While out and about on the Parkway looking for trains, I looked up, saw Gemini, and remembering the crappy job I did the other night photographing it, decided to take another. I forgot to change to tungsten white balance, but I think the auto actually looks better since you can see the actual colors of the stars here.

Gemini (50mm f/1.8 10s, auto-ISO chose ISO 200):

With constellation lines (not official IAU, but as I’ve always known them, drawn in Photoshop CS5):

Location: Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke, VA

Time: 1:51 (9:54 PM – 11:45 PM)

Temperature: 32° F

Instruments used: Nikon D90, 50mm f/1.8, tungsten white balance

Went to take photos and make concentrated effort to locate some unfamiliar constellations. Viewing conditions were very, very good, with no clouds.

Moon phase: waxing crescent

Was setting, and managed to get a decent shot with it near the horizon.

Photographed numerous constellations

Orion. Clearly visible is Betelgeuse in the upper left corner of the constellation (previously known):

The Big Dipper (with one star in handle missing) (previously known):

Casseiopia (previously known):

Ursa Minor (Little Dipper). Polaris is the bright star in the mid-top left (previously known):

Gemini (not as good a picture, will probably redo in future) (new):

Part of Leo known as the Sickle (the other half was seen later behind the mountain and a full photo will be forthcoming). I didn’t think it would look this big in the sky, which caused a bit of trouble in identifying it (previously known):

Part of Taurus. Aldebaran and the Hyades are in the bottom right corner (previously known, but partially forgotten):

Canis Major. Sirius is the brightest star in the photo (previously known from a few weeks earlier):

The planet Jupiter:

While I know I didn’t look at all I wanted to see in all the depth I wanted, I took some great shots (for me, at least), and had a blast just looking at everything, seeing “shooting stars” and enjoying the cold weather. Even though I’ve seen the stars a hundred times, I still take from them the idea that we are little, little things in a much, much, much larger and grander universe. I really hope I don’t tire of skywatching; I certainly don’t plan on it.