By day I like to see the houses in Riviera; by night I like to see the night.  I asked a neighbor if he would consider lessening how much he illuminates his house and beyond it.  He responded spectacularly, turning off all the soffit lights when the house is not in use.  A field of stars is visible in the background.  Thank you, Joe, for the courtesy of preserving the night sky.  

 

One of the opportunities gained from supporting dark skies may soon be realized.  In the next few months, an exploding star may appear as a nova in the constellation Corona Borealis, the northern crown.  With a sufficiently dark sky you can likely see the celestial apparition, which will be about as bright as Polaris, the North Star.  

You can Photograph a New Star with your cell phone. Take a “before” picture now of Corona Borealis from Riviera (click to enlarge), then get another as soon as the star blows. The nova may be visible only a few days or weeks. 

 

To find Polaris...
From the Big Dipper, go the distance between the two end stars (the Pointers) of the bowl about five times in the direction water would pour out.  That lone star you see about 42 degrees up from the horizon is Polaris.  

To find Corona Borealis…
Folllow the arc of the Big Dipper handle the other way to the bright star Arcturus.  East of it is Corona Borealis.  With your cell phone camera, take a long-duration (about 3 seconds) exposure with Arcturus in the lower right corner of the frame.  Hold still.  The northern crown should be in the field of view.  

 

As the weeks pass, Corona Borealis will appear closer to the western horizon each night.  The image taken from The Blow at Blueberry Lane was Sept. 2 at midnight.  

If you succeed in capturing a before-and-after photo of Corona Borealis with the nova, it may be a pair of images few people on earth will have.  You can thank Joe for his part in making it possible.  Enjoy his house by day, and enjoy the night by night.