Comet C/2006 M4 (SWAN) as seen from Storm Mountain on Wednesday evening.
Thursday,
October 12th - Comet SWAN Visible In Evening Sky...
Newly
discovered Comet C/2006 M4 (SWAN) is now visible
in the northwestern sky just after sunset. This is
the fourth visible comet of 2006.
Although still
too faint for naked eye viewing, Comet
C/2006 M4 (SWAN) is an easy target for
binoculars and small backyard telescopes. SWAN
also shows up well in longer exposure photographs
of 30 seconds or more.
The comet is
expected to stay in our northwestern skies
throughout the month of October, getting higher in
the sky each evening and possibly becoming a
naked-eye object under dark skies away from the
glow of city lights..
Comet C/2006
M4 (SWAN) was discovered in July of 2006. The
comet was found on images obtained using the SWAN
camera, hence its name, aboard the Solar
and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft
during the period of June 20 to July 5.
To see Comet
SWAN, look to the northwest just after sunset.
SWAN is currently located just below and to the
left of the end star in the handle of the Big
Dipper, rising slightly higher in the sky each
evening. A finder map for the month of October is
provided below.
A
series of cold fronts and upper level disturbances
are expected to bring measurable snow to the
mountains and foothills during the first half of
the week, beginning on Monday evening.
Along with
measurable snowfall, the area will also experience
some of the coldest temperatures of the season,
with an Arctic blast sending nighttime lows into
the low 20's by mid-week.
Area residents
are advised to be prepared for possible winter
driving conditions, particularly in rural areas of
the mountains and foothills. Gardeners are advised
to harvest or bring indoors any remaining crops
and/or flowers, as a killing freeze is expected.
The National
Weather Service in Denver has issued a "Snow
Advisory" in effect from noon Monday through 6:00AM MDT
on Tuesday for the majority of the
mountains and foothills. Current predictions are
for 4-8 inches of snow in our area. The complete
text of the official advisory can be found via the
link provided below.
As
Fall colors fade away in the higher elevations,
the mid to lower elevations are at their peak of
color this weekend. The colors along the Devil's
Backbone are featured in this week's photo of the
week.
The Devil's
Backbone, a narrow formation of rock running
north-south along the front range of Colorado, is
one of the most impressive and visible geologic
landmarks in Larimer County, as well as an
important cultural feature with a rich and
colorful history. The Devil's
Backbone is also is the main attraction in the
2,198 acre, Devil's
Backbone Open Space in Larimer County.
The Devil's
Backbone Open Space protects wildlife habitat, a
rare plant community and provides for expanded
recreational activities. Its focal point, a unique
rock formation featuring The Keyhole, is easily
spotted from many locales.
The
Devil's Backbone is located off Hidden Valley
Drive, approximately 2 miles west of the
intersection of Wilson and Eisenhower in Loveland.
It is a very popular spot, so if you should arrive
and find the parking lot full you will know that
the trails are at maximum capacity.
While hiking
the trails be sure to stay alert for rattlesnakes
and other hazards present in the area. Informative
brochures at the trailhead provide information on the
area including safety precautions around these hazards.
The Devil's
Backbone area provides a wealth of recreational
activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and
horseback riding on the 7-mile trail system. The
trailhead at Devil's Backbone features restroom
facilities, drinking water, horse-trailer parking
and a picnic area.
The vast
majority of the trees in this area are currently
at their peak of Fall color making this a prime time to visit
one of our local, Larimer County treasures.
Listen to this article
Larimer
County Commissioners Oppose
Amendment 38
Tuesday,
October 3rd - County Commissioners Oppose
Amendment 38...
The Board
of Larimer County Commissioners today agreed
to consider a formal resolution next week,
Tuesday, October 10, at their Administrative
Matters meeting, in opposition to Amendment 38, a
statewide issue on the November general election
ballot. The Board agreed today that all three were
opposed to the amendment.
The amendment
asks voters to approve changes to Colorado’s
initiative and referendum law by extending the
initiative process to all levels of Colorado
government including counties, cities and special
districts.
To show their
opposition to Amendment 38, the Board will
consider a formal resolution October 10th
during the weekly Administrative Matters. The
Board of Larimer County Commissioners had the
following comments today concerning their
opposition:
Chair,
Glenn Gibson said, “I oppose Amendment 38
because it does not support representative
government. We are elected to make decisions and
amendment 38 takes that action out of our hands.
Since we are a democratic republic, citizens
review our decisions when we come up for
re-election.”
Commissioner
Kathay Rennels said, “I oppose Amendment 38
because it truly creates less representative
government and further confuses an already
complicated system.”
Commissioner
Karen Wagner said, “Amendment 38 overly
complicates the initiative and referendum process
for all levels of government within Colorado. Of
particular importance is the fact that the
objective analysis of ballot issues and their
projected costs (contained in the state’s Blue
Book) would be replaced by the required
publication of unedited arguments mailed at
taxpayer expense.”
