Comet Pan-STARRS with the Crescent Moon, March 13, 2013

It's been rainy, snowy, and overcast since early last week - so I knew when the forecast called for "partially cloudy" skies I would take the chance to try to spot comet Pan-STARRS through the clouds.

My view looking West after sunset, crescent moon barely visible

My setup, Canon Rebel XT with 300mm f/5.6 lens

Bored and freezing, waiting for the comet to appear

Zoom/crop, a close up of the comet through the haze just above the horizon
300mm, f/5.6, ISO 1600, 3.2 sec, 8:49pm ET

I've been following the story for weeks; jealously looking at photos from the Southern Hemisphere and the southern United States, waiting for my turn. Earlier today, the skies were a blank gray. It even started snowing around lunch time. When I saw a patch of blue sky, I started obsessing over the hourly forecast hoping to get a chance to photograph the comet for myself.

Had to go vertical to get the moon and comet both in frame, super cool!
95mm, f/4.5, ISO 800, 5 sec, 8:46pm ET

I got to Slippery Elm Trail around 7:30pm (sunset was 7:39pm ET). I got to see a cool sunset, and started setting up my camera. I ended up waiting around for 20 min or so before I could even see the crescent moon clearly. 30 minutes later I knew I should be getting close, but I didn't see any comet.

Watching the comet dip behind clouds in the fairly bright twilight sky
300mm, f/5.6, ISO 400, 4 sec, 8:32pm ET

I started clicking around looking for the comet with 1.5s exposures. I finally caught a glimpse of it in my LCD screen and I knew I had it! I followed it over the next 30 min or so until I could get a shot of the comet and horizon in the same frame. I stayed out for about an hour and a half total. It was freezing being out in the middle of a field with no protection from the wind, but it was worth it!

Target practice on the crescent moon, also useful as a focus aid

Earthshine with some clouds. I never get tired of earthshine!
75mm, ISO 200, f/4.5, 0.4 sec, 8:13pm ET

The photo I've been waiting for! Pan-STARRS low with the horizon in frame
300mm, f/5.6, ISO 1600, 3.2 sec, 8:49pm ET

After 90 minutes in the cold, I made a mad dash for my car. If I didn't have hand warmers in my gloves and shoes, I don't know what I would have done. Next winter I'll have to invest in some thicker gloves and some boots - this photography stuff is rough!