I just spotted Comet NEAT thru binoculars

[Bill McBlueState]

It looks like a little smudge through my 7x50 binoculars. It's not completely dark out, though, so maybe the view will improve. I *think* I can see a wide tail extending to the south.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. wow! what azimuth?

where away, mate?

[Bill McBlueState]

2. Almost due west

possibly a little south of west. It's maybe ten degrees above Praesepe.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

3. rats, the same direction as NYC for me.... hopeless for me to

even try.
thanks though. I love comets, and I think binoculars are the best way of seeing them.
I have a really nice pair of 12x ones with which I can easily count the moons of Jupiter.

[Bill McBlueState]

4. yeah, that does kinda rule it out...

According to Sky & Telescope it's mag 3.5, but I don't think it's even that bright.

A friend of mine was taking sub-millimeter observations of the comet in Hawaii. He's back now; it'll be interesting talking to him tomorrow.

[Birthmark]

5. Thanks for the info.

I just took a look with my binocs. Then I pulled out the scope, 8" Dob, and used my 45 mm eyepiece. Pretty interesting. Stellar nucleus, hardly any tail that I could see. Pretty big comet, though.