Hunting for the Perseids: A Cloudy Night with a Surprise
This past August 12th, my brother and I ventured out to Calgary, Alberta, armed with lawn chairs and a camera, hoping to catch a glimpse of the annual Perseid meteor shower. We set up our gear, pointed our camera towards the northeast, and braced ourselves for the celestial display, swatting away persistent flies for about an hour.
When Clouds Intervene
As is often the case with meteor hunting, nature had other plans. Clouds began to roll in, casting a blanket over the sky and dimming our chances of seeing any distinct meteor streaks. While we weren't sure if any of the faint trails we captured were indeed Perseids, the night offered a different kind of magic.
Lady Aurora's Appearance
Just as we were beginning to feel a bit disheartened by the weather, the sky surprised us. Lady Aurora, the elusive Aurora Borealis, decided to put on a short but spectacular show. It was a beautiful, unexpected bonus that added a touch of wonder to our night.
The Technicals
Our session took place between 10-11 pm in Calgary. We managed to capture a time-lapse sequence consisting of 400 photos. The images were taken using a Canon R6 camera paired with a Sigma 20mm f1.4 lens. Each exposure lasted 2 seconds with a 4-second gap between shots.
While the Perseids remained elusive, the experience of witnessing the aurora and the resulting time-lapse made the cloudy night a memorable one. It’s a great reminder that even when our initial plans are disrupted, the universe often has something equally breathtaking to offer.
