Comet Neowise crosses the ancient stone circle and the lone figure in Wiltshire, UK. … [+]
What has two tails, could it vanish at any moment and will not be seen by humans for another 6,800 years?
Comet NEOWISE is predicted to be visible for a few weeks yet, so you can take your time to photograph this visitor from the outer Solar System, right?
No, no, you can’t, you need photograph it on your next clear night. In addition, it is now visible earlier in the night, just after dark, making it increasingly easy to find and photograph.
Why? Comets are unpredictable. Comet NEOWISE, also known as Comet C / 2020 F3 (NEOWISE), is currently “blowing off” gas and dust, but that could stop at any time. Its trajectory means that it is reaching its closest point to Earth just as it moves towards the Big Dipper constellation, sweeping under the “Big Dipper”.
Now that’s It will be a great opportunity to take photos.
Comet NEOWISE is reaching its peak, and the next few days, possibly weeks, are the best and the last chance to see and photograph it.
So here is everything you need to know about photographing the NEOWISE comet, the most spectacular comet that has graced the night skies of the northern hemisphere for decades.
When to photograph the NEOWISE comet
Comet NEOWISE is rising above the horizon as seen from the Northern Hemisphere, making it increasingly easy to capture above buildings, mountains and trees.
Tonight, Saturday July 18, Comet NEOWISE will be visible near Talitha, one of the three pairs of stars that make up the feet of the Big Dipper, the Great Bear. On Thursday, July 23, the comet will be at its closest point to Earth (64 million miles), but since it is moving away from the Sun, it is probably about to dim a bit.
So go out and photograph it as soon as you can!
This Sky & Telescope graphic shows the appearance of Comet NEOWISE on the nights of July 14-23.
How to find Comet NEOWISE
You will need a good clear and low view of the north horizon. You will also need clear skies. Skies free of light pollution will also help, but are not critical. Check the exact position of the comet using the online planetarium software (set its location and type “Comet C / 2020 F3 (NEOWISE)” in the search box) or smartphone apps like Night Sky and SkySafari.
Comet NEOWISE is an object with the naked eye, but only just. Follow the provided charts and you will be looking on the right side of the night sky, but how do you really find the exact location of the comet to photograph it? The best way is to use a pair of binoculars (I always use 10×50, but any pair will do). They will allow you to get an instant close-up of anything you think may be the comet It has an obvious tail.
The NEOWISE comet does not move, at least not noticeably (only from night to night you will notice that its position changes). From the observer’s point of view on any night, it is the night sky that moves, carrying the comet with it.
As seen from northern latitudes (Canada, the United Kingdom, Northern Europe) above 42º N, it appears to hang in the sky all night and is currently visible from dusk to dawn. “Look northeast after sunset and northwest before sunrise, on a clear night in the UK you can see all night,” said astrophotographer Ollie Taylor, who has been tweeting some images of Comet NEOWISE. “That’s what you need to know to align your landscape shots, but latitude has a big impact.”
However, the NEOWISE kite is very small: if you stretch your arm, you can cover it with your little finger. Just like you can do with the Moon.
So exactly how big a lens do you need Actually you do not do it I need a big lens at all.
NEOWISE Kite over Crown Mines in Cornwall, captured by landscape and night landscape photographer. … [+]
What photography equipment do I need to photograph the NEOWISE comet?
A camera that has manual settings (so you can control the aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and focus) and interchangeable lenses is by far the best option, such as a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Then you’ll need a wide-angle lens for an astro-landscape shot featuring Comet NEOWISE behind an interesting close-up and / or a zoom lens to capture it up close for a more technical astrophotography image (you might even get its double tail) .
“I have been using a mixture of lenses and my little Celestron telescope,” says David Blanchflower, an amateur astrophysicist and astrophotographer from Newcastle Upon Tyne in England, who has posted some impressive images of Comet NEOWISE.
How to get good focus and sharpness on the NEOWISE kite
Regardless of the photography equipment you use (and more on that below), always prioritize images that are well focused and sharp.
