Viewing Astronomical Events While In-Flight
 

I've caught seeing fireworks from above and a view of the northern lights. I'm hoping to catch a view of the SWAN comet during an evening flight monday.

Has anyone managed this before? Any hints?

Unlikely. Re: viewing from the aircraft; you would need to know what part of the sky it’s in, I don’t know if you can see much above 45% anyway, and then there’s light pollution and reflections from the cabin. The cabin window glass is often dirty. I think these are dim comets as well, you typically need binoculars to make out more than a smudge at magnitude 4.5.

I recall seeing comet Hale-Bopp flying between IAH and TUS in 1997. An exceptional comet. I wouldn't be too optimistic about seeing any of the current comets from a plane.

No one has managed this before. Comet was only discovered last month

That all makes sense. Thanks for the replies.

(admittedly in the wrong thread. I'm not sure how to change it now.)

comet is low in the west shortly after sunset

imo the best opportunity would be from an A seat (left side window) on a northbound flight, or a corresponding right-side window on a southbound flight, with a departure time around local sunset

I almost always take an A window flying red-eye West Coast to Europe and have had a few great shows.