Tag: Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

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October 2024 Wrap-Up

Posted on by Econogal

Pleasant Month

This month has been a beautiful one from a weather standpoint with the first freeze this morning. Just in time to put the frost on the pumpkins for the Trick-or-Treaters. In our small town civic minded organizations hand out candy early in the evening. Then kids wander around the neighborhoods.

The garden has been put to bed with the last of the roses tightly packed into a vase on the kitchen table. One pepper plant now resides in the basement under the grow lights. The benefit of having part of the garden in patio pots.

Books are piled up on bedside tables with yet another small quilt in the living room, keeping hands busy while watching television. It feels like the calm before the storm.

Celestial Skies in October 2024

The highlight of the month was driving to the edge of town several nights to spot the comet. And I have heard some parts of the world will see a different comet tonight. A headless one-so appropriate for Halloween night! Click here to see the best photo of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS.

In the Garden

Fall Bounty

Late harvest included tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes and onions. Herbs such as horehound and rosemary survived the light frost and will be harvested soon. I let the basil go to seed and need to collect it soon.

Hobbies in October 2024

The second astronaut quilt is in the hand quilting stage. My hope is to finish it by Thanksgiving. A couple of other quilts are at various other stages. One in the assembly stage, another on the cutting table and two others in the planning stage. Plenty to do now that the garden has been put to bed.

In the Library

October 2024 had a handful of books read and only two reviews. I enjoyed both Pitch Dark and The Women. And I am still processing the technology of 2054, a sequel to 2034. It is hard to wrap my head around AI much less Singularity. In fact, if it weren’t for The Big Bang episode of many years ago, I would not have even heard of the latter.

Upcoming Election 2024

All through October 2024 I expected to see candidate signs pop-up across town. However, signs have been few and far between. One could wish the same could be said for the political advertisements on radio and T.V. This lack of identification with a candidate is very interesting to me. Especially in a town that tends to have close to 90% of the population lean toward the same political organization.

Twice during the month, I drove through town looking for yard signs. Less than two dozen for the main party and only two for the minority party. It will be interesting to see how the voters turn out.

Regardless of your political beliefs, I hope you vote on election day-it is just around the corner.

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS and Mid-October Musings

Posted on by Econogal
Comet in the dusk sky with amber glow on the horizon.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS on October 22, 2024

Spotting a Comet

The highlight through Mid- October is finally seeing Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. Closely following is the over one inch of rain in one weekend. Of course, the latter delayed the former! Cloudy and rainy skies during prime viewing of the comet and of the Orionid meteor shower put a bit of a damper on my favorite time of year.

Fortunately, the skies cleared enough on the 22nd for a brief but wonderful view of the comet. I live far enough north that the tail disappears into the horizon after a short time. Photos from south and west of here from the same date give views of the comet and the milky way.

Watching the Skies in Mid-October

My favorite meteor shower is the Orionids. Multiple reasons can be given. First, the showers stem from Halley’s Comet. Then, the timing. October has cool but not cold frigid nights. So, unlike the Geminid meteor shower of December, one can comfortably enjoy stargazing with perhaps a sweater or light blanket.

Plus, the shower bursts from the constellation Orion. This constellation is so bright city dwellers can identify the position. So, growing up in cities, I learned to spot the constellation early. Of course, out here on the Great Plains the stars are incredible. Worthy of a vacation for those unable to see the Milky Way due to the light pollution.

Comet Watching

Halley’s Comet was the first comet I remember seeing. I was a young adult. So, I will need to live as long as my friend Beverly, to view the return.

Hale-Bopp was the first comet my offspring watched. And the youngest was too young to remember. I hope she can leave the bright lights of Houston to get a glimpse. Like a total solar eclipse, comets don’t come around often.

No Snow-Just Rain

All through the 1990s, moisture from Mid-October forward appeared as snow. Many Halloweens meant kids wearing snow boots and once the mayor even cancelled Trick-or-Treat due to the blizzard earlier in the week. Now the first snow may not fall until Christmas. Farmers and ranchers know the climate is changing. It is the blame game that creates arguments.

Regardless of the form, the moisture was much needed and measured over an inch on my garden rain gauge. Digging the fall root crops should be easier now.

 

Mid-October in Past Years

Leaves are turning yellow, gold and orange with a small sprinkling of red. Not enough sugar trees in this part of the world. I miss the glorious colors of New England along with the afternoon football games. The closest experience in recent years was the trip to Canada in 2018. Click here for beautiful fall pictures.

However, each region has its’ own fall beauty. The tawny colors of the fields bring to mind lyrics. Amber waves of grain truly make for a Beautiful America. We need to remember we are one country, indivisible, regardless of the contentious rhetoric of late fall campaigns.

2024 Elections

Mid-October also means Election Day is just weeks away. Early voting has started in some states. I have been studying the blue book sent out by the state concerning the many amendments and propositions posited by the legislature and citizens. There are many.

Since I am not affiliated with any political party, I weigh each candidate and each proposal before making my determination. Apologies to both my father and paternal grandfather. They tried to get me to vote straight tickets. And thanks to my mom who instilled in me that the absolute best thing about the United States of America was the right to vote privately.

Pollsters may know what they are talking about. Then again, maybe not. Regardless of who your favorite candidate is, I encourage you to go out and vote. Voting is a privilege many do not have in this wide world we have.