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Comet Neowise: 10 stunning photos captured by skygazers

By Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
By Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Comet Neowise, aka C/2020 F3, continues to brighten the night sky, treating astronomy buffs to a special light show through the end of the month.

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Comet Neowise brightens the night sky The Comet Neowise or C/2020 F3, with its two tails visible, is seen in the sky above Goldfield, Nevada on July 18, 2020. (DAVID BECKER/AFP via Getty Images)

Social media users are sharing their photos with the hashtag #Neowise. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Photo by @liron_gertsman_photography, Instagram

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There’s currently a rare and stunningly beautiful sight in the night sky: Comet NEOWISE is shining big and bright in the north, and won’t return for nearly 7000 years. A comet like this is a once in every ~20 year event; the last comet comparable to this one visible from the northern hemisphere was Comet Hale–Bopp in 1997, before I was born. I’ve spent all recent nights with clear skies observing and photographing this impressive spectacle. The other night, I was treated to what might be a once in a lifetime event; the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) showed up, “photobombing” my comet shot. For about 30 minutes, the Aurora was visible to the naked eye, a very rare event at this latitude of just 49 degrees north. The colours were hard to see, but the pillars were clearly visible dancing across the northern sky. I encourage everyone to try to see this spectacular comet! Its hard to know how long it will be around, but it will likely start to fade more rapidly after its closest approach to Earth on July 23. It’s currently visible all night long in most locations in the Northern Hemisphere. Make sure it’s dark enough outside, you have a clear view of the northern horizon, and that there aren’t any bright lights in the immediate vicinity that may prevent your eyes from adjusting to the dark. If you have clear skies, it’s hard to miss even from heavily light-polluted cities!

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2. Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California

Photo by @smi77y, Instagram

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Sometimes you need a kick in the pants to get your motivation going and that's just what my buddy @jasmanmander did messaging me about the comet Neowise, which by the way was the first time I had heard of this thing. We brainstormed ideas and locations only to both come to the conclusion that this location was the one. I had seen compositions here before and always loved it, largely because the Shasta/Trinity national forest is so unique and this portrays SO much of what it is and how special it is. It's partly nostalgic for me as I grew up camping in this area and as many of you know, I was born in Shasta. Something about the forests and rocks and makeup of the land just really works, and nature laid up this absolutely perfect window of a composition. The comet is visible around 4 am, which meant an all-nighter that included a drive down to Shasta, and an hour or so hike up above a couple of lakes around 7k elevation in the middle of the night. It was a calm and comfortable night which was good, but it can always get a little spooky. As we hiked up our headlands caught glimpse of a reflection among a an upside down "V" shaped tree-line resting against the cliff wall above us. Of course we froze with our lights on it for a little bit, Jas wanting me to get a pic, which I failed at. It just stared at us, we eventually move towards our location which was a sideways direction from the unknown animal. Of course I keep checking my back constantly. Eventually we get near the lake but of course one of the times I check up and behind me I see eyes again. Whether or not it was the same animal, I don't know. But we're basically at the location so we move along and set up right where we planned. Still checking behind me and ruining some of Jas’s shots I eventually calmed down and focused on the show that was about to begin, and boy was it a show. Single frame @nikonusa z6 @tamronusa 70-200g2 @ 70mm f2.8 ISO 3200 8 seconds. #neowise #neowisecomet #shasta #planetearth #singleframe #nasa #apod #spacex #outerspace #comet

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3. Arizona

Photo by @klarajohnson_photograph, Instagram

4. Nashville, Tennessee

Photo by Donald Duane Chambers, Facebook

NEO does Nashville

Posted by Donald Duane Chambers on Saturday, July 18, 2020

5. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Photo by @wolfmercuryphotography, Instagram

