph the northern lights, I decided to point toward the Big Dipper to the slight northeast to include three items in the composition- northern lights, Big Dipper and the Badlands butte. This photo was a 15 second exposure at ISA 400 and f 1.4 with a 24 mm lens. After the 15 second exposure, the camera had a 20 to 30 second down time while the image was processed before showing up in the screen.
I then decided to change the camera settings to decrease the exposure time by increasing the ISO. The settings were a 10 second exposure at ISA 800 and f 1.4 with the 24 mm lens. Two seconds after pushing the shutter button, an unbelievable event happened. A meteor (shooting star) exploded into the sky and almost immediately disappeared. Fortunately, it occurred when the shutter open and in view of my recently repositioned camera.
I have only seen a couple of meteors in my life. When I have tried to photograph shooting stars during meteor showers, I have never been successful.
What are the odds? I was only in the park by happenstance.
I took several more photos as the colors were excellent then moved further north.
After several more photos in the north end of the park, the colors started to fade. I then returned to my trailer and began my morning hosting responsibilities
An unforgettable experience!!
Green Arc above Water!
Reflection from Lake Sakakawea
Northern Lights
Tobacco Garden Creek Recreation Area, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- November 12, 2023
Red Oval!
Intense Northern Lights and Oxygen Molecules at High Altitudes
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- December 1, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 1, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 1, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 1, 2023
Vestiges in Time!
Northern Lights, Big Dipper and an Abandoned School House
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- December 13, 2023
Photo of the Month- December 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 13, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 13, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 13, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 13, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 13, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 13, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 13, 2023
Northern Lights
Burleigh County, North Dakota
December 13, 2023
2024 Photos
Past and Present!
Strongest Geomagnetic Storm (G5 KP9) since 2003!
Farland Church
McKenzie County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- May 10, 2024
Farland Church and Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
May 10, 2024
Farland Church and Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
May 10, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 10, 2024
Starting to see Orange!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 10, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 10, 2024
Corona
A corona, or crown, is a crown-like shape that can sometimes be seen when observing the northern lights. It occurs when energetic electrons cause atoms to glow along the Earth's magnetic field lines, which are almost directly overhead. The viewer is looking up along the field lines, and the rays appear to originate from one single point and radiate outwards.
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 10, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 10, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 10, 2024
Little Missouri River!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Reflections of Green and Purple!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Reflections of Orange!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Pillars in the Northern Lights are also known as beams or rays.
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights in strong geomagnetic storms have more colors (8) than rainbows (7-red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue and violet).
Green: The most common color, caused by oxygen at lower altitudes; Red: Caused by oxygen at higher altitudes, and is associated with intense solar activity; Blue: Caused by nitrogen particles, and is the rarest color; Pink: Caused by nitrogen molecules in the upper bands of the aurora, usually at least 150 miles above the ground; Purple: Caused by a mix of nitrogen and oxygen; Yellow: Caused by a mix of nitrogen and oxygen; Orange: Can sometimes be seen, but is very rare and White: Can sometimes be seen
Strongest Geomagnetic Storm (G5 KP9) since 1989 (35 years)!
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- May 11, 2024
Photo of the Month May 2024
"May’s northern lights were the space spectacle of a lifetime, scientists say.
Space scientists are saying the solar storm was the most impressive in decades and, by some measures, even centuries."
Washington Post May 25, 2024
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/05/25/northern-lights-auroras-best-500-years/
"During the first full week of May, a barrage of large solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) launched clouds of charged particles and magnetic fields toward Earth, creating the strongest solar storm to reach Earth in two decades — and possibly one of the strongest displays of auroras on record in the past 500 years."
