Posted on 02/24/2006 7:53:29 PM PST by annie laurie
During the next couple of weeks skywatchers will be turning their attention to a newly discovered comet that has just swept past the Sun and will soon cruise past Earth on its way back out toward the depths of the outer solar system.
Astronomers, who attempt to forecast the future characteristics and behavior of these cosmic vagabonds, have found this new object to be a better-than-average performer.
The comet is now visible with a simple pair of binoculars, and it's also dimly visible to the naked eye if you know precisely where to look ...
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
Space ping
Hi Admin Moderator,
If you feel this article is newsworthy, would you consider moving it from chat into the news forum?
I'm still a newbie, and wasn't sure whether this was an appropriate article for 'news'. If not, it's fine to keep it in chat.
Many thanks :)
Very interesting, thank.
I love Robert Frost :)
The comet is located in the zodiacal constellation of Capricornus, the Sea Goat. Beginning Feb. 27, skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere can try locating it, very low above the horizon, somewhat south of due east about 90 minutes before sunrise. You can use Venus as a guide on this morning: the comet will be situated roughly 7 degrees to the left and slightly below the brilliant planet (the width of your fist held at arm's length and projected against the sky is roughly equal to 10 degrees).
Are we going to be able to see it without getting up at 4:30 in the morning? It's cold and dark (whining).
Mrs VS
Not at my house! The people across the street got a brand new REALLY BRIGHT STREET LIGHT and it's killing my viewing!
GRRRRR.
Well, the people across the street from me have these trees and a roof that blocks my eastern viewing. Darn inconsiderate. So I'd have to walk over to the field. Or climb on my roof. And I don't wanna do that at 4:30 in the morning.
Mrs VS
Comet Pojmansk at closest approach to Earth on March 5 as seen from mid-northern latitudes at 5 a.m. local time. As viewed from midnorthern latitudes, Comet Pojmanski will be positioned a little higher above the horizon each morning at the start of morning twilight. While it's only 5 degrees high on Feb. 27, this quickly improves to 10 degrees by March 2; 16 degrees by March 5 and 22 degrees (more than "two fists" up from the horizon) by March 9.
That's what pellet guns are for.
That's what chainsaws are for.
Hit the link for dates and times.
Leni
You think I should do their house too? They're decent neighbors.
Mrs VS
Little did I know that starting this thread would lead to neighborhood feuds ;-)
Nice PING!
I'm over here in Iraq. It gives a new definition to dark. There is literally no backlighting, and stargazing out here is superb.
And I get to use NVG's and telescopic sights, too! Hee hee!
Thank you for your service! :)
I can imagine that the stargazing is wonderful there. The best I've encountered myself was in Yosemite ... unbelieveable number of stars ... I stayed outside until my teeth were chattering so hard it was causing my vision to blur ;-)
Hey, Sarge! Thanks and stay safe!
We also have sights, like this one:
I took this on the night of 04 DEC 05, just after twilight. When the sun goes down here, there's a VERY short twilight.
bump
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