Is there such a thing as too many comet photos?
According to social media, the answer is a resounding no.
From far and wide, people from across British Columbia and the country continue to share snaps of the rare and dazzling NEOWISE. Even as its brilliant visibility dwindles, eager astrophotographers and skywatchers alike remain captivated by the illusive astral object.
Sadly, however, this celestial visitor will swing completely out of earth's skies before the month is up. However, astronomers say there's still time to view this stellar celestial display before it disappears. And if you're thinking you might have another opportunity to gaze up at NEOWISE in the future, think again - this comet won't be making an orbit around earth for thousands of years to come - welp.
The comet drought before NEOWISE was substantial, too. So it isn't likely that you'll be spotting another comet of this calibre anytime in the near future. That said, you might need to break out a telescope or binoculars to view the comet this late in the stargazing game.
Need help finding it? Like everything nowadays, there's an app for that (Find Comet NEOWISE). Alternatively, you can follow NASA's instructions HERE.
For now, enjoy some of the breathtaking shots locals have captured of this rare comet in B.C. skies.
Comet #NEOWISE July 26th - 86 stacked images with #Nikonz7 and 200mm f/2.8 on tripod - green color arises from cyanide/cyanogen (CN: a carbon-nitrogen bond) and diatomic carbon - blue tail from CO+ ion, which streams directly away from the Sun. Location- Lake Harrison BC, Canada pic.twitter.com/avOfTVFO7P
— Dr. Christian Sasse (@Sassephoto) July 27, 2020
Neowise Comet ☄️ at the Play Ground of Gods.
— Tourism Burnaby (@Tourism_Burnaby) July 28, 2020
Were you able to spot Neowise from Burnaby?
📍 Burnaby Mountain
📸 kaskanaphoto (In)#Burnaby365 pic.twitter.com/xhetrTwYAm
COMET DRONE: NEOWISE Over Vancouver, B.C. Infrared Video #synth #drone #NEOWISE pic.twitter.com/N12ya6aZGs
— Jon Kelly (@Joninnervoice) July 28, 2020
My last image for Comet Neowise. It has been a spectacular month to view the comet since Hale-Bopp. I won’t be here the next time you come back. Good-Bye Comet Neowise! 💫
— BeanstalkBox Photography (@BEANSTALKbox) July 27, 2020
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.#cometNEOWISE #Vancouver #vancity #NorthVan #westvan #NEOWISE #Canada #comet #vanlife pic.twitter.com/UfrQNKd2jK
Shots from Furry Creek BC from Sat and Sun night.
— Michel Gélinas (@GarconGlacon) July 27, 2020
Dimming #cometNEOWISE was still faintly visible to the unaided eye towards the northwest, below the Big Dipper. The close-up shot is a stack of 51 frames...my best capture of the #comet tail to date. #BCWX #BCstorm #NEOWISE pic.twitter.com/ICBBKYLfE8
#Neowise is barely visible to the naked eye from the city at this point but we still went out to get a few more shots. Shot from Terra Nova Rural Park in #RichmondBC pic.twitter.com/g1Iis438Vf
— Kenny Louie (@kennymatic) July 27, 2020
Spanish Banks / Neowise pic.twitter.com/GQ3FYLrTIB
— Andrew Holmes (@And_Holmes) July 26, 2020
#LegendsCreekside #Whistler #BC #Canada #Stars #Satellite no #Neowise
— jestferlaffs (@jestferlaffs) July 26, 2020
I remember the night sky from when I was a kid, good to see that it's still there. pic.twitter.com/VkGT0z6JVo
Last week, a local astrophotographer shared a remarkable image of a rare comet and Aurora Borealis at Harrison Lake.
Liron Gertsman, a 19-year-old astrophotographer and astronomy enthusiast, tells Vancouver Is Awesome in an email that he's never had the opportunity to shoot a comet before. The last comet visible from the northern hemisphere that was comparable to Neowise was Comet Hale–Bopp in 1997, which was before he was born.
The previous night, Gerstman also photographed the comet from over English Bay, resulting in a very "Vancouver" landscape image featuring the comet. Read more and see the photos HERE.