New Comet 2007 E2(Lovejoy)-Destination unknown ?

spaceweather.com ^ | 3-17-07 | spaceweather

[Orlando]

New Comet(Lovejoy): On March 15th, Terry Lovejoy of Thomlands, Australia discovered a new comet (C/2007 E2) in the southern constellation Indus. Remarkably, to make the find he used not a telescope but just a camera- a Canon 350D. At Lovejoy's request John Frummund of Gisborme, New Zealand confirmed the comet with this photo taken through a 0.41-m reflector.

The new comet is green, 9th-magnitude, and located approximately at right ascension 20h 42m 55s, declination -50o 43' 14" (ref: International Astronomical union Circular 8819). A detailed ephemeris is not yet available, so it is impossible to say how bright Comet Lovejoy will become-or even which way it will go. Stay tuned for updates.

[Orlando]

No tail is visable. Here's more inforamtion and close-up image.

http://www.possumobservatory.co.nz/comet2007e2-lovejoy.htm

[Orlando]

http://www.possumobservatory.co.nz/comet2007e2-lovejoy.htm

[xcamel]

Very cool..

[SampleMan]

A question for those who know. I sometimes read articles on space referencing "north" and "south". Does astronomy use the axis of the Earth as a reference?

[KarlInOhio]

A question for those who know. I sometimes read articles on space referencing "north" and "south". Does astronomy use the axis of the Earth as a reference?

Yes. The locations in the sky are given by declination which measures distance north or south of the equator (analogous to latitude) and right ascension which measures distance around the sky along the earth's equator (analogous to longitude). Because the earth's axis is precessing over time you also need a year to define the coordinates.

[NonValueAdded]

Good thing it wasn't discovered by Terry Hammer. /obscure

[SampleMan]

Thanks, I always wondered if they used the axis (which would be easiest, or the orbital plane.

[Bean Counter]

Hot Fudge Sunday *ping*

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

which would be easiest, or the orbital plane.

Planetary, cometary, and asteriod positions are usually calculated in perifocal coordinates, a coordinate system with the XY-plane coincident with the orbital plane of the object, positive z is the direction of the orbital angular momentum vector. ("r-cross-v")

Perifocal cooridinates are translated to heliocentric, with the XY plane the "average" plane of the Earth's orbit, z in the direction of the Earth's angular momentum vector. In heliocentric coordinates, the X axis is the intersection of the XY-axis (also called the "ecliptic plane") and Earth's equatorial plane. Positive X is in the direction where the Sun appears to be at the Vernal Equinox.

(I've glossed over some complications for the sake of clarity)

For the purpose of observing from Earth, heliocentric coordinates are translated to declination (latitude) right ascension (longitude) and geocentric range. Knowing one's geodetic latitude, longitude and altitude, you can translate to local azimuth and elevation. (The steps are slightly different for Earth satellites, including the moon.)

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

which would be easiest, or the orbital plane.

Planetary, cometary, and asteriod positions are usually calculated in perifocal coordinates, a coordinate system with the XY-plane coincident with the orbital plane of the object, positive z is the direction of the orbital angular momentum vector. ("r-cross-v")

Perifocal cooridinates are translated to heliocentric, with the XY plane the "average" plane of the Earth's orbit, z in the direction of the Earth's angular momentum vector. In heliocentric coordinates, the X axis is the intersection of the XY-axis (also called the "ecliptic plane") and Earth's equatorial plane. Positive X is in the direction where the Sun appears to be at the Vernal Equinox.

(I've glossed over some complications for the sake of clarity)

For the purpose of observing from Earth, heliocentric coordinates are translated to declination (latitude) right ascension (longitude) and geocentric range. Knowing one's geodetic latitude, longitude and altitude, you can translate to local azimuth and elevation. (The steps are slightly different for Earth satellites, including the moon.)

[JRios1968]

And Moses said, "Nothing to be worried about..."

[Orlando]

Comet McNaught the great comet of 2007 is still vi sable to the south too. The last report I read(26 Feb 07) puts it at a +5.5 Magnitude in the Tucana constellation. It's moving away and it's color is Green.
Comet 2P/Encke is coming in from the North, and should pass between Mercury & Venus(mostly toward Mercury) in April.
This new comet (2007/E2) is coming in from the South(constellation Indus), but we have no ETA, or other data of trajectory & size yet. It's also Green in color.
What makes a comet Green ?
I read in spaceweather on Feb 26th, 2007 that coma contains cyanogen(CN) a poisonous gas, and diatomic carbon (C2),etc...
We have Comet 2P/Encke projected path map out coming in from the North.
It will be interesting to see Comet 2007/E2 path of travel, and when ?

[Orlando]

When McNaught passed it might of left alot of debris as it passed.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1769403/posts

2007 EH,(March 11)Miss Distance 0.5 LD and 2007 EK(March 13) 0.7LD. That's close.

[mikrofon]

The new comet is green, 9th-magnitude, and located approximately at right ascension 20h 42m 55s, declination -50d 43' 14"

Just in time for St. Patty's Day!

[Orlando]

lol..what timing

[Orlando]

These Astronomers are good people.
Think about it for a moment to find a new comet with a camera only is amazing, Here's their website:
I know they will provide more updates and images in the days,weeks to come.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=18346

we shall see what happens next ?

[Orlando]

NASA/JPL projected path of New Comet C/2007 E2, just came out...This is close...Right in front of Earth orbital plane

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/db_shm?sstr=C%2F2007+E2&group=all&search=Search

waiting for more images ,size,etc...

[bmwcyle]

OK 17 posts and I don't see the, We're dead guys" yet.

[dfwgator]

Somebody notify Bruce Willis.

[Orlando]

debris left behind is common with comets