Attention
“The crucial thing in all of this is getting a good focus,” said Blanchflower, who said focus makes a significant difference when the comet comes into view. “I have been using Capella to get the best possible focus.” Focusing on a star is one way to do it. Capella, the brightest star in the Auriga constellation, is the closest really bright star to Comet NEOWISE. You’ll find it on the right side of the comet, to the east. Using the live view on your camera, advance to Capella, focus on it well, and then return to the comet. Another technique is to use artificial light. “Focus on a light source about 30-40m away, using live view, possibly even autofocus, to make your focus nice and steady,” said Taylor. That could be a lamppost, a light on in a house some distance away. The third way is to use the autofocus while it is still light (a few hours before shooting) to precisely focus the camera on something in the distance, then turn off the autofocus. “If you don’t have a choice, you could set the lens to infinite focus,” adds Taylor. For that, look for the ∞ symbol on the dial.
Sharpness
This is about following the stars. Whether the stars will appear in your photo and for how long depends on the 500 rule; 500 divided by the focal length of the lens equals its exposure time to keep the stars sharp. “You have to keep your stars sharp in order to master the 500 rule, but not all DSLRs work with that rule, so experiment.”
Experimenting with camera setup is what Comet NEOWISE capture is all about.
How to photograph Comet NEOWISE with a wide angle lens
Although the comet is quite small, it is not necessary to get a close-up. After all, astronomical landscape photos with a beautiful natural backdrop are often much more appealing to the eye than a close-up technical photo.
“You can get great images of kite landscapes with a wide angle lens,” said Blanchflower. “Let’s say 18-55mm at different focal lengths, using fairly long exposures like 20 seconds and ISO 1600.”
“Shoot with a fast, premium lens if you can; this will work best as a wide aperture allows you to capture more light and a more detailed image,” said Welsh-based astrophotographer Mathew Browne. “A 50mm prime lens tends to be an inexpensive option that provides a nice focal length to capture the comet with exposure times of up to 10 seconds.”
Always think about composition – get something nice up close; Place the comet on a building, between two mountains, or whatever works in your landscape.
Comet Neowise passes over Tynemouth Priory in North Shields on the northeast coast. (Photo by Owen … [+]
How to photograph the NEOWISE comet with a zoom lens
If you have access to multiple lenses, you may be able to get a close-up of the comet’s tail. “For close-ups at 300mm, shorter exposures like 3.2 seconds at ISO 1600 will provide excellent detailed images,” said Blanchflower. “I have been taking some photos of kite landscapes using 75mm also using exposure times of up to about 6 seconds with ISO 800-3200, but it depends on local conditions.”
It really does. Its lens, its camera, the light conditions, the brightness of the comet, all these variables mean that you really should expect to experiment and not stick to the prescribed settings.
As a general rule, use a higher ISO and shorter exposure time the closer you get.
Get ready to experiment!
“The setting at dusk will be different from night, and you could also consider both tracking and stacking to reduce noise,” Taylor said. “It could also take a longer exposure for the foreground and merge the various images together.”
How to photograph the NEOWISE comet with a smartphone
It’s complicated. “You are not going to get a usable image; my advice is to borrow a suitable camera,” said Taylor. “But if you don’t have a choice, always use a tripod and an app that lets you control ISO and shutter speed – give yourself 20-30 seconds exposure and boost ISO, and don’t worry about star trails. ”
“Focus is the main problem, as this cannot be easily controlled manually,” said Browne. “Assuming the smartphone photographer has a tripod, they will want a” low light “mode and try to focus on the brightest spot of light, which is probably the Capella star.”
We are still talking about producing a very basic image in which the comet is almost detectable, although if you have one of the new flagship phones like the Huawei P40 Pro or the iPhone 11 Pro, try their clever “night modes”, which take five or more images and automatically stack them.
It’s worth a try … but don’t get your hopes up.
How to get an extra special photo of Comet NEOWISE
That depends on your own taste and your luck, but above all it is about composition and patience. For example, there have been several photos of Comet NEOWISE framed by mountains, with Northern Lights in the foreground, while others have featured noctilucent clouds, the comet reflected in a lake, or something even more creative like the comet that was “caught” by a It is in the foreground and a stunning reverse view.
They are done, so think of something that has not has done.
“If you want an astro-landscape shot rather than an astrophoto shot, you have to think outside the box,” said Taylor. There is no point in Stonehenge trying to get a photo that has already been taken and displayed around the world.
So get out there with your camera and capture the “comet of the decade” while you can, and enjoy your time with this special celestial visitor. That be it will be gone soon.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
.
