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It’s here, the first bright comet of 2020.
NEOWISE is expected to remain visible to the naked eye through July.
Those in the northern hemisphere can catch this comet in the north sky for most of the month at early dawn and dusk... it is easiest to catch a glimpse in the early morning and evening, when there is just enough sunlight to see them against the night sky, but not so much they are washed out.
A new comet is now visible with the naked eye
Here’s a view from Mauna Kea:
Comet NEOWISE Rises in the Sky of Maunakea
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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The comet will soon be visible in the evening. From NASA:
Over the coming days it will become increasingly visible shortly after sunset in the northwest sky.
The object is best viewed using binoculars or a small telescope, but if conditions are optimal, you may be able to see it with the naked eye. If you’re looking in the sky without the help of observation tools, Comet NEOWISE will likely look like a fuzzy star with a bit of a tail. Using binoculars will give viewers a good look at the fuzzy comet and its long, streaky tail.
Here’s what to do:
- Find a spot away from city lights with an unobstructed view of the sky
- Just after sunset, look below the Big Dipper in the northwest sky
Each night, the comet will continue rising increasingly higher above the northwestern horizon.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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Now if the clouds would cooperate.
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Early this morning the clouds parted and I saw what looked like a super-bright but fuzzy star below the moon to the northeast. Realized it was probably just Venus
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I want to be able to drive up Mauna Kea and see the damn comet.
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(07-18-2020, 11:00 AM)Kelena Wrote: I want to be able to drive up Mauna Kea and see the damn comet.
Isn't the access road open now?
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I want to be able to drive up Mauna Kea and see the damn comet.
I believe Mauna Kea Access Road is open, but the comet is also visible from Mauna Loa. Andrew Cooper has been sharing some great photos on his website A Darker View. Here’s a link to one recent post, but be sure to visit the main page for more:
A Darker View
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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The MK access road is open. I don't know how strict the rangers are about letting non-4WD vehicles on the road above the VIS but if you go up in the middle of the night then no-one's on duty. Given the comet is in the north, I would suggest the Mauna Loa road is a much better option as Maun Kea will just get in the way unless you drive to the summit, and your eyes don't work so well at that altitude.
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Beautiful photos and time lapse video of NEOWISE comet by Josh Walawender, staff astronomer at the W.M. Keck Observatory.
Taken from Mauna Loa.
Twilight Landscapes Blog
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I did not know you can drive up to Mauna Loa.....
