Time now for Palmer’s night sky dark theater

November is here and without the snow cover, it is very dark. This is a natural time between the busy harvest time and the onset of the holidays. Thanksgiving is a few weeks out so we have the time and opportunity to focus on the pause and the beauty of the elegant night skies. If you have been watching the night sky recently you will have seen the theatrics of the Northern Lights, the shooting stars, the stationary stars, the shimmering planets, and the passages of the moon. There have been bursts of asteroids periodically resembling a small fireworks show. Our space wonders are somewhat visible to the human eye and with the help of telescopes a full world emerges. There of course have been the long pale pink and blue sunsets that last for over an hour. This nightly show is a favorite of Palmer Opacarophiles…those who love sunsets. And sunrises that make you cry with their beauty. And in between is that special dark theater

Palmer Celestial Appreciation —Palmer loves its’ star sightings. We might not be active in the summer months but it is going strong right now. Now is the auspicious season when light conflicts are minimal and we can focus on the the darkness unfolding completely. As the sky grows darker and darker we are able to see more and more in the revealing space. We have a number of aficionados who are fond of the night skys. Palmer Astrophiles are the lovers of stars and astronomy in general. Palmer Selenaophiles are those who love the moon and are ever waiting and watchful. Palmer Nyctophiles are people who love both night or darkness. Next week is an eclipse and regardless of our weather window and ability to observe the Penumbral Eclipse, Palmer Umbraphiles (eclipse lovers) will be watching to see the total lunar eclipse on November 7.

Palmer Auroraphiles—I might have made this word up…”auroraphiles”…but it fits. We LOVE the aurora. We take pics and we wake our neighbors. The word ‘Phile’ comes from ancient Greek word, ‘phileein’ meaning to love. And Phile identifies a person who loves or have a fondness for a specified thing. The Northern Lights is nature’s most extravagant light show. Last week we had a tremendous show and Palmer’s social media went crazy, rightfully. No one wants to miss it. There is something ethereal about the dark space and the neon ribbons of lights swirling above your head. It is an overwhelming connection to the beyond.

Daylight Savings Time Ends—This Sunday our Palmer clocks move backwards. This means the 6pm sunset will be 5pm. There will be more daylight in the morning, but not much. It’s so silly actually. “Fall Back” is the motto and it is easily remembered by the “garden tool” scenario: In the fall you put your garden tools “back” in the shed. In the spring you bring your garden tools “forward.” Likewise with the clock adjustment. There is a bill in the legislature to get rid of Daylight Savings Time, but the bill hasn’t yet passed both bodies.

This Week in Palmer—First Friday is celebrated at various shops in Palmer on Friday Night. Saturday is the first Annual Holiday Ball and Fundraiser at the Palmer Senior Citizens Center. There is a dog show at the fair grounds. There is rock painting, curling, and live music. This is the last weekend for “The Little Shop of Horrors” and this production has been excellent. Don’t miss it at The Glenn Massay Theater at the college.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. Barbara shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222.