OK rossie, let's see what we can do to help.
First - a group of 30 or more people, some with binoculars, are sure to spot the comet. Many eyes etc..... And you can be sure that it's the spouse or family member, dragged along unwillingly, who spots it first and is the most excited person of the night!
However, when first spotted, it will look much like the attached photo - a fuzzy patch of light - perhaps something trailing behind it. While the sky is darkening, it can be easily missed - and this photo is from a couple of nights ago - it is not as bright now.
So, how to get a group of 30 people? Why don't you head down to the Bayside - look at this thread about Bighton Beach - seems you have lots of eyes to help here (get there early for parking??).
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=16759
Second - whether you get together with others or not, let's try to point you in the right direction.
The comet is sitting there in the sky, moving pretty well the same as the movement of the Sun and stars as the earth rotates. So it gradually will drop to the west and set as the Sun did and as Venus did before it. I'm not right on top of the details, but from the time you first see it - probably around 9:15-9:30pm - until the nucleus sets is around an hour. The last bit of the tail you can see sets in another hour?
Now, get in position early with a clear view to where the sun is setting and a good bit to the south (left) of that. That's one reason I suggest the eastern side of the bay - the horizon is clear. You need to get your direction right.
You want to be able to observe where the sun sets and it will set around 8:39pm tonight. Without looking straight at the sun (BLINDNESS!), observe its direction - you will see it is moving towards our left as it sets and continues to move left below the horizon. This is useful because the comet's tail points away from the sun so if you have an idea where the sun is (below the horizon) you are pretty sure when you see something that you think has a tail if the tail is pointing away from the sun.
Now you still won't see the comet yet, probably not until around 9:30 with your eyes, perhaps 9:15 with a set of binoculars of around 10 magnification.
Let's look for Venus. So, to the right of where the Sun set, and up in the sky a fist or two (hold your fist out at arm's length to measure), a bright "star" will come into view as it darkens - probably quite clear by 9pm. That's Venus. Now go about three times to the left of the sunset, as Venus is to the right of the sunset, and about three times higher in the sky than Venus is high in the sky and you are in the right region. So we've gone further left (towards South) and up in the sky. Just patiently scan that part of the sky. Relax, it will appear by 9:30, 9:45 at the latest. In the meantime, note what Venus is doing, the direction it appears to be moving relative to the horizon, because the comet is going to move in the same direction, down and to the left. This helps you be sure you've picked the right spot to sit/stand. No good if the comet moves left behind a tree or building while it is setting!
To photograph it, you'll need a camera on something steady, say a tripod or a cushion on a chair/car/fence, and be able to open the shutter for up to 10 seconds (often a "B" setting). Turn the flash off.
[Ignore the moon, if you wish. It's now fairly high up in the sky to the north (right) of the sunset. (But have a look if someone offers you a look through binoculars). The moonlight is making the sky brighter and reducing the amount of the tail you can see.]
Good luck! Give us a report!
OK, for those you you out there with more accurate directions, please post - I'm guessing a little, but I'm sure what I have suggested gets well into the target area.
Late viewer
