I will not be hosting public comet viewings at this time, but I am happy to answer your questions on Twitter. Send me & @westseattleblog photos and I can help you figure out where to look. I& #39;ll need your approximate location, time, and at least one star in the photo.
This will be a test of my ability to remote-problem-solve for stargazing. :)
Bring binoculars for **after** sunset.
I highly recommend a stargazing app on your phone like Stellarium or Sky Safari. At minimum a maps app or good compass so you know which direction you& #39;re facing.
Safety:
1. Do not use binoculars while the Sun is in the sky or just before sunrise.
2. Wear a mask.
3. Stay 6 or more feet away from people who don& #39;t live with you.
(Note on 2 and 3: we don& #39;t know enough for certain about coronavirus yet, so respect the health of others).
...
...
4. Be aware of your surroundings & if you will make other people nervous as you& #39;re standing in the dark. Say hello! Point out the comet!
5. If you see someone at night standing in the dark, don& #39;t call the police. Say hello first. If they need help, try calling 211.
#Neowise (C/2020 F3 NEOWISE) is still flirting with 2nd magnitude (brightness), so if you can see the number of stars in the "Magnitude 2” chart here http://alicesastroinfo.com/2020/07/comet-neowise-c-2020-f3-from-west-seattle/">https://alicesastroinfo.com/2020/07/c... , then it should be visible, if it hasn& #39;t set.
@westseattleblog
(mag ref: https://cobs.si/recent ">https://cobs.si/recent&qu... )
n.b. "NEOWISE" may either not be listed in your stargazing app, or may be a *different* NEOWISE. Check the published maps from Sky & Tell, @kevinfreitas or myself, and use the app to find the constellations on the map.
@westseattleblog
For tonight "HIP 37023” is the name of a star in the right place, @westseattleblog @kevinfreitas
It is 35 minutes after official sunset, Seattle, and I still see no stars. FYI for magnitude & timing calculations.
50 min after sunset, and my eyes are pretending to see stars occasionally.
I can now see the handle of the big dipper
I can see the whole Big Dipper, but nothing closer to the horizon 1 hr 5 min after official sunset
I might see Mirphak
Denebola 10:18pm
We& #39;ve got it. "Above the humming bird" cloud. High up. Tail up and to the right.
10:21 pm
Easily visible as of 11:19pm, far enough above haze & horizon. I& #39;m home to decontaminate and get the kids *some* sleep tonight. Processing images, expect pics from me and Jason in a bit.
@westseattleblog
@WestSeaWx @kevinfreitas @SouthSeattleCC
The reason for all the time stamps on this thread is to show me to create a decent prediction of what time it will become visible tomorrow and next week, based on predicted magnitudes and the known magnitudes of visible stars.
@westseattleblog
If anyone stays out until you lose it in the haze _from West Seattle_, I& #39;d love to know what time you lose it. @kevinfreitas @westseattleblog @SouthSeattleCC @SeattleAstro @SeattleAstroSoc
You can follow @AlicesAstroInfo.
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