Comet Machholz: Naked Eye

Our waning gibbous moon and Comet Machholz were at similar altitudes
when I stepped outside this evening -- my first clear evening in
several nights. Nevertheless, Comet Machholz was definitely visible
to the naked eye (by myself) from rural Montana.

In 8x42 binoculars the comet was (still) a roughly disk-shaped
fuzz-ball that was brighter toward the center. In hand held 20x80
binoculars the coma seemed to be elongated a little northeast of the
comet's brightest region. Weather permitting, I'm looking forward to
viewing this comet a few nights hence in the absence of moonlight.

My wife and son had no difficulty seeing the comet with the smaller,
hand held binoculars; but they were unsuccessful in spotting Comet
Machholz with their naked eyes. A green laser proved useful in
showing them precisely where to look.

This comet reminds me of Comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock from quite a few
years ago; but Machholz appears a bit smaller than my memory's
impression of the nearby, fast moving IRAS-Araki-Alcock.

Sketcher
To sketch is to see.