As our Observatory Director, Dan Marcus likes to say “It’s all about having fun”. For about the last week, BAA members have been doing just that, having fun with a bright comet. It’s been way too long since northern hemisphere stargazers have had a decent comet as most of the fun of late has been in the southern hemisphere. After several promising comets fizzled out earlier this year, Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) is putting on a show in the predawn sky.

Starting around July 2nd reports started to show up on online stargazing sites, that the Comet was visible and bright. The comet could be found very low in the northeastern horizon immediately prior to sunrise (click here to find and observe the comet). Several members started to get up very early (well before sunrise) to observe and capture the comet, sharing their plans and results on the Member Forum. Members really love to share their experiences with other members and the public. Members have taken to various platforms (social Media, BAA Member Forum, Zoom etc…) to share their experience virtually with their fellow members, friends, and families.

Here are just a few of the images captured this week by our members (click on the images to view a larger version of the image).

 

Image of Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) captured by Patrick Crants on July 7, 2020. Pat captured this image through his Sky-Watcher 120 ED telescope and ZWO ASI170 camera.

 

Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) photobombed by the ISS. Image captured by Patrick Crants on July 7, 2020 with Canon 1DX and a Tamron 150-600 mm lens (@ 150 mm).

 

Image of Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) captured by Phil Newman on July 8th. Phil used a Canon T4i and his Canon 70-200 F/2.8 lens @ 200 mm.

 

Image of Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) captured by Patrick Crants on July 1oth. Patrick used his Canon 1DX and Tamron 150-600 mm lens @ 150 mm.

 

Image of comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) captured by Dan Marcus on July 12th. Dan used a Canon T3i and 200 mm lens.on July 10th

 

Image of comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) captured by Dan Marcus on July 12th. Dan used a Canon T3i with 55 mm lens.

 

Image of comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) captured by Ernie Jacobs on July 12th. Ernie used a Canon T6i and Canon 50 mm f/1.8 lens.

Clear Skies!