Hale-Bopp Comet 1996-1997

In the summer of 1996 the astronomy press was buzzing with news of a new comet, Hale-Bopp, racing toward a rendez-vous with the Earth. I first spotted it with my telescope at the cabin in August, 1996, and took this picture. (Click on the pictures to enlarge.)



During that fall and early winter, the comet was not visible, but it was calculated to become visible again in the mornings of early February, 1997. So, I would get up at 4:00 each morning and go up on the then-undeveloped portion of South Mountain in Draper. (If you know me, you know that for me to get out of bed THAT EARLY was a real sacrifice for "science.") If you're wondering why the stars in the Feb. 7 picture (above) are so wavy and some have spikes of light at each end, it's because I was using a small car-top tripod that I had to hold onto because of the fierce wind. The wind and my body shivering caused the wavy effect, and the pushing and releasing of the shutter release button caused the spikes. I didn't use my cable release because both hands were busy holding the camera from blowing away, so I had to do the release by hand. That's probably more than you ever wanted to know about it, right?

Anyway, these next pictures show it getting ever bigger, and moving through Sagitta (the little arrow), and into the bottom of Cygnus (the swan). (Feb. 9, 12, 19, below.)

Notice how the comet (above) has moved away from Sagitta (the little arrow). In the next picture (Feb. 24) it has moved further to the left and below Cygnus (the swan). Sagitta is no longer even in the frame.

In the last photo (a month later - March 30, 1997)), the comet has moved through several constellations, into Cassiopeia and Perseus. It is now visible in the early evening. It is also near its closest point to the Earth. Eleven years later (Dec., 2008), I just now noticed that this photo also has a meteor in it! It is the very faint diagonal streak near the center of the frame. COOL! (The faint horizontal streaks near the top of the frame are not astronomical phenomena - just scratches on the negative. Dang!) This last photo was taken the same night as the Hale-Bopp photos posted several months ago on this same site (see earlier posts).

I continued to photograph the comet for another two months, as it became more distant and appeared smaller. I am anxiously awaiting the next fabulous comet. Holmes in 2007 was cool (see my earlier posts), but nothing to match Hale-Bopp.

Clear Skies!

Identities of Enchanted Grandkids Revealed!

Here are the original photos used by the Goofy Grandpa in perpetrating his magic spell. The first victim was Bailey.
The second victim was Breanne.
The process involves first converting the photos to "negatives,"
then transferring the image to the pumpkin, and carving out all the "light" areas.

This was a first experiment, and I've learned a few tricks along the way. Future enchantments will hopefully be even more recognizable. Thanks for playing. Papa Duck

Grandkid Jack-O'-Lanterns - A Fun Idea

Saturday, I stopped at the Farmer's Market in our neighborhood to pick up some fresh tomatos. There was a big trailer full of cheap pumpkins, so I thought we should have a couple of Jack-O'-Lanterns. Then I tried to think of what to carve. How about if I cast a spell on some of our grandkids and turn them into Jack-O'-Lanterns? Yeah! That would be fun! For me, at least. (Grandma Suzi accuses me of doing it so I could procrastinate a certain weekly chore that I don't like very much. Busted!) Anyway, taking some of her recent portraits, I transferred them to the pumpkins and began carving. This is what they look like with the room light on, and no light inside. See the post below for the finished products. And while you're looking, try to guess which two grandchildren have been enchanted and turned into Jack-O'-Lanterns. Good luck.

Papa Duck

Grandkid Jack-O'-Lanterns - the Finished Product

Here are the finished Jack-O'-Lanterns, as seen in the dark and lighted inside. Pretty cool, huh? Now, can you guess which of our 31 grandkids have been turned into Jack-O'-Lanterns? I'll give you a couple of hints: (1) It's not one of the boys. (That narrows it down to just 15 grandaughters). (2) It's not either of the newborns, Eden or Ali. (Now you're down to 13 to choose from.) Post your guesses here under comments, or on the family Yahoo email. Good luck.

Papa Duck

Serre de Laurian - Our Cabin in the Mountains

Since 1989, we've had a little cabin in the mountains near Oakley, UT. We named it "Serre de Laurian," after the name of a quaint little country house I lived in on my mission, in the Cévennes region of southern France. In French, a "serre" is a greenhouse, or a plant nursery, or (more figuratively) a garden spot or a growing place. We've done our best to plant trees, flowers, and to keep it green and pretty.

The third picture in this group was taken early one morning in August, after we had spent most of the night out on the loungers counting and taking pictures of meteors during the annual Perseid metero shower. We also had two telescopes and had fun looking at plantets and hunting deep sky objects like galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, etc. At the cabin, we enjoy the most beautiful dark skies for star gazing. (See the Astronomy Photos post earlier on this blogspot.)

Interior Pictures of Cabin - Serre de Laurian

These pictures show the kitchen/dining area and the living area. It's really all just one big L-shaped room. Notice the wall bed. In addition, there are 4 beds upstairs. We've had over a dozen people staying overnight, with beds and sleeping bags. It's cozy, but better than camping out.

More Interior Pictures of our Cabin - Serre de Laurian

Here are some additional shots of the interior of the cabin. Two bedrooms upstairs. There are two twins (with a third as a trundle under the first one) in the larger bedroom. A king bed fills the smaller bedroom. Of course, there's a little half-bath next to the kitchen downstairs, with the essentials - a sink, toilet & shower. We only have running water in summer, but we can still use the toilet in winter by carrying water in from a year-round yard faucet. It's modest, but comfortable.

Temples

The new Draper Temple shines in the late afternoon sun below Mt. Timpanogos mantled in the first snow of the season. The Jordan River Temple, as seen from our back porch.

Life & Times: Tuxedos

I do get dressed up for the weddings!

Life & Times: Miscellaneous

Papa Duck as Santa, 2002. Learning to play his new musical saw, Christmas, 2003. (It's supposed to be as easy as whistling. NOT!) An impromptu duet at the Grand Canyon with a total stranger from Kansas City, so naturally we had to sing Roger Miller's "Kansas City Star." Visiting with Suzanne's sister Rita Kay, who keeps me sharp on my nursery rhymes. A free-hand portrait Emily did one Sunday when I was being long-winded from the pulpit.

Life & Times: College

With baritone uke in college (BYU). With babies Elisse & Nathan in law school (Duke).

Life & Times (Mission to France/Switzerland)

A wonderful chapter in my life. I have fond memories of my trusty old bike.

Life & Times Part 3

Granger High School. Good friends. Favorite teachers. Sports. Ever-changing hair styles.