Neowise, finally

[KathyNS]

Finally, the infamous Fundy fog cleared, and I got a look at C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE). No pics, as my observatory decided to have connectivity problems, and the portable camera I took with me didn’t have the performance I had hoped.

They say the comet has faded significantly in the last couple of days. I can believe it. While it was naked-eye, it was mostly visible by averted vision. Only the head showed up with direct vision, against the deep twilight sky.

There was no comparison to Hale-Bopp in 1997. My first view of it was in a bright dawn sky. I looked up and saw what looked like a short contrail lit by the Sun. Nope, it was Hale-Bopp. It was bright!!

In contrast, Neowise was only visible in a much darker sky because I knew where to look.

[KingNothing13]

Glad you finally got to see it Kathy.

I agree - it's not even close Hale-Bopp. Still a beautiful sight though.

[Makuser]

Hi Kathy. I am glad that the Bay Of Fundy fog lifted and you had a successful shot at Comet Neowise. It should be visible to even naked eye (depending on the sky) and also binoculars. But, all we have had here lately in Florida for 10 days are tropical rains and thunderstorms. Congratulations on spotting Comet Neowise Kathy, and the kindest of regards.

[Lady Fraktor]

It is surprising how much it has faded in the last couple of days, good that you could get a look finally.

[KathyNS]

my observatory decided to have connectivity problems

Turns out the problem with the observatory was a flat tire!

Well, not quite: the tire came off the rim. The reason for the abort was a failure to select the specified filter. After eliminating all other possibilities, I opened up the filter wheel and found that the tire had come off the wheel, preventing the motor from driving it.

It's clear now, but not supposed to stay that way, so I don't know when I'll have another session.

[Bigzmey]

Congrats on catching it Kathy! I had an opposite experience. When I finally managed Hale-Bopp it was a faint blob in binos, so Neowise is my first naked eye comet with tail.

[helicon]

Great Kathy. I'm still shut-out by the fog. So I expect whenever the weather finally clears I'll have to view it in one of my scopes. I did see Hale-Bopp, though - that was bright and impressive!

[terrynak]

Thanks for bringing up Hale-Bopp and how it compared to Neowise, Kathy!

I was out of astronomy in 1997 (after pursuing it in the 1980s), so I didn't see Hale-Bopp. Returned to sky watching well over a decade later.

[bobharmony]

I'm glad you were able to catch the comet last night, Kathy. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate for you. I got my first look on the morning of the 12th when it was easily visible in the morning twilight. I got some images last night, but the comet was completely invisible in the darkening evening sky for me. LP played a factor as well.

Bob

[DEnc]

Ha! You struggle with the Fundy fog, and in SoCal we have the Catalina Eddy. (Sounds like an LA gangster to me.) I drove 90min away from the coast to see Neowise and found it breathtaking--huge, albeit faint. It's the first naked eye comet I've seen in quite a while; I was in NYC when Hale-Bopp came around.

[AbbN]

Glad you got to see it! Judging from some of the reports, I got the impression it was bright and easy to see but that now appears to be wrong. I have yet to see it but unfortunately I have to look towards brightly lit Detroit (because of the bend in the Detroit river Windsor is actually SOUTH of Detroit and therefore the USA ) ......

Abb

[Falcon 63]

Well done!
From my part of the world it was clouds