TONIGHT & BEYOND: How to comet-watch

(Comet seen from ISS, from NASA Photo of the Day)

With a clear sky forecast from tonight, you might be interested in trying to get a look at Comet NEOWISE. West Seattle sky-watcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen has published a post on exactly how to do that from here. You’ll have to be up REALLY early, though, and you might need to try a non-West Seattle vantage point. Or, wait a couple days and it’ll be visible earlier – after sunset. (Monday’s weather looks promising.)

sam-c July 10, 2020 (8:24 pm)

So, forgive me as it’s been awhile since I studied this sort of science. The best time for viewing first thing in the morning is between 3- 3:40 tomorrow morning- During that time frame, it will only pass once, correct? But, there’s no way to narrow the time down? (like if you go outside at 3:20, and never see it, you don’t know if you just plain missed it (it came earlier) or just didn’t see it?)

WSB July 10, 2020 (10:53 pm)

Comets don’t sctually pass like meteorites. Learned that during Hale-Bopp.

Sam Kothe July 10, 2020 (9:38 pm)

Darn, I’ve been meaning to get to bed earlier! Guess I’m staying up till 3 again tonight…

Sunflower July 10, 2020 (10:04 pm)

Cool, thanks Alice :)

JonnyComet July 11, 2020 (8:52 am)

The wife thought I was crazy for getting up at 3 AM and driving over to Alki. There was a small group of folks at Duwamish Head and the comet was faintly visible over Queen Anne. Looking forward to seeing it a whole lot earlier next week.

Marc July 11, 2020 (10:32 am)

Several social media groups have info, if you want to chase it.https://www.facebook.com/groups/AuroraBorealisWA/?ref=nf_target&fref=nf&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAHLxaSOx3JBXsU1SqrDMZCe675MQVx2d5U9NPSGU69P4NDJqGzVHNYp9YvMmKmKGWPB3kBX-DdTDC2h03U6_xh_U409YJ-IIBTt03gnl-liifXA1yqwL79FZEW4k7jWUWJsIm5qNpl7xgj3eLYo_eKu4PSgUMLCUJPTpU4mUQaKfgZasJyJdWLq2N51OuRp18nLYxfGDiNIGVKYk1cOJFpV2HS5m4XIaJWkLK01G4yZgahDkytKgfwBSZzsLNKSCFWbcELZHAMKCkU1nyNdatuXmfx7EhV1KL7e9F6ucC0aXqVpLalTHH8gAnLeVQ0uhvi_T44M5oDJkSYhCerv3a8&__tn__=C-R

James H. July 12, 2020 (4:21 am)

I observed comet Neowise last night (7/11/20) from north of Lincoln Ne. between 10 and about 10:30 pm just above the horizon through binoculars nearly due north, couldn’t make it out with naked eye. Quite exciting.