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aspheric_cow t1_j4iwcoq wrote

Hate to say this, but this isn't a very bright comet and there's nothing special about it. Your kid will no doubt have many chances to see brighter comets than this. So don't feel like you should put a lot of effort into viewing this one in particular. Save your money and put it towards a trip to see the total solar eclipse next year.

If you still want to try, as others said, contact your local astronomy club. Or see if any of your friends have good binoculars - maybe you know someone who is into bird watching?

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flattail t1_j4l0zbr wrote

I agree! I am not even what I would consider an amateur astronomer but do go out star gazing with the kids a couple times per year for different events. Had a friend who really wanted to see the total eclipse and needed a second driver since his plan was to drive non-stop for 16 hours, see the eclipse, then repeat the trip in reverse. On a whim my wife and I decided to go with him, and when we finally arrived and were standing in an empty field I thought we had made a dumb decision. However, an hour later when the eclipse happened it was so amazing! I had seen partial eclipses many times, but the full eclipse was transformative! My favorite celestial event, I would say. Ironically, we have since moved near to where we had seen the eclipse, so now we will have to make another long road trip back to where we just moved from to see the next one!

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EL_Ohh_Well t1_j4qg04v wrote

Do you happen to know where the best location would be to go see the eclipse?

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aspheric_cow t1_j4qjdtj wrote

Probably Texas or Mexico. If you go further north along the eclipse path, there is greater chance of clouds. Alternatively, be prepared to take a road trip to any part of the eclipse path, and decide a few days in advance based on weather forecast. Wherever you go, you want to be as close to the center of the total eclipse path as possible to get the maximum duration.

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