Figure 1 – Comet Neowise over the Danvers River in Salem, MA, July 20, 2020. (c) DE Wolf 2020.

On July 20, 1963, a very young David was with his father and telescope viewing a solar eclipse in Sullivan County, NY. My passion was ascending to the zenith of science geekdom. In those days, I would have loved to photograph what I saw – especially the silent, cool, luminescent sights in the late evening or early morning twilight skies. It was time to dream. So last night binoculars, telephoto, and tripod in hand I went out to attempt to find comet Neowise as it approached to kiss the Earth.

There were the expected problems. First, was finding it against the background light. Ultimately I could see it both in my binoculars and with the unaided naked eye. Second, was getting my tripod’s camera easy mount to lock in the dark. Third, sighting my camera on it was another story, since I couldn’t see it in the viewfinder. And fourth, there was the dreaded “M” or manual mode. I had preset everything, but my camera refused to shoot, and I finally realized that I needed to turn off the autofocus. So voila friends, here is Neowise, hovering gloriously over the Danvers or North River in Salem, MA. 

Despite the light pollution, this comet evokes all the magic and marvel of comets. There is the bright core and the nebulous and spectacular tail. And there is the sense of wonder and predilection. The David of 2020 thanks this beautiful comet on behalf of himself as well as the boy of 1963.

Canon T2i with EF70-200mm f/4L USM lens at 70 mm, ISO 800, Manual Mode 15 sec at f/4.0.