Cosmic Convergence

by Tim Lyden

Title

Cosmic Convergence

Artist

Tim Lyden

Medium

Photograph - Metal

Description

Perseid Meteors display through the Aurora Borealis above Sparks Lake and the Cascade Mountains in Central Oregon last week August 11-12. Meteors were extracted from over 530 photos and added to a single image taken during one of the peaks of the Aurora.

The Perseid meteor shower peaks every August when the Earth travels through the debris field from comet Swift-Tuttle. The Meteor Shower is called the Perseids since the radiant of the meteors – the point in the sky from which they appear to come – is the constellation Perseus.

The aurora borealis displays of 2024 result from the increased sunspot activity in the 11 year solar cycle of increasing and decreasing sunspot activity. Within the solar cycle, scientists calculate and predict the period of the greatest sunspot activity known as the solar maximum. Scientists calculate the solar maximum by recording the number of daily sunspots. As it gets complicated determining the 13 month height of solar activity called solar maximum, a variety of predictions are made to identify when the solar maximum is reached. Some have predicted an expected solar maximum between July 2024 and January 2025 but that it could take as long as the end of 2025 or 2026 before we can confidently state when solar maximum occurred.

Vibrant streaks of green and pink light illuminate the night sky above a serene mountainous landscape, reflected perfectly in a calm body of water. Meteors streak through the atmosphere, adding dynamic movement to the tranquil scenery.

Uploaded

August 19th, 2024

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