Comets are fleeting visitors — ancient ice and dust tracing bright arcs across the night. Just beyond the doorstep, they offer rare chances to witness something that may not return in our lifetime.
Integration: 1/3s f/4
Equipment: Canon EOS RP 80mm
Filters: UV
Acquisition: N/A
Processing: N/A
Notes:
Captured on October 15, 2024. This was my first time seeing—and imaging—a comet. Facing directly toward O'Hare airport, the light pollution was intense, yet the comet revealed itself through the camera even when invisible to the naked eye. A reminder that the sensor often sees what we cannot.
Handheld at 80mm, I experimented with multiple exposure settings and found 1/3 second to be the sweet spot—long enough to capture the comet's glow, short enough to minimize motion blur. Several frames were needed to get a steady shot without a tripod.
A once-in-a-lifetime visitor, and a fitting first entry for the Comets page.