A Celestial Game of Chicken Unfolding

 On their way to their December 21 "collision" date, the planets Saturn (upper left at center) and Jupiter are shown within about one degree of one another in the southwest sky on Thursday evening, December 10, 2020. Images from Bowman Woods Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Saturn shown at 0.64 magnitude, Jupiter at -1.99. Above image was captured at 5:38 pm CST, and is a 4 second exposure at f/5.6, ISO 320, 55mm focal length.

5:44 pm. Looking southwest over Chatham Road NE from Bowman Woods Park. 2.5 second exposure at f/4.5, ISO 320, 32mm focal length.

While out in the field in the park, I noticed the distant hillside to my south (looking over Brentwood Drive NE) appearing far more open than it once was, and quickly realized the August 10 derecho storm was the cause. Many trees were damaged or destroyed there and have since been removed, revealing houses and their Christmas lights. This is a three-shot panorama, shot at 5:47 pm. It is a 2.5 second exposure at f/4.5, ISO 320, 18mm focal length. Air temperature was 44 degrees F, down for a daily high of 60 degrees F. Nikon D7200 DSLR camera.