PHOTOS: Passing comet is visible at Shenandoah

By Greg Redfern
July 8, 2020 | 4:46 PM

WTOP's Space Guy Greg Redfern took these shots of Comet NEOWISE from Shenandoah National Park in July 2020. (WTOP/Greg Redfern) — <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-and-meteors/comets/overview/?page=0&per_page=40&order=name+asc&search=&condition_1=102%3Aparent_id&condition_2=comet%3Abody_type%3Ailike" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Comets are left over debris from the formation of the solar system</a>, and they are on the prowl at any given time. It has been 23 years since the northern hemisphere had a <em>great</em> comet — one that is bright and spectacular to see. The last was <a href="https://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/comet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Comet Hale-Bopp,</a> which was visible for 18 months beginning in 1997. <a href="https://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/comet/hyakutake/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Another spectacular comet</a> had just graced Earth’s skies the year before and was the last comet I had imaged at Shenandoah — using color slide film no less! It had a very long tail, and I watched it move across the star-studded sky as minutes passed. As I did so, I could understand why <a href="https://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/comet/news59.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">humans in the past have associated comets with evil and doom</a>. Even during Hale-Bopp, a cult group in San Diego committed mass suicide in order to join the “mother ship” they thought was flying inside the tail of the comet.

WTOP's Space Guy Greg Redfern took these shots of Comet NEOWISE from Shenandoah National Park on July 2020. (WTOP/Greg Redfern) — The comet will enter the skies at dusk mid-month and should <a href="https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/anticipation-grows-for-comets-neowise-and-lemmon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">become far easier to see.</a> Though, only time will tell as comets are just like cats — who knows what they will do. If you want to try to photograph the comet, you will need to take an exposure of several seconds, which means bracing yourself against something or using a tripod. Take several pictures and adjust camera settings as you go until you have an image that fits the bill. <em>Follow <a href="http://www.whatsupthespaceplace.com">my daily blog</a> to keep up with the latest news in astronomy and space exploration. You can email me at <a href="mailto:skyguyiva@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skyguyinva@gmail.com</a>.</em>

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After the clouds finally cleared Wednesday morning and I made it up to an elevation of 3,595 feet at Shenandoah National Park’s Thorofare Mountain Overlook, I could see and photograph Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3). And it was definitely worth the wait.

During this time of year, I’m usually giving astronomy and space presentations at Big Meadow Lodge and Skyland at the national park, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to cancel. The park’s annual Night Sky Festival is also canceled.

But Shenandoah National Park is open, so it was simply wonderful to drive up and spend time sitting on billion-year-old granite under the stars once again. What a time to be back, with Comet NEOWISE in view.

Holiday gifts for stargazers

By Greg Redfern
December 18, 2014 | 10:21 AM

Ho, ho, ho! Happy holidays! Welcome to the “What’s Up? The Space Place” holiday edition to get some great gift ideas for that stargazer of yours. OK, you have six shopping days left, but don’t panic. Internet shopping and quick shipping will get that star-minded someone, including possibly yourself, their gift in plenty of time.

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Holiday gifts for stargazers