NEOWISE Comet

If you have even a slight interest in astronomy, you should go out one night this week after 10:45 or so, and look to the NNW. It won't be as bright as this photo taken in Sechelt last night, but you'll still see it with the naked-eye. Binoculars would be even better. Comets this bright are pretty rare.  I was able to see it last night from River Road, across from the airport.

https://www.nsnews.com/comet-neowise-visits-sechelt-1.24169461

You're fucking kidding me.

Was that a time-lapse shot?

Probably only 10-20 seconds to brighten it up. It's not moving like a meteor, it just looks like it's hanging in the sky.

A couple of thousand years ago, the appearance of a comet in the middle of a pandemic would have been a sure sign that the gods were pissed about something.

I will try and find it tonight.  Does it get higher in the sky as the night goes on?  From Squamish I am just wondering how much the mountains block it.  The NNW is toward Garabaldi.

I saw Hale Bopp in the 90's from a boat in Johnstone Strait and it was one of those things you never forget.

It gets lower as the earth rotates towards the east.

Isn't Garibaldi easterly of Squamish?

Posted by: switch

It gets lower as the earth rotates towards the east.

Isn't Garibaldi easterly of Squamish?

Ya, it is more NNE.  I am not sure what I was thinking.  I have closer mountains to the NW so it might be tricky to catch it unless I hop in the car.

Some viewing tips here, https://www.space.com/comet-neowise-visibility-july-2020.html

The first good opportunity for evening viewing begins on July 12, when the head of the comet will stand 5 degrees above the north-northwest horizon, 80 minutes after sunset (the end of nautical twilight). By July 14 its altitude will have already doubled to 10 degrees, and by July 19 it will have doubled yet again to 20 degrees up by the end of nautical twilight. By then it will have moved to above the northwest horizon.

It's going to get closer to the earth, which should make it bigger in appearance, but it will also get farther from the sun which will decrease the tail and brightness.

The best of my photos from tonight. 20 second exposure.  There was some haze in the air, so not as clear as it could be.

Nice. Where was that taken from?

I also saw Hale Bopp back in the day. I was in the middle of rural Scotland and at a remote cottage. It was amazing, made you feel pretty small.

West end of River Road, across the river from the airport (the red lights), just after 11PM.