Thursday, August 6, 2020

Comet Neowise

Did you get a chance to see it?? Comet Neowise has come and gone, and was visible in the Northern Hemisphere. I wrote this post over a week ago, but then went on vacation for a few days and never had a chance to publish it.  Anyway, early on, you had to get up around 4AM and catch it before sunrise in the NE sky. As it moved lower and lower on the horizon, you lost the ability to see it in the morning hours, and it became visible in the early evening in the NW sky. It's been steadily climbing higher in the horizon and becoming harder and harder to see.

I've seen some incredible photos of the comet. Here's one by photographer Jack Fusco, taken from the earthsky.org web site.
Many of us would see photos like this, posted on social media, and think "WOW, I gotta get out there and see this thing!", not realizing it doesn't look nearly this spectacular in real life. Taking long exposure photos allows the camera to "see" and capture the comet much better than the human eye. In fact, Neowise is classified as a "binocular" comet, meaning you need binoculars to view it. I read a lot of posts on FB by frustrated people going out to photograph it, binoculars in hand, and not being able to find it. So yes, difficult to see with the naked eye, especially if you are not in a dark sky area.

I decided I had to at least try to see it for myself, although I was late in my attempt and Neowise was past its prime. On 7/22/20, I wandered out into the middle of nowhere (Joshua Tree Wilderness Area) to an arch I like to photograph. My "Big Plan" was to get a dramatic shot of the comet swooping over the arch. I could see it in my minds eye, but I knew it was a long shot. My batting average for "Big Plan" night photography is pretty poor, but you gotta keep swinging, right? Would I even be able to find the arch? And if so, I would have to get just the right angle to get both the arch and the comet in the viewfinder.

The crescent moon was keeping me company on this particular night, slowly setting in the NW, just a little west of where I was expecting to see the comet.


I positioned myself behind the arch so that I would be shooting in the NW direction. Reports said the comet should be visible shortly after sunset, just below the big dipper. The photo above was taken a little after sunset. No comet visible. No stars visible. No big dipper visible. Guess I'll sit down and wait for the sky to darken.

With nothing better to do, I sat under the arch, contemplated nature, and took a couple photos. World affairs slowly vanished from my mind.

As the sky slowly darkened, I used a couple LED lights to light up the arch. Still no Neo, but it was a perfect desert night. Warm, not a cloud in the sky, no wind, and excellent visibility. And then something really weird happened... Along Highway 62, just after dark, what looked like a police cruiser (or perhaps an ambulance?) was heading east with siren blaring and lights flashing. Very strange because it wasn't going fast at all, and there is nothing in this area... no towns, no people, and only a rare stray car on the highway. No reason to be using your siren. The closest town is 40 miles in the opposite direction (29 Palms). Just open desert for many miles in the direction this vehicle was traveling. Then it crossed my mind, may be he was looking for me! Perhaps a motorist saw my lights out in the middle of the desert and assumed I was lost and/or crazy and in need of help. Nope, he kept driving. And if that's not weird enough...
A few minutes later, along comes a huge convoy of vehicles, all lit up in different colors. They are moving something REALLY BIG. Sorry about the over-exposed arch, but I only had time to turn my camera on the tripod and click. On a highway where you rarely see anyone, this looked like a circus! I was prepared to see UFOs flying overhead at any moment. What it was and where they were taking it is another on my long list of desert mysteries. Oh, and if you look really closely in the top left of the photo, you might just be able to make out Comet Neowise! It looks like a star with a faint tail.

As I switch from wide angle to short telephoto lens to better capture the comet, it becomes obvious that Neo is too high in the sky for me to get both the comet and the arch in the same shot. Dang!! I was afraid that might happen. But I was able to get a nice shot of the setting crescent moon over the arch.

Same shot in b&w. It feels stark and cold to me. Almost like a different planet. I took two photos (without moving my camera off the tripod): One focused on the arch and the second focused on the moon, and then combined them. The goal being to get everything in sharp focus.

And I was able to get a couple shots of Neowise traveling through space on a beautiful desert night. What a fun opportunity!

I had been looking to the NW sky all night. After taking these shots, I turned around to view the night sky to the south and it took my breath away. The Milky Way was fully visible, and arching over the top of Scorpius Arch! I packed up my gear and set up on the opposite side of the arch to capture the view looking south.

Didn't get a chance to see Neo? Well, there's good news and bad news. Good news first: It will be visible again in the future. Now the bad news: Not until the year 8,786. Bummer!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for stopping by!
Stay safe. Stay healthy.

40 comments:

  1. Hello,
    Your night sky images are just stunning. I love the arches, the moon and the comet.
    The last photo of the arch and milky way is my favorite. Take care! Enjoy your day!

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  2. Hah, well I would say that you swung and hit a grand slam. What a great collection of photos for one night.

