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I was a fourteen year-old astronomy geek for Halley's Comet in 1986. What a complete dud it turned out to be. This comet is amazing. Get out and see it while y

by js2 6y ago

I was a fourteen year-old astronomy geek for Halley's Comet in 1986. What a complete dud it turned out to be. This comet is amazing. Get out and see it while you can! Here’s a picture of it this morning in Raleigh, NC (not my picture): https://i.imgur.com/qKXjHnU.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qKXjHnU.jpg https://www.reddit.com/r/raleigh/comments/hpsv6f/comet_c2020_f3_neowise_bracketed_by_the_raleigh/ https://www.reddit.com/r/raleigh/comments/hpsv6f/comet_c2020...

jjav 6y ago
I remember enjoying watching Halley's Comet as a young astronomy geek kid, seeing it with just my eyes (didn't own a camera or telescope). I can't see neowise with my eyes at all. I've taken really nice photos of it, but that's with a 500mm lens on an equatorial mount and long exposures. So IIRC Halley was a much better show.
blinding-streak 6y ago
Good intentions here but I think this is a little misleading. That photo almost certainly is a long exposure shot that enhances the visibility of the comet. That same poster also posted this image, which is what it looks like to the naked eye (i.e. it barely registers): https://i.imgur.com/2Il4yJN.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2Il4yJN.jpg I too remember Halley's comet viewing -- my dad was super excited to see it. It was underwhelming. Comet Hale–Bopp though, in 1995, was awesome.
- flak48 6y ago
  That might have to do something with the massive amount of light pollution in the foreground?
- echelon 6y ago
  Comet Hale-Bopp was one of the most magical sights I've ever witnessed. You could see the long, majestic trail with your own eyes, entirely unaided. No binoculars, telescope, or long exposure needed. It was huge, and it stayed with us for awhile. Hale-Bopp felt like a celestial dragon or an ethereal god that came to visit. I spent hours outside looking at it. It was mesmerizing. NEOWISE is pitiful in contrast. I'm hoping I get to see another comet like Hale-Bopp in my lifetime. It made me understand why ancient societies ascribe such meaning to astronomical events. The other remarkable space event in my life was the total solar eclipse a few years back. The entire world changed for a moment, and the corona was like a glittering chromatic jewel suspended in the sky. I will travel wherever the next total solar eclipse takes me - they're not to be missed.
- tigershark 6y ago
  There was also comet Hyakutake in 1996, a bit brighter than hale-bopp but with a bit shorter tail. Another nice characteristic of hale bopp was also the double tail, both visible with naked eye, and the second one was blue in long exposure photos.
- Galaxeblaffer 6y ago
  This is not misleading at all. It's clearly visible with tail and all directly over Copenhagen these nights at around 24-04. Looks pretty much like this http://imgur.com/gallery/brXGgX1 http://imgur.com/gallery/brXGgX1

by js2 6y ago

jjav 6y ago

I remember enjoying watching Halley's Comet as a young astronomy geek kid, seeing it with just my eyes (didn't own a camera or telescope). I can't see neowise with my eyes at all. I've taken really nice photos of it, but that's with a 500mm lens on an equatorial mount and long exposures. So IIRC Halley was a much better show.

blinding-streak 6y ago

Good intentions here but I think this is a little misleading. That photo almost certainly is a long exposure shot that enhances the visibility of the comet. That same poster also posted this image, which is what it looks like to the naked eye (i.e. it barely registers): https://i.imgur.com/2Il4yJN.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2Il4yJN.jpg I too remember Halley's comet viewing -- my dad was super excited to see it. It was underwhelming. Comet Hale–Bopp though, in 1995, was awesome.

flak48 6y ago
That might have to do something with the massive amount of light pollution in the foreground?
echelon 6y ago
Comet Hale-Bopp was one of the most magical sights I've ever witnessed. You could see the long, majestic trail with your own eyes, entirely unaided. No binoculars, telescope, or long exposure needed. It was huge, and it stayed with us for awhile. Hale-Bopp felt like a celestial dragon or an ethereal god that came to visit. I spent hours outside looking at it. It was mesmerizing. NEOWISE is pitiful in contrast. I'm hoping I get to see another comet like Hale-Bopp in my lifetime. It made me understand why ancient societies ascribe such meaning to astronomical events. The other remarkable space event in my life was the total solar eclipse a few years back. The entire world changed for a moment, and the corona was like a glittering chromatic jewel suspended in the sky. I will travel wherever the next total solar eclipse takes me - they're not to be missed.
tigershark 6y ago
There was also comet Hyakutake in 1996, a bit brighter than hale-bopp but with a bit shorter tail. Another nice characteristic of hale bopp was also the double tail, both visible with naked eye, and the second one was blue in long exposure photos.
Galaxeblaffer 6y ago
This is not misleading at all. It's clearly visible with tail and all directly over Copenhagen these nights at around 24-04. Looks pretty much like this http://imgur.com/gallery/brXGgX1 http://imgur.com/gallery/brXGgX1