Quote:
Originally Posted by astronobob
It can be tricky Leo, I just checked Lithgow on Maps, surrounded by Mountains
I do see a hell-of-a-Spot to hunt Comets,, Hassen Walls Lookout is perfect, all you need is some good clear skies,,,binoculars wont see much of the tail though the comets coma will appear as a fuzzy blurry little star .
Camera with a 30-50mm lens should expose it, then zero in with a longer lens..
 |
Thanks Bob!
Yes, I considered driving up to the lookout, it's less than a 10 minute drive but I had some personal issues and decided against it on the day. I am planning on doing exactly that when the moon dims a little.
The binoculars were only to try and locate the comet, then another tripod with a camera ready. I have the D810 and an 80-200 f2.8 ED lens which should hopefully be fine to centre it (if only live view worked in the dark). I may still get to it and I know I'll be annoyed with myself if I don't. My biggest issue is focus, though I can get that sorted on the moon prior and mark the lens (maybe, I don't like doing that). My eyes aren't great to check images on the small review screen, I usually run in from outside with memory card in hand and check focus on my 27" computer monitor.
My yard is surrounded by big trees in neighbouring yards and a mountain directly west of me (and just about every other direction), everything disappears behind the mountain fast but seems to take ages to get over the eastern cluster of mountains.
Last night we were clouded out, the night before a big halo around the moon didn't stop me from spending an hour or so trying to find it. The cloud impeded my attempts but I tried.
The game isn't over till the hairy old mongrel sings (I think that's how that goes and I'm a hairy old mongrel?). I never sing, I don't hate my son or my neighbours that much.