I’m honored to have my photograph of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch included in ZUMA Press’s Pictures of the Month for February. This image captures the dramatic ascent of Falcon 9 as it carried 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
ZUMA Press is the world’s largest independent press agency and wire service. ZUMA’s top-of-the-class photographers have won every major award—from the prestigious Pulitzer to the World Press Awards, along with multiple Best of Photojournalism (BOP) and Pictures of the Year (POYi) awards. With over 12,000 new images posted daily, ZUMA’s state-of-the-art online archive has grown to an incredible 20 million images, making it the largest purely editorial library on the web.
I’m proud to be part of such a distinguished selection of images and invite you to explore the full gallery of this month’s stunning photographs. Check out the video of February’s featured images at https://thepicturesofthemonth.com
You can also view more of my work, from fast food to aviation and many more intriguing projects on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com Thanks!
Photographed last night… SpaceX launch of the Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This is the 23rd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-153, NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, Bandwagon-2, and 13 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Last night, the Waxing Gibbous Moon, captured three days before it reached its full phase. The heavy winds that previously shrouded the sky with dust cleared, revealing the moon’s surface in sharp detail. Its craters and lunar features are illuminated against the inky blackness of the night. January 10, 2025 Palm Springs California
The full moon in July is called the “Buck” moon named by the Algonquin people of the Northeastern United States. It signifies when the new antlers of the buck deer first become visible above their fur. July 21, 2024 Palm Springs California
The Strawberry Moon is the first full moon of Summer when it occurs on the Solstice. It only happens every 19 – 20 years. Native American Tribles named it to match the short harvest time for Strawberries. It appears reddish because it’s close to the horizon and the lowest full Moon of the year. 06-21-2024 Palm Springs California
I often get asked what I use for my Solar and Lunar photography. This is it… Fujifilm X-T3 camera body, 2x extender, 100-400mm lens. I use a Fujifilm cable release although sometimes I use the Fujifilm app on my iPhone. The Solar filter is from Thousand Oaks Optical. It is on a tall Induro tripod. But what really made things easier is this Benro geared head. The pool is optional. Thanks!
The large Sunspot area, designated AR3712, continues to grow and now exhibits a mixed polarity magentic field. This could result in flares and solar winds causing radio disruption and auroral activity on Earth. 06-17-2024 Palm Springs California
The large Sunspt area is designated AR3712. Covering an area five times the surface of the Earth, it had greatly increased in size in the last 24 hours. Flares and magnetic complexity could bring Auroral activity and radio blackouts. 06-15-2024 Palm Springs California
Expected today, severe geomagnetic storms on Earth resulting from at least five coronal mass ejections (CME). The result will be radio blackouts and high auroral activity. The source for much of it is sunspot area AR3664, which has doubled in size in the last 24 hours. It is now 14 times larger than the area of the Earth. 05-10-2024 Palm Springs California
One photograph from this morning… Over the last 24 hours Solar Flares have caused numerous minor to moderate radio blackouts across the globe. The most active Sunspot area, designated AR3664, has been estimated to range from 81 – 99 individual Sunspots and as large an area as over 7 times the size of the Earth. 05-09-2024 Palm Springs California
Solar activity remains very high with more X-flares, the highest category, producing Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). The large Sunspot area, designated AR 3664, is now seven times the size of the Earth and made up of 62 individual Sunspots. My photograph from this morning. 05-08-2024
The third day of very high solar activity. The Sunspot areas have produced a number of X-flares, the highest category, as well as other smaller flares. Active conditions are expected to continue with Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) and high speed solar winds from Coronal holes. The Earth can expect to see Geomagnetic storms disrupting radio and increased Auroras. 05-07-2024
From this morning, 14 Sunspot regions make this the largest number so far in this Solar Cycle 25. These Sunspots have been throwing off Coronal Mass Ejections combimed with a fast Solar wind are causing strong geomagnetic storms on Earth. Auroras have been seen as far south as Pennsylvania, Oregon and Iowa. 04-24-2024
Excited to see my photograph of today’s Solar Eclipse on the front page of the ZUMA Press website. Zuma is the largest independent press agency in the world. Only a partial Solar Eclipse here in Southern California. 04-08-2024 Palm Springs
Sunspot Region AR3615 in the last 24hrs has increased in size 50% and now made up of 63 individual Sunspots. It is 3,360 million square kilometers Almost 20 times the size of the Earth. It continues to generate flares and geo-magnetic storms. March 25 2024 Palm Springs California
Sunspot region AR3615 has more than doubled in size in less than 24 hours. It is actually 54 individual Sunpots covering an area almost 5 times larger than Earth. It has produced numerous flares and Coronal Mass Ejections and is expected to continue, causing radio blackouts and Auroras. March 24 2024 Palm Springs California
The large grouping of Sunspots is designated region AR3615. Much larger than the surface of the Earth, it is composed of 52 individual Sunspots. March 22 2024.
The large Sunspot area is desiganted as AR3576. It is actually 44 individual Sunspots measuring 2,010 million square kilometers. By comparison the Earth is 510 million square kilometers. 02-08-2024 Palm Springs California
Numerous Sunspots today. The larger areas are approximately 900 million square kilometers in size. By comparison the Earth measures 516 million square kilometers. Palm Springs California
Overnight time-lapse. Numerous meteors from different directions. Some would be attributed to the Quadrantid shower which is known for very bright fireball meteors. 01-03-2023 Palm Springs California
Numerous visible Sunspot areas including AR3531 on the left and AR3529 on the right. AR3529 is 1,260 million square kilometers. That is over twice the size of the Earth. Palm Springs California
Night sky time-lapse with meteors, some of which could be from the Geminid meteor shower which peaked two days ago. The Geminids will still be active through December 24. Although not dark sky conditions here, I count as many as ten. 12-16-2023 Palm Springs California.
SecondFocus Blog 