Chuck, after viewing the comet Saturday from the bottom of Skull Valley I can say that the western horizon is far from perfect for photographing the comet. Being up in the eastern hills would definitely improve things, but I like the idea of taking a shot over the water,so you have my vote for a trip to Antelope island, besides I just might be able to get there and then back to work in an acceptable amount of time. My shots with the sky reflected in the waters of Horseshoe springs only shows reflected twilight, the dim stars were no match for the recently set Sun. My only problem with my shots is that a longer lens would've been better. Howard --- Chuck Hards <chuckhards@yahoo.com> wrote:
Joe (Bauman):
How is the western horizon from the east side of Skull Valley? Is it low?
I worry about dust and atmospheric extinction with the object so low by the time the sky is dark. There is also the problem of distant headlights from I-80 shooting over the hills toward the east. Not noticeable to the naked eye, but the film will pick it up in the form of reduced contrast.
True darkness won't even be available before the comet gets too low, we need all the help we can get.
I had thought that shooting from the western shore of Antelope Island might provide an opportunity for much better seeing, being that the line-of-sight would be over water, along with much less local atmospheric dust for the same reason.
There also is a chance to get a great shot using a short-focal-length lens; if the water's surface is smooth, a reflection of the comet and galaxy might be imaged on the water along with the sky image itself.
What do you think? What are the group's thoughts?
Thanks
Chuck
PS: The comet was much subdued from my backyard tonight; I can tell that there is a lot more dust in the air (the Chinese cloud?) and high cirrus. Saturday night had by far the clearest air in the past week.
Love those Bears!
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