Comet: Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
Stars: 15 Uma, 18 Uma, 31 UMa, θ Uma, φ Uma, Talitha, Talitha Borealis
HR Stars: 3603, 3778, 3881, 3958
HD Stars: 81703, 82792
Constellation: Ursa Major
Planets: Jupiter
Located but not Observed & Logged:
Aquila, Boötes, Cassoipeia, Delphinus, Cygnus
Location: Site 15, Kejimkujik National Park
Date: 2020-07-19
Time: not recorded
Seeing: excellent
Transparency: Excellent
SQM: 21.60
Temperature: 18° C - 19° C
Equipment: Binoculars 10x42 IS
S&T Chart: 33
Because of a dental emergency, Dave and Christine could not join us. The original weather forecast included cloud and 30% chance of rain, but we went anyway. A beautifully calm lake and easy canoe to the site. Warm sunny afternoon that clouded over. Jerry set up his camera on the beach for a time lapse (hoping) and we sat by an evening fire. Around 10 PM, we were feeling a little sleepy. Before gong to bed, Jerry checked the images being taken - there were stars! So much for going to bed!
Went out to the beach and there she was in all her glory. Visible naked eye against the starry sky. It had moved slightly NW to the other side of the Great Bear's foot. Still quite bright and about 9° - 10° in length. The ion tail was easily seen.
We were able to watch the comet for about 45 minutes before the nucleus disappeared in clouds and trees at the point of Big Muise Island. During this time, I also located Jupiter - Callisto and Europa were on one side of the planet with Io and Ganymede on the other.
Skies were clear in the morning and the winds relatively calm, making for a wonderful paddle back to Jake's Landing before heading home.
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