Comet Watching Gear

May 4, 2015

If you're planning to go comet-watching, here are some suggestions:

  • A pair of good binoculars; 10x50's would be best for watching the direct impact; or,
  • A telescope with 60mm aperture or larger.

    • To track the comet as it approaches its rendezvous with the Deep Impact spacecraft, you'll need a telescope with about a 60mm aperture or larger. Bigger is better. The larger the aperture, the more light the scope gathers, and Comet 9P/Tempel 1 is a dim object, nearly 40 times dimmer than can be seen by the unaided eye.