Had a brilliant session planned in the backyard but the local kids knew I was trying for the comet that they have been hearing about all week and, tonight, there was not a large cloud band to the west.
No room for the scope with all the kids so we crammed into the van and off to a site that gives good south westerly views. Out we get and spot Venus in an instant and nothing else. Did some scanning with the binos, still no results, kids getting impatient
Started the spot the star game which kept them entertained for a while so I could quietly scan in peace then one of them said "Look at that star with a tail!" I said "WHERE?" "Over there." and points and that is how I found Comet McNaught (2006/P1). It was clear as day with a gently curved tail that spanned about half the field of view of my 7x50s and an extremely bright head. Can't imagine how I missed it as I had scanned that area several times
I still could not see it naked eye for another half an hour but the kids sure could, oh to have young eyes again. We watched it till it set but it just got better and better as it got darker. My binos nearly got wrecked in the scuffles for them and I had to try pulling rank, didn't work, then resorted to pleading to them not to break my binos, that worked
Finally packed up and delivered the kids home and will just forget the other viewing I had planned and finish off with a quiet nightcap.
BRILLIANT.
