Day three of the comet

Once again the afternoon weather was dismal, with rain drumming on the roof.  And once again the clouds mostly cleared away after the sun set.  It is a common pattern, but it still seems like a miracle every time it happens.

I was able to pick up the comet with binoculars around 7:15 pm MDT.  If it wasn't for the nearly-full Hunter's Moon lighting up the sky, this would be a visually impressive comet.  We will have to wait until Saturday to see this comet without the moon in the sky at the same time.

I used two setups for these photos:  a Sony A7iii + Nikon Ai-s 105mm f/2.5 lens, and an Olympus E-M1iii + Olympus 75mm f/1.8 lens.

Venus setting over Bristol Head, 7:12 pm MDT.  Nikon 105mm f/2.5 @ f/4.

Venus is currently the brightest "star" in the sky at magnitude -4.  The next brightest is Jupiter, which rises about two hours after Venus sets.

7:28 pm MDT. Nikon 105mm f/2.5.

7:43 pm MDT.  Olympus 75mm f/1.8

The anti-tail is still clearly visible photographically.  It is hard to see unaided in the bright moonlight.

There is a fuzzy blob just up and to the right of the comet's head.  That is the globular star cluster M5.   You will need to open the full-size image to see that clearly.

7:50 pm MDT.  Olympus 75mm f/1.8

As usual, clicking on an image brings up Gallery View, from which the full-size images can be accessed (via right click).