Photographing Comet NEOWISE

Cropped 24m - 10 seconds f/2.8 ISO 1000 (about 70 minutes after sunset outside of Seattle, WA)

Last night I drove north from Seattle to a location I knew would provide a good clear view to the north. About an hour after sunset it was dark enough in the sky to see the comet. I first spotted it on the back of the camera and then I was able to see it with my eyes (faintly) and with a pair of 8 x 42 binoculars that I brought. As it got darker it became easier to see. The less light pollution the easier it will be to see.

Helpful Advice:

When: About an hour after sunset it shows up and remains in the sky for much of the night. Starting July 17th conditions improve for even those living further south in the N. Hemisphere.

Where: You can find the comet halfway between the big dipper and the North star - so you are looking mostly north and a little west. An App like Star Walk 2 can help but is not necessary. You will have the best success if there is not a lot of light pollution in the direction you are viewing/photographing.

How: A focal length anywhere from 24 to 400 can work but I found that photos around 24 to 80 provided a nice view of the comet while still providing some interesting landscape too. Shutter speed of 3-10 seconds and an ISO anywhere from 200-1000 depending on how dark your sky is/how long after sunset.

85mm 5 seconds f/1.8 ISO 640 (about 90 minutes after sunset)