Mason Sedlik provided these views of the B2 bomber, which flew over the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Monday.
by Bill Westphal
The second day of the new year was full of activities. The Rose Parade, complete with low level flyby of a B2 Stealth Bomber. The Rose Bowl Game , along with another flyby of a B2 Stealth Bomber. And, another flyby of the International Space Station (ISS).
While it wasn't the most exceptional pass of the ISS, it was a good pass for photography. The ISS passed from Northwest to North-Northeast at only 58 degrees above the horizon but it was very bright at -3.4 Magnitude of Brightness. Because of the trajectory it was low along the the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains.
The First Quarter Moon provided just enough light to illuminate the mountains and trees. It was a beautiful Winter evening with a temperature of 65.8 degrees and calm winds.
This image of the International Space Station was a 2 minute exposure at f6.3, ISO 100. The North Star is just right of center and is a precise dot while the other stars near the edge of the frame are streaked because of the Earth's rotation. The clouds are blurred because of their movement in the wind.
Millions of people watched the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game with our beautiful San Gabriel Mountains as the backdrop. Millions of people wished that they could be here. Here in the beautiful San Gabriel Valley with the weather and sights that we so often take for granted.
Wishing you all a wonderful New Year.
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Bill Westphal is a frequent contributor to Altadenablog and is the Altadena Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Citizen of the Year.
