Art has always loved astronomy and even bought a telescope a long time ago. (It's in the closet somewhere.) He'd recently heard that there would be a comet sighting after sundown in the western sky close to the horizon.
I got this from CNN news:
Our next effort was to take a walk and try to find an area that would afford us the best view of the western horizon. Would you believe we found a spot and waited and waited? But we couldn't see anything. The sky was also still somewhat lighted. I figured it was a lost cause and coaxed Art to go back home.
As we walked down the street, we saw someone standing outside his house staring at the sky with a pair of binoculars. I asked him if he was looking for the comet too and he showed us a photo of the comet that his friend had taken. He told us we needed to wait until it was really dark and pointed to where the comet should be.
And OMG! There it was!!!
We couldn't believe it!
We soon learned that the fellow we were talking to was from the Big Island just like Art and they graduated from the same high school!!! (Granted the fellow is somewhat younger than Art.)
We were all so excited that he called out to his neighbors and soon we were all looking out at the western sky (somewhat higher on the horizon than we originally thought) and taking photos.
One neighbor had been on an African safari just like Art. They all started sharing photos they'd gotten of the comet.
We could hardly believe it!
It was awesome that we could see this with our naked eye even though Art had brought binoculars with him.
After about a half hour, the comet began to fade away and we all went back home excited and thoroughly happy that we were able to have seen this celestial event together.
After all... we won't be able to see this comet for 80,000 years and I guess we won't be here by then. 😁
Since Art did not get to see the northern lights in Chicago this summer, I'm glad he was able to get a view of this comet.
Uuuummm... uh oh... Is he going to want to look for it again tonight?
POSTSCRIPT:
OMG! Art wrote his high school classmate friend asking him if he knew this fellow we met last night.
His friend, Gary told him that YES! He knew this fellow because they worked together at Pearl Harbor. And if this is true, my cousin might know him too!
There is a joke in Hawaii that the first question you ask anyone you meet is a pidgin phrase, “What school you grad?”
How wonderful! And such great pictures, too.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing Hailey's Comet when I was fairly young and figured out I'll be just shy of 90 when it comes back again. I have thought perhaps I can pull a Mark Twain.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! My daughter saw the comet too! -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteBeautifully clear shot. I remember seeing Halley's Comet, too, and watched it for many nights until it faded away.
ReplyDeleteGreat anecdote, sighting, and photo. I think it is all very wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love how you saw the comet, but also used the opportunity to connect with your neighbors.
ReplyDeleteThat's very exciting about the comet! Isn't it fun to find unexpected connections? As someone who has stayed (overstayed?) in my hometown, I'm always discovering bonds with people.
ReplyDeleteWhile our granddaughter was sick at home and our daughter was at the emergency vet with a sick cat, our son-in-law and grandson went out on the San Francisco Bay to watch the sunset and catch a glimpse of the comet.
ReplyDeleteHow fun. The comet was almost a secondary treat after all of the personal connections Art discovered.
ReplyDeleteYou need to have a block party! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun someday, but this wouldn't be in our block. My cousin just texted to tell me that yes, she knows this fellow too!
DeleteHow neato!
ReplyDeleteSo true about Hawaii - first question when meeting someone is asking what high school they went to and making connections. However, I have a ceramic friend that lived on the East Coast all her life but she looks local. People who meet her ask "What school did you go to?" and when she names her mainland school, the conversation comes to an end. They feel uncomfortable and she feels uncomfortable. Kind of sad.
Your photo of the comment was great. No sightings here that I know of.
ReplyDeleteWe've had great northern lights but I go to bed too early to see them.
ReplyDeleteGreat comet coverage! I was driving home to Ohio from New Jersey one time, and had Halleys comet with me for hours.
ReplyDeleteThat's so great! You got to see a comment and meet some of your neighbors. That's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAloha from town side
Very well done indeed, and a lovely meeting of the small world society on top of the viewing. We missed the Northern Lights here though, because of too many leaves still on the trees. Our neighbour whose property is still farmland got marvellous pictures.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting, Kay! We were overjoyed to see that total Eclipse here... and DH runs out to watch the International space Station go over some evenings. It can be viewed overhead.
ReplyDeleteWhat an epic event. Well done. I was so surprised seeing you in a sleeveless shirt. I keep forgetting.
ReplyDeleteIt's cold and rainy here. Maybe frost tonight...
you captured some really amazing pictures of the comet, i missed it!!
ReplyDelete