Well, we were grumpy before but it appears that Comet NEOWISE has finally graced our skies for those with clear enough views to the western horizon.
The comet is reportedly dimming and also competing against the Sun and the first quarter moon. Initial observations from Australia report that it’s not quite naked eye. Hopefully this will improve as it moves away from the Sun, but at the very least it should be observed in binoculars or captured with even a modest lens and camera.
As you can see from the pictures, it’s best observed in the direction of the sunset and off to the right, which should make it easy to find.
Check out these first shots from Queensland by Scott Van Der Linden and Kevin Parker and get excited! We’ve included a simulation of the night sky until the end of July to help you get your bearing with finding the comet.
Scott Van Der Linden – “C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) from Mackay in Qld, Australia, 6:48pm 23rd July. Got about an hour of viewing after sunset. Canon 7D, 13s F4, ISO1250.”
Kevin Parker – “My first sighting of Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) from Slade Point Queensland, 23rd July. 6 seconds and 10 x 6 seconds unguided with a 135mm lens at F2.5, Pentax K-5.”
