The next three weeks are going to be prime, PRIME viewing of comet Ison. Its crossed earth orbit and is racing to the sun for its closest approach on Thanksgiving Day. With proper eye protection it may even be possible to see it as it circles around the sun that day.
Thanksgiving Day about 11am Ison will make its closest approach to the sun and may be visible, with the aid of special filters when it is close to the sun. It should be visible most of the day that day. Wow. Am like a kid in a candy store over this one.
Now that prime viewing charts have been established it looks like a sunset view isn’t gonna happen with this comet. Dawn and pre-dawn look to be the best during that peak viewing period. I had thought about going up the 15 to Stoddard Wells for viewing if it was going to be sunset. Scratch that and now looking at points east, say Joshua Tree pre-dawn excursion and set up to capture the comet in its glory as the sun slowly illuminates the horizon? Might as well start planning now before everyone else gets the bright idea to leave the city for best views without the encumberance of light pollution. Who’s in for leaving LA early enough to be in the desert for that with me? I’m thinking the weekend of 12/7-8 as it won’t have the mad hordes of Thanksgiving Traffic and be right in the middle of the best viewing period?