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>

3 OF 3

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.

An eclipsed star and falling stars in the skies Wednesday

By Greg Redfern
August 11, 2026 | 9:04 AM

Wednesday will be quite the astronomical doubleheader as during the day the sun undergoes a total solar eclipse that will occur along a narrow track for viewers in Greenland, Iceland, Northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and part of Portugal. Thousands of eclipse-chasers have flocked to cruise ships and land tours for prime viewing areas. At night and into dawn, the Perseid meteor shower will be at its peak and under ideal viewing conditions — barring any weather or wildfire smoke.

Related Stories

NASA opens its first wind tunnel in 40 years at Langley Research Center

Full buck moon may bring color as it rises Wednesday night

Eyes to the Skies: Creating a custom star chart and viewing the Milky Way in July

What's the significance of Asteroid Day

Check out strawberry moon — the first full moon of summer 2026