This video was created from a series of 224 images taken from 8:58pm to 10:46pm on Thursday, July 16 at Harrington Beach State Park. 

To take these images, I used a Canon M6 Mark II mirrorless camera coupled to a Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 lens, mounted on a tripod. I shot at ISO 3200, and in Aperture Priority mode set to f/1.4 and allowing the camera to automatically set the exposure. Exposure times varied from 1/4 second in the beginning to 4 seconds at the end, with a 30 second delay between each exposure. A wired remote Canon TC-80N3 intervalometer was used to set the interval time and run the exposure series. 

The series of camera RAW files were brought directly into Apple iMovie, without any post-processing, and the length of display time per image was adjusted to create a video nine seconds long.

This time lapse has been viewed roughly twelve thousand times on social media over the first week it was posted, including over eight thousand times on Facebook alone. I have a direct link to the video on my personal website, www.astrosetz.com for those who would like to see it without the compression that social media sites impose.

A lot has been going on lately, and I’ve been posting on social media; now, I’m getting to the point where I’d like to craft a story. It’s not there yet, but I do have a page for one of my recent projects: the Digiscope Adapter.

On March 28, the 8th annual Astronomy Swap N Sell event will take place at the Aviation Heritage Center in Sheboygan Falls, WI. Created and sponsored by the Sheboygan Astronomical Society, this has become a favorite event amongst area astronomy enthusiasts. Late March is the perfect time to dust off the cosmic cobwebs that set in over the long midwestern winter, and the prospect of seeing friends from across the state — and even the region — really gets my astronomy juices flowing.

It begins with breakfast at a nice place on the way. My go-to for this was the Madison Avenue Inn nestled in the tiny town of Cascade, WI — but now it’s gone. Hopefully, we’ll find an alternative to Taco Bell’s “AM Crunchwrap” that one of my friends likes so much.

How do you get to the Aviation Heritage Center? Just drive to the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, and the building you’re looking for is hard to miss!

Once inside, you pass through the little museum into the main room, where all the action is. It’s important to know that there is a full kitchen off to the left of this picture, where you can get Sheboygan-style brats (yes, a double-brat on a Johnston Bakery hard roll). You can also get “regular” brats if you want, as well as other snack-type items and beverages. I heard that this year they are adding a “Pluto Burger” so we’ll just have to see what that’s all about…in the interest of documenting the event, you understand.

You can find all kinds of telescopes, binoculars, eyepieces, books and other fantastic stuff. It’s different every year, and the more people who attend, the more there is to choose from, which is great because as word gets out the event is getting bigger.

Everyone has such a great time, regardless if you’re buying, selling, or browsing! It’s nice to see old friends and make new ones.

You never know what you’ll find at the Swap N Sell. I’ve been looking for a copy of the Glass Giant Of Palomar for years, but didn’t want to pay the huge asking prices for the relatively rare book. A few years ago at the Swap N Sell, I found a copy at an excellent price, and in fact, I gave the seller more than he was asking. The Stokes Sandpiper 15-45x65mm angled spotting scope is long out of production, and I was delighted to find it as well.

Each year there are a few astronomy-related talks as well. People such as Michael Bakich from Astronomy Magazine have spoken in the past; this year, I’m giving a talk:

So, mark your calendars and tell your friends about the Astronomy Swap N Sell on March 28. As the event runs from 9am to 2pm, early arrival is advised. I hope to see you there, and maybe we can even do a little business to boot!

I’ve added a new section to my blog for Food & Cooking, where I’ve published my own version of jambalaya that’s diabetic-friendly and healthier than the traditional recipes I’ve come across, but still true to the signature flavors of the dish. I’ll share other recipes, cookbooks, and restaurant dishes here too, and would love to see your comments and feedback.