Location: Anza desert site,
Equipment: Celestron 9.25” Edge HD
C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) comet
Was not sure about brightness and visibility window, so I started looking for it right after sunset with 15x70 binos. 45 minutes later I have finally spotted the comet against still bright sky. Awesome! Bright compact nucleus and long widening tail – my first “proper” comet. The views got better as sky darkened. At ~21:00 it was visible naked eye. I have managed a few phone pics.
Unfortunately, it was too low for the scopes, and a few minutes later the comet disappeared behind the skyline. Rest of the evening was devoted to galaxy hunting in Booties.
Booties galaxies (all with 9.25” Edge)
7/16/20
My family got excited seeing the comet pics and hearing the stories, so next evening we tried to find the comet from our light polluted home. It almost did not happen because of the patchy clouds. Luckily, they have parted away at the right time and spot to show the comet. Surprisingly, it was visible naked eye, but not as bright as from Anza. 8x40 and 10x50 binos have shown bright compact nucleus and tail. 10x50 has shown more of the tail. This was the only time we have managed to see it from home. Since then every evening was clouded here.
7/19/20
Upon arrival to Anza desert I found OCA site packed with people. Well, maybe not literally packed, about 30 or so, but it has been years since I saw that many folks there. Clearly, most of them came for the comet.
After setting up the scopes (at the spot better suited for the comet) I was sitting in the chair enjoying sunset when I spotted a tarantula leisurely walking towards me.
I picked a stick and drove him away. The guy was mellow but determined and it took me awhile to convince him to change direction. Once it disappeared in the bushes I went back to my peaceful contemplation. A few minutes later I spotted some movement, looked down and saw another one almost touching my leg. My body jumped away before I even realized what’s going on.
The second tarantula was also quite determined to follow me but did not show even a bit of aggression when I started gently pushing him away. Finally, he gave up and slowly walked away. What’s up with that?! Did they all come out to see the comet? Rest assured I kept scanning the surroundings with a red light for the rest of the night.
C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
The comet was even more beautiful.
This time I have managed to take a good look with Stellarvue 102mm ED/TV Panoptic 27mm (26x) and even snapped some pics.
I still preferred the view with 15x70; they have shown more tail compared to the frac. There were a lot of comet related activity going at the site. I kept hearing wows and “where is it?” Green lasers were hitting comet location constantly, sometimes more than one at the time.
I left the comet for others to enjoy and looked around. Summer sky was magnificent. I did a bit of touring. 9.25” Edge delivered nice detailed views of M4, M3, M81/82, M57, M51/NGC5194. The Whirlpool was particularly impressive. Largest and brightest view I ever saw, with bridge and two arms resolved with averted vision. Satisfied I went back to Herschel 2,500.
Booties galaxies (all with 9.25” Edge)