– Eclipse watchers hoped to see comet 12P/Pons-Brooks during the total solar eclipse
– The writer sought advice from astrophotographer Dan Bartlett on capturing a photo of the comet
– The writer was unable to locate and photograph the comet during totality due to various challenges
Many eclipse watchers were excited about the possibility of seeing comet 12P/Pons-Brooks during the total solar eclipse. The comet, also known as the “Devil comet,” was expected to be visible during totality. People hoped to catch a glimpse of this massive comet the size of Mount Everest, known for its bright green color and horn-like shape of its coma. Some even wanted to take pictures of it, despite the challenges that come with photographing comets, which are unpredictable and fast-moving objects.
One person who attempted to photograph comet 12P/Pons-Brooks during the solar eclipse was an amateur equipped only with a standard DSLR camera, a tripod, and an iPhone. Seeking advice from professional astrophotographer Dan Bartlett, he learned about the importance of knowing where to look, adjusting ISO settings, and choosing the right exposure. Despite these tips, he was unable to capture the comet in his photos during the darkness of totality.
The experience taught him that photographing comets with a standard DSLR camera is challenging, as the window of darkness during totality is limited. Ideally, using a telescope with a sky-tracking scope would help pinpoint the comet’s position and capture its features more effectively. Overall, attempting to photograph a comet during a total solar eclipse is not recommended due to the difficulty of locating the comet, adjusting camera settings, and framing the shot within the short timeframe of totality.