Comet McNaught
 

Anyone got any pics yet? This may turn out to be a highly visible comet over the next few days, worth looking out for in less-than-cloudy skies.

http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_mcnaught.htm

Chance would be a fine thing, all we are getting at the moment is grey overcast skies and they don't look good in a picture.

Alan

Thanks for that Sharon. Lets hope for a clear spot. From the pics in your link, it seems anyone with a 300mm should get something if the skies are clear.

Don

Good one Sharon. One of my eyes are pointed toward south of east at dawn now.

I thought an almost clear evening was going to be spoilt by a couple of low straggling clouds but fortunately they cleared away to give good views. :) Its easy to see if you wait until Venus is visble and then look a bit right - binos are recommended but not essential.

This was digiscoped with my Oly C7070 and a (terrestrial) pentax scope.
Approx 4000mm equiv, Exp 1/2, ISO 100, f4.5

Great shot Nigel, well done.

The Comets track is detailed in Stevies Sky at Night magazine, so as we had a blue skies afternoon, we were ready. Scope, bins and camera, but let down by a band of cloud on the horizon in a line just below Venus. :mad: :mad:

From the article, it appears our last chance before it goes below the horizon, is the 13th. Forecast for tomorrow is diabolical, so only two opportunies left.

Don

Nigel, Lucky you and very good one indeed.
Missed the opportunity this morning and evening due to cloud. Forecast for next 2 days is even worst but you know those who forecast these weather news.

OK I have a clear sky at the moment. Which direction should I look ? The news tonight said near Venus but that means nothing to me :D

You need to be looking in a westerly direction just after sunset (around 4.30 - 5pm) Venus is a very bright starlike object very low near the horizon. The comet is to the right and below Venus. You need to be somewhere where you have a clear view to the west. Tomorrow (Friday) is probably the last chance of seeing it as it is approaching the Sun.

I saw it yesterday from a bedroom window but unfortunately it was setting behind a tree. The view through binoculars is wonderful. This afternoon I went to a very flat part of Essex but unfortunately had a puncture on arrival and there was cloud in the wrong place. The cloud nearly cleared after I had changed the wheel and I managed to get glimpses of the comet through 11x80s but unfortunately forgot my tripod so again no pic.

Dave

Many thanks Dave

Fingers crossed for tomorrow at sunset.

Knowing the forecast for tomorrow, finger crossing will not come to my rescue. So any one knows when is the next comet visiting us? Hopefully one soon in near future and I am not even thinking of something like Halley.

According to the British Astronomical Association 2007 will be a poor year for returning comets. The brightest is likely to be comet 8P/Tuttle which should be visible right at the end of the year and could be a binocular or even naked eye object. Quite often the best comets are those that have only made one visit and so future ones are yet to be discovered. (e.g. Hale-Bopp and McNaught) I have recently joined the BAA and will receive notice of new discoveries and should any arise can post the details here. Comets are highly unpredictable and can be very disappointing. There are some returning comets that should be visible in a telescope but to see them either requires a goto scope or someone who knows the sky well.

I hope that helps.

Dave

Dave; Helped very much and thank you so kindly for your comprehensive info.

Well I had a great view of it yesterday evening :) . No decent pics though, even with my digiscoping gear - it was just too windy.

I thought I was going to get it today. The clouds cleared mid-afternoon, I was out with equipment but it clouded over again later on!

Many thanks for bringing this comet to our attention, though, Sharon - I had great views of it on Wednesday evening on my way home from work. Unfortunately,I hadn't thought it through enough to take my camera with me on that day otherwise I might have had a 'prize-winner' of a shot! I pulled off the road to see it and it was at just the right time with the comet looking as if it was plunging to earth with the tail illuminated for quite a length by the just-set sun.

I've seen a few comets over the years and most have been, quite frankly, rather disappointing spectacles but this one was a real show-stopper. It's a pity that, with all the bad weather we've had recently, there have been few breaks in the clouds at the right time for more people to enjoy the sight.

From my original link:

'Late next week, the comet will emerge from the sun's glare in good position for evening viewing from the southern hemisphere.'

So, I hope you chaps in the southern hemisphere enjoy better viewing conditions than we had!

Comet McNaught has entered the field of view of the SOHO coronograph, and it's bright:

http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/c3/512/

(Hit refresh to get the up to date image)

Dave

Just received this circular from spaceweather.com which should be of interest.

"Space Weather News for Jan. 13, 2007
http://spaceweather.com

Observers around the world are reporting that Comet McNaught is now visible in broad daylight. The comet is very close to the sun, so it is tricky to find. If you want to try, here's how to do it: Go outside and stand in the shadow of a building so that the glare of the sun is blocked out. Make a fist and hold it at arm's length. The comet is about one fist-width east of the sun.

This weekend is a special time for Comet McNaught because it is making its closest approach to the sun. Solar heat causes the comet to vaporize furiously and brighten to daytime visibility. McNaught is now the brightest comet in more than 40 years, and it may become the brightest in centuries.

Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos and updates."

Dave

With your good wishes, got it finally.
Link
Thanks very much for this wonderful and informative posting.

Thinking of space, did anyone photograph Jupiter last night?

One of the best pictures I have seen from McNaught.
Please give a link of any other nice ones you know off.

> > > L I N K < < <

Good grief, that's one stunning picture! Thanks for the link :) .

There are some truly spectacular images of the tail - here's one:

http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/m...7/Garradd1.jpg

The link to the space weather gallery is:

http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_mcnaught.htm

There are some great images from the southern hemisphere on the later pages :) .

Thanks for update Sharon.
Getting more beautiful than ever.
Lucky southern hemisphere residents.