Photo op for ALL! Tonight!

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W.Smith

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W.Smith
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(and in the next couple of nights)

Comet 17P/Holmes, a relatively obscure and (until a few days ago) dim object, has suddenly flared to be literally a million times brighter, going from magnitude 18 to 2.8. It is just outside of the constellation Perseus, which puts it high in the sky and ideal for viewing at this time of year. The comet still appears starlike even in binoculars but should grow to several arcminutes across over the next few nights. The comet is now readily visible to the naked eye. This is a completely unexpected once-in-a-lifetime event, so get out your finest optics (even if it's just your eyes) and go comet watching!

About: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/10775326.html

Comet chasing details: http://comets.skyhound.com/

Comet+Holmes+Finder_l.jpg


Good comet hunting!
 
I'll def have a look! As Matt says if the clouds will leave us alone long enough!:thinking:

Thanks for posting about it!

R:love:
 
Thanks :thumbs: grey and drizzling here, :( but I will watch the skies if it clears
 
im a bit of a stupid :D so i know were cassopia is rite, so do i just look north east from there and i should hit perseus
 
davidbridges said:
im a bit of a stupid :D so i know were cassopia is rite, so do i just look north east from there and i should hit perseus
Click to expand...

No, David.
Look at the picture: you've got to look north-north-east (from wherever you are in the northern hemisphere). Perseus is below Cassiopeia.
 
Not seen the sky all day today so chance will be a fine thing :shake: Will keep an eye out if it clears though.
 
Thanks for the heads up, If the cloud clears I might just have to pop out :)
 
Must check this out, its been fairly clear skys here. If I can spot it at home i'll take a late night run out to Lough Navar and get a clear view to try a photograph at 600mm.
 
:( too cloudy tonight although might clear up later. Going up rugby club which is in middle of field with no ambient light so fingers crossed.
 
Nope still too cloudy. However, a plane went past and one of the blokes asked "was that it?" the response - "bloody loud if it was - idiot!"
4_6_102.gif
 
It was really clear as the sun set so I had plans to go hunting tonight but just got back and its all misted over here now. No cloud just lots of haze.
 
Damn, need a bit more warning on this stuff plz !
 
By the way, I gather the Moon is pretty much as close to the Earth as it gets right now - tonight's full moon is predicted to be the largest of 2007, so if the clouds do clear.....
 
Not really, I'm rather forgetful you see and that was a bit before my time :)

I take it you are referring to (one of the ) books of the mass-delusional :cuckoo: :thumbs:
 
Is it still viewable on a clear night folks or have I missed it now?
 
Not seen it yet but by all accounts it could be visible for weeks.
 
Excellent news Steep, thanks, although the cloud coverage on the south coast tonight is pretty deep.
 
if the clouds do clear the brightness of the moon may make viewing the comet difficult to the naked eye - the comet shouldnt be difficult to find though, but is quite low in the sky so you'l likely need a good view of the horizon (or at least no huge tower blocks nearby)
 
Here ya go guys, just bobbed outside for a quick snap at the comet, funny looking little devil isn't it, 2 second exposure at f5.6 Canon 1D mk II with the 300mm f4'L' and a 1.4x converter.

almost looks like a pearl

Hope you like !, comments most welcome.

Alan

MP3Y2376at.jpg
 
Its a UFO :o

I havnt gotten any cloud free nights yet to try some shots.
 
I got a Star of Bethlehem instead of a ping pong ball...

MP3Y2376atb.jpg
 
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