Comet: Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
HR Stars: HR 3603
Constellation: Altair, Delphinus, Ursa Major
Planet: Jupiter
Location: Evangeline Beach
Date: 2020-07-18
Time: 8:30 PM - 11:05 PM ADT
Seeing: Excellent
Transparency: Good
Equipment: Binoculars 10x42 IS
S&T Chart: 33
| Time | SQM | Temp |
| 10:30 | 20.5 | 17° C |
| 10:55 | 21.16 | 16° C |
We were at at Roy & Gertrude Bishop's cottage at their invitation to all who wanted to join them. COVID-spacing between observers was a requirement. Joining us were Paul Heath, Nina, Dave Lane, Mary Lou Whitehorne and 3 others. Warm night that was cloudy when we arrived at 8:30 PM but cleared beautifully for an amazing view.
While looking at the comet, we also got to view other constellations and stars. Delphinus was easily found below Altair. At 10:45 PM, I located Jupiter with the binoculars. Callisto, Io and Europa were on one side (Europa close in proximity the planet) and Ganymede on the opposite side.
The comet's nucleus was inside a triangle formed by Talitha and Talitha Borealis in one of Uma's feet and HR 3603. It was at least 10° in length, stretching and filling the space between θ Uma and 18 Uma. Large Object!! We could make out the ion tail and the space between it and the debris tail. No problem locating it naked eye! We left the beach at 11:05 PM, regretfully. We gave our thanks to Roy and Gertrude for the invitation and to Gertrude for the cheese-jam cookies.
My diagram (bottom right) is squished top to bottom but the star locations/names provide markers for a true star map (bottom left) and better perspective.
|
|