Distant Storm on a Spring Evening

June 24, 2014

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Photographer: Gerry Buckel
Summary Authors: Gerry Buckel; Jim Foster

On an agreeable spring evening, while watching a distant thunderstorm from Fostoria, Michigan, a meteor (top) and jet airliner (contrail at bottom) also entered the scene. The camera is facing east. Though thunder is rarely heard more than about 15 mi (24 km) away, at night sheet or heat lightning can be visible for over 100 mi (160 km). The meteor is perhaps associated with the Camelopardalids Meteor Shower. Note that the bright star at upper right center is Vega, in the constellation Lyra. Photo taken on May 22, 2014.

Photo details: Camera Model: NIKON D5100; Lens: 18.0-250.0 mm f/3.5-6.3; Focal Length: 18mm (35mm equivalent: 27mm); Aperture: f/3.5; Exposure Time: 31.900 s; ISO equiv: 200; Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 12.0 Windows.