NASA May 16, 2024
https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/how-nasa-tracked-the-most-intense-solar-storm-in-decades/
Earth experienced the biggest mass migration of satellites in history. On May 10, 2024, approximately 5000 spacecraft had to maneuver to maintain altitude, resisting a geomagnetic storm that was trying to pull them down. "Most were SpaceX Starlink satellites," says William Parker of MIT, the paper's lead author. "Each satellite has a GNSS receiver as well as autonomous station-keeping and collision-avoidance capabilities. When they sensed the effects of the storm, thousands of the satellites made the decision to maneuver." The need to migrate upward was caused by a sudden increase in satellite drag. Earth's atmosphere absorbed a huge amount of energy from the solar storm, causing it to puff up like a marshmallow held over a campfire. Tendrils of heated air reached into space and started dragging the satellites down. "The superstorm's peak power was 2.63 TeraWatts," says Martin Mlynczak, who retired from NASA's Langley Research Center a month after the storm. Before he left, he used infrared data from NASA's TIMED spacecraft to estimate the amount of thermal energy dumped into the upper atmosphere. "It deposited enough energy to run my house for 10 million years (I average about 510 kWh per month)," he says. "The May 2024 geomagnetic storm was the first major storm to occur during a new paradigm in low Earth orbit satellite operations dominated by commercial small satellites," the authors wrote in their paper.
https://spaceweather.com/
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Magnificent Column of Colors!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
May 11, 2024
Always a Treat!
Worth Losing Hours of Sleep!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 11, 2024
Not a Sunset!
Red Reflection after Midnight!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- August 12, 2024
Photo of the Month- August 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
August 12, 2024
Pleiades in the Pillar!
The Seven Sisters showed the Way!
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 6, 2024
Rainbow at Night!
Six Colors Visible on Camera!
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- October 7, 2024
Rainbow at Night!
Green, Violet, White, Pink, Orange and Yellow Visible on Camera!
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- October 7, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 7, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 7, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 7, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 7, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 7, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 7, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 7, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 7, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 7, 2024
Hint of Upcoming Dream Magic!
Clouds, Drizzling Rain and Half Moon interference!
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- October 10, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 10, 2024
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 10, 2024
The Dream
In the autumn of 2023, I was asked by McKenzie County Health System in Watford City, North Dakota to come out of my second retirement and work as pediatrician. They has started delivering babies earlier that year and both of their pediatricians were leaving. They asked me to work every other week in for over 1 year which involved 7 straight days of 24 hour call and working in the clinic Monday through Friday. During those 7 days, I had to be able to respond to emergencies within 30 minutes which meant that I was confined to the immediate area surrounding Watford City. Fortunately, the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park was only 12 miles from Watford City.
During the historic May 10, 2024 Coronal Mass Ejection, G5 KP 9, I photographed the northern lights at the North Unit from the road and next to the Little Missouri River from the Juniper Campground. I looked for additional locations with better visibility of the river. I found a couple of spots on the Little Mo trail. The river ran east/west in that location which meant that only strong aurora would give reflections. During the August 11-12 G4 KP northern lights, I photographed the Little Missouri River with orange red reflection.
I dreamed of returning to that spot with northern lights with multiple colors. The northern lights of October 6 were not strong enough. On Monday, October 7, I could not leave Watford City so I photographed the aurora just outside the city.
On October 10, I could not leave the city and the clouds, rain sprinkles and half-moon allowed on only a brief view of the strong northern lights. The moon was setting around 11:30 PM NS RHW clouds were predicted to clear after midnight. After leaving the hospital around 10 PM, I went to the house where I was staying and went to bed at 11 PM. I awoke just before 1:30 AM and saw that the northern lights had some potential. After taking just a couple of photos, I called the nursery and emergency room and was cleared to go to the North Unit. The northern lights were spectacular and I was able to photograph multiple colors above the Little Missouri River.
After spending 2 hours in the park from 2 AM to 4 AM, I returned to Watford City and was in bed by 5 AM. I awoke 2 hours later and went to work that Friday.
The dream came true.
Northern Lights
McKenzie County, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
A Dream Come True!
Green Spike in Reflective Water!
Northern Lights and Little Missouri River
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
Northern Lights
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
October 11, 2024
A Long Time Coming!
Last Time Visible from Earth 80,000 years ago!
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan- ATLAS)
McKenzie County, North Dakota
Photo of the Day- October 13, 2024