Last Attempt At Comet Watching

Above, last night's moon and some stars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night's sky was the first clear sky in days, so I thought I would try to see Comet NEOWISE one last time.

Unfortunately, although the sky was clear, the comet has gone too far from the sun for any kind of brilliance. I couldn't spot it, even with binoculars. Having a half-moon out last night didn't help with visibility either as it probably made the sky too bright for seeing the comet.

At least I got to see it last week.

Finally Saw The Comet!

Above, before the comet appeared. It was actually to the left of the big cloud. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tonight I managed to luck out when the clouds broke away from the northwest for me to be able to see Comet NEOWISE.

I brought out a chair and sat at the end of my driveway to view it.

Once the sun went down, all I had to do was to look below the Big Dipper to find the comet. To the naked eye, it was more like a smudge. But with binoculars, I was able to make out the corona and its tail.

Above, the house and garage from my viewing position. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was too faint to take any photos of it with my digital cameras. If I had film (and a fresh battery), I would be able to set my old Olympus OM-1 film camera on a tripod to take time exposures of it. I did this back in the 1990s when Comet Hale-Bopp was in the night sky. That comet was much brighter and was easily seen, even within the bright lights of downtown Los Angeles.

Above, one of my photos of Comet Hale-Bopp. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Comet NEOWISE's tail was longer and thinner than Hale-Bopp's.

I will bring out my telescope tomorrow for some (hopefully) better viewing, provided the clouds cooperate. While I was out tonight, I saw occasional lightning flashes to the south.

Cloud Cover Blocked Comet Viewing, But...

Above, the Jeep at Six Mile Canyon last evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night's plan was to sit out and do some comet-watching.

In case you didn't know, a comet, Comet NEOWISE, that was discovered in March, is visible with binoculars or a telescope in the northwestern sky. It is below the Big Dipper after sundown.

Above, the cloud cover that blocked my view. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Unfortunately, that plan was thwarted by cloud cover. I'll try again tonight.

EarthSky posted information on how to see Comet NEOWISE. To access it, go here.

At least I was able to take a little drive over to Six Mile Canyon in the Jeep after dinner.