2020 Autumnal Equinox

September 22 was the 2020 Autumnal Equinox.  I was hoping for clearer skies at the shore to capture the sunrise, but Hurricane Teddy was in the Atlantic heading for Nova Scotia.  It brought high surf, coastal flooding, small-craft,  and a gale warning for mariners along the North Carolina coastline.  The second reason for watching the sunrise was because they said that the sunrise and sunset are faster near the equinoxes, but due to the cloudy conditions I was unable to witness it.

Twilight at Atlantic Beach: 

I got up early and drove to Atlantic Beach hoping to see a spectacular sunrise. First, stop at Atlantic Beach to take some twilight pictures of the fishing pier.  Second,  stop at Fort Macon at the far end of the barrier island.

Taken at 06:15 on 20d of September Shutter Speed: 1.3 sec Aperture: f/2.8 ISO: 1000 Focal Length: 36mm Compass Bearing: SouthWest – 234 degrees

Taken at 06:14 on 20d of September Shutter Speed: 1.3 sec Aperture: f/2.8 ISO: 1000 Focal Length: 36mm Compass Bearing: SouthWest – 234 degrees

Pre-Sunrise at Fort Macon:

I was hoping for a spectacular sunrise, but I didn’t get what I was expecting.  They have new cannon on display at Fort Macon a WWII 1917 155mm GPF Cannon.

Taken at 07:28 on 20d of September Shutter Speed: 1/100 Aperture: f/5 ISO: 79 Focal Length: 50mm

Taken at 07:15 on 20d of September Shutter Speed: 1/400 Aperture: f/11 ISO: 79 Focal Length: 17mm Compass Bearing: East – 90 degrees

Taken at 07:06 on 20d of September Shutter Speed: 1/125 Aperture: f/5.6 ISO: 125 Focal Length: 17mm

Taken at 06:45 on 20d of September Shutter Speed: 1/18 Aperture: f/4.5 ISO: 1000 Focal Length: 50mm

Taken at 07:11 on 20d of September Shutter Speed: 1/250 Aperture: f/8 ISO: 79 Focal Length: 50mm Compass Bearing: East – 90 degrees

Taken at 07:11 on 20d of September Shutter Speed: 1/250 Aperture: f/8 ISO: 79 Focal Length: 50mm Compass Bearing: East – 90 degrees

Taken at 06:58 on 20d of September Shutter Speed: 1/6 Aperture: f/2.8 ISO: 125 Focal Length: 50mm

Astronomical Sky:

In the evening, I  was hoping for clear skies to view the Milky Way, but the Moon wasn’t cooperating.  The Moon was in a  Waxing Crescent phase at 40%, and then the clouds started rolling in.

Taken at 22:04 Shutter Speed: 8.0 sec Aperture: f/4 ISO: 1600 Focal Length: 24mm Compass Bearing: East 90 degrees

Taken at 22:02 Shutter Speed: 8.0 sec Aperture: f/4 ISO: 1600 Focal Length: 24mm Compass Bearing: West – 270 degrees

Taken at 22:00 Shutter Speed: 8.0 sec Aperture: f/4 ISO: 1600 Focal Length: 24mm Compass Bearing: West – 270 degrees

Equipment Used:

Nikon D7500

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FL (for Twilight and Sunrise)

Tamron 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD  (for Astronomical Twilight)

Tripod

B+W Circular Polarizer Filter (for Sunrise)