6. Central Texas

Photo by @jenlowry, Instagram

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One day I will learn to stack my astroshots, but for now here’s a single exposure of Neowise and two surprise (and very faint) meteors from last night in Central Texas. Such a fun night with great people and so much to see. Thanks to @daftscience and @rudyramirez_rrj for letting me tag along on your trip back out to this spot. 💫🪐✨ . . . . . . #neowise #cometneowise #texas #astrophotography #nightphotograpy #igaustintexas #instagramtexas #igtexas #starrynight #sky_brilliance #exploreeverything #why_i_explore #travelphotography #traveltexas #universe #instadaily #meteorshower #texastodo #nightshooters #naturephotography #longexposure #deepintheheartoftexas #panasoniclumix #microfourthirds

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7. Martin, South Dakota

Photo by @aguycalledfelix, Instagram

8. St. Catherine's Oratory, Isle of Wight, England

Photo by @ainsleybennettphotography, Instagram

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I think I'm still recovering from the lack of sleep over the weekend but it was certainly worth it. Here's Comet NEOWISE alongside the Pepperpot (St Catherine's Oratory). The dark skies here really made the structure of the Comet stand out and I thought I would include an image with myself in the frame to add some scale. The Moon was rising to the east which illuminated the old building and created some nice shadows. @space @natgeospace #natgeospace #astrophotography #space #iowshots #isleofwight #universetoday #ipulledoverforthis #milkyway #ig_astrophotography #earthcapture #amazing_longexpo #special_shots #astrophysics #world_shotz #fantastic_universe #ukpotd #splendid_xposure #main_vision #night_excl #earthcapture @exploringtheglobe #Exploringtheglobe #nikon #d850 #samyang135mmf2 #astro_photography_ #samyanglensglobal #samyanglens #samyanguk #witns #cometneowise #nightscaper

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9. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Photo by @natashawinterrose, Instagram

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Alright folks. I think this might be my favorite NEOWISE capture I’ve been able to create. In this moment, a car actually drove by on the main road and tapped its breaks, which then backlit the geysers you see here. I was kind of mad at first, but after closer inspection I realized how fortunate this was. It just might be my most favorite photo of all. And in the words of Bob Ross it was a “happy little accident”. I’m also pretty happy about the shooting star too! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Let me know what you think! I hope you can get out to see the comet. It’s truly incredible! ✨💫🪐 I’ve loved seeing everyone’s captures of the comet. I am amazed at the level of creativity happening. I had never done Astro photography before this so any feedback is welcome! It’s the only way to get better. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This was captured in the Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone. Comet NEOWISE. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 7/16/2020 - Sony A7riii, 55 mm prime lense, on @manfrotto tripod. NW Horizon. F 1.8, 10 second exposure, ISO 3200. Cropped. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #neowisecomet #milkywaychasers #cometneowise #neowise #astrophotography #nightskyphotography #greateryellowstoneecosystem #yellowstone #astrophoto #findyourpark #ig_masterpiece #nationalparkgeek #theoutbound #tetoncollective #visitmontana #nakedplanet #splendid_earth #beautifuldestinations #nature_perfection #natgeoyourshot #welivetoexplore #wildernessculture #exploretocreate #roamtheplanet #artofvisuals #usinterior #nps #yellowstonenps #bealpha

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10. Cannon Beach, Oregon

Photo by @lestertsaiphotography, Instagram

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Comet C/2020 F3 as it descends from the heavens down over the beautiful Oregon Coast. This is a special place for me. Somewhere I always looked forward to going when I was younger and a place I go now to escape and enjoy nature’s raw power and beauty. Do you have a special place like that? . . Thank you @dreamcapturedimages @nlenzphotography and @stumptown_photography for making the trip out with me! . . Shot with the @sonyalpha A7RIV and @sigmaphoto 35mm f/1.2 Art lens. . #lestertsaiphotography #neowise #cometneowise #discoverwithalpha #sonyalpha #sonya7riv #sonygmaster #mykgw #bbcearth #nationalgeographic #koin6news #fox12news #pnwphotographer #oregoncoast #oregonexplored #pnwisbeautiful #pnwonderland #pnwadventurers #cannonbeach #pnwphotography #portlandphotographer #pdxphotographer #pdxphotography #portlandphotography #comet #nightsky #myplanetdaily #earthfocus #keepportlandweird

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