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  3. I've only seen the comet thru your photos - beautiful night sky captures

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  4. Wondered where you were last week but you have really made up for it this week. Superb night photos. Must admit I have played a little doing that during Lockdown. Need to take my gear to Wales next as the light is better there, no light pollution.
    Take Care

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  5. I did see it, and the same crescent moon you saw, what a glorious sight...it looked like a hole poked through space letting light in from other world. Awesome photos you got!

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  6. What wondrous pictures! No favorites here, they were all so enjoyable. I never did see the comet. Hills and light pollution, and me wanting to be in bed at an early hour.

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  7. What a great place to view the comet and the Milky Way!

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  8. ...thanks for taking me along to your cosmic wonderland!

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  9. You got it! Wonderful. Perhaps not with the backdrop you intended, but you got it. Congrats.

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  10. Awesome photos. I especially love the last one :)

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  11. What a wonderful experience! Neowise was so well photographed by many who went without sleep for many weeks. Your desert setting unde rthe arch was beautiful. I wonder what that convoy was? Maybe the government was moving a rocket....or a UFO? (Haha!)
    The first time I saw the Milky Way in a dark sky I was so amazed. I lived all my life in a bright bog city--NYC--so seeing even stars was hard. When we moved to Colorado I saw so many stars and on a camping trip near the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park I finally saw the Milky Way.

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  12. Great shots as always, but for some reason even though the others are beautiful, especially the night shots, I loved the one UNDER the arch. I did not know of the comet, but the shots are amazing. I'll try to catch the next one. :-O.
    Thanks for the entertainment, good stuff.
    Sherry, jack & JJ, On the Road

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  13. I´ve been looking for that comet but haven´t be able to see it. I live in the city so too much light pollution around. Very nice captures and not the easiest thing to photograph. Kudos!

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  14. A fun post with a great payoff! I suspect the movie biz missed a great cinematographer when you were born too late...

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  15. I probably would have fallen asleep when the critical moment arrived. :-)

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  16. Naw, I missed it. Not such good viewing in the city, but I said 'wow' all through your photos. And that's a heck of a long time to wait for the next 'show'.

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  17. I suppose the night is the best time for a convoy to be moving something REALLY BIG. I wonder what it was. If you find out, please let us know.
    Meanwhile, I missed seeing the comet, mainly because I didn't want to get up in the middle of the night, but I really liked all of your pictures. Too many lights around here to view the sky with any satisfaction.

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  18. I tried several times to get a look at the comet but no luck. I'm so happy to see these photos. Your determination paid off. Now if only we can figure out what strange thing was happening on the highway that night. I've been watching a few of the very old Twilight Zone TV shows lately and it sounds like something I'd see on one of those shows.

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  19. I have watched for comets for years, and have never seen a single one--not one! You are blessed!

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  20. Wow, those photos are amazing!

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  21. Stunning shots, simply amazing!

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  22. you really got skillful with night photography. now, I am so curious about the highway happenings.

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  23. Amazing things happen late at night ! Wonderful!

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  24. Fantastic sir! Your enthusiasm is impeccable.

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  25. Wow! Your shots are awesome, Peter! Not only the comet but also the moon and rock. Well done. I like the last one in particular with all the Milky Way...

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  26. Wow! Spectacular shots in today's post. Thank you for sharing these photos for us who never get a chance to see the beauty of the desert in person.

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  27. Oh my gosh SPP, I would have been thrilled if I had captured any or all of these images. I didn't see the comet but have seen lots of pics. Your last shot here is superb 💜

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  28. Wow! What an experience for you and for us through your magnificent photos ~ awesome sky and desert photos ^_^

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  29. oh wow awesome shots! I didn't know about it but usually we are asleep at that hour.

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  30. Absolutely Breath Taking Photos - Jack's Was Just Ok - I Am So Thankfully I Discovered Your Blog - Never Falls To Inspire And Opens My Little Eyes - What A World And Thank You For Capturing It So Well - Your Creative Lighting On The Arch Was Brilliant - That Emerald Green, WoW - Top Shelf Brother - Thanx For Being Out There And Enjoy Your Week Ahead

    Cheers

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  31. Simply fabulous images even if you didn't get the one you wanted! Wow!

    So did you ever find out what the convoy was about?

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    1. Thanks, Betty. No, I never did. I guess it will remain a mystery!

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  32. Wonderful pictures. We have very dark skies here, but our house is also surrounded by trees, so the comet was always behind a tree! Our neighbor had a much better angle and got some good photos, so I will have to go with that! What a mystery about the police car and the convoy! Conspiracy theorists could have a field day with that!

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  33. Well, that *is* rather too a long time to wait .... but we have your wonderful pictures of Neowise to console us. I’m so glad you got out there to see it and ThankYou for sharing. ... the photo from the other side and the arch pictures are so wonderful too and so is the fact that sitting there waiting took your mind off world affairs! That in itself is worth a whole lot these days..... speaking of, I do wonder what was going on out there between you and 29 Palms.

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  34. You are a great and patient photographer! Love this post. Those night photos with the arch are just spectacular, and the last one of the Milky Way - wow!

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