Travel with Jonathan Rundle

Neowise from Western Washington

July 20, 2020/Jonathan Rundle/0 Comments

I took a few stabs at capturing Neowise while it was visiting our planet’s periphery. I’m no pro astrophotographer by any means, but I always like to try new things. These photos are a record of my fascination with the comet. Enjoy these appearances of Neowise from Western Washington.

As a kid, I remember watching Jack Horkheimer and his “Star Hustler” tv show. His guidance helped me find the Hale-Bopp comet through my dad’s binoculars back in the 90’s. Jack always closed each show with “Keep looking up!” and I think he’d be happy to know many of us still do!

Neowise from Seattle

To get my first look at Neowise, I woke up my wife at 2:30 am for a 15-minute drive to the I-90 East Portal Viewpoint Park. There was one other person there with a camera and a telescope.

Across Lake Washington, first light starts to silhouette the Cascade Range with Bellevue in the foreground.

Once the rats started to wake up at East Portal Park and start digging through the trash can, I decided I’d seen enough. As much as we enjoyed seeing it near Seattle, we needed to get to somewhere with a little less light pollution—and no rats digging around.

Neowise from Deception Pass

To catch another good glimpse of Neowise from Western Washington, we headed west. I intended to set up shop on Mount Erie near Anacortes but the park is closed. I assume thanks to COVID. So, we diverted to Deception Pass.

We arrived just after sunset so I prepped for the comet to make an appearance around 10:30 pm.

I went out to the bridge with my camera and tripod. Deception Pass Bridge’s walkway is so cramped and with the vehicles whizzing by I expected to get knocked out by a rear-view mirror. But, I made it home safe and sound.

Anyway, sure enough Neowise put on a nice show here at Deception Pass.