Comet McNaught

[robnissen]

I went out at sunset on Monday and could not spot it. But based on this article:<br />http://www.space.com/spacewatch/070104_comet_mcnaught.html<br /><br />I went back out tonight at sunset on a hill opposite my office and found it. It is extremely bright, getting close to Venus in brilliance and clearly naked eye visible. The bad news is that I am in D.C. and the only clouds in the sky were wispy clouds right where the sun had set. Both Venus and McNaught were peeking in and out of the clouds, so I could only see McNaught as a point light. Plus, it is VERY low in the sky, so the sky was still quite bright. Nevertheless, it was very impressive, and tomorow I will bring binoculars to work and see if I can find the tail. Of course, it is going to be lower to the horizon tomorrow, so I don't know if I will be able to see it (it was barely above my horizon at 5:15-20 today).<br /><br />If you are west of me, and have clear skies, I strongly encourage you to go outside at sunset and take a look. Find Venus right after sunset and look to the right and lower. In the bright light of the setting sun, the only things you should be able to see are Venus and Comet McNaugt. Good luck.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Clouded out tonight, thanx for the reminder! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[vogon13]

I saw it tonight, naked eye, from 5:30 PM CST till about 5:50 PM CST.<br /><br />Tiny, but still the classic comet shape.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[Boris_Badenov]

We have snow & clouds forecast for a whole week<img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> Is there any chance one of you guys could take a pic? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Here's an APOD <br /><br /> and another <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[markj_87]

I've seen nothing so far because we've had high wind, thick cloud and rain for days now. Yesterday evening, however, it was dead clear - everywhere except the west and north horizons, which was infuriating.<br /><br />I'd also like to know how visible this comet will be once it starts moving away from the sun.

 

[MeteorWayne]

From this article.<br /><br />"So there's a good chance of seeing it tonight, or even on Friday, when it reaches perihelion. After that, Comet McNaught will become a target for observers in the Southern Hemisphere " <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[scottb50]

I had to pick it out of the contrails over Phoenix, it was visible when it was still fairly light. With it's close approach to the Sun I wonder if we will again see it from up here at some point before it gets too far away. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[3488]

Comet McNaught is now visible to SOHO.<br /><br />http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMMCRSVYVE_index_1.html<br /><br />http://soho.esac.esa.int/data/realtime/c3/1024/latest.gif<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[Swampcat]

I went out last evening to see if I could find it. I found Venus, but it was very low on the horizon...just above the tree line and about three degrees to the right of a streetlight <img src="/images/icons/mad.gif" />.<br /><br />Didn't see the comet. I'd try again this evening, but it's mostly overcast, so I guess I'll miss it...again. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>

 

[markj_87]

Well I'm not going to see this comet and I'm pretty ticked off about it. Basically this evening was my last chance because it's too low in the sky now, and once again the sky came clear everywhere but the west and north horizons. Talk about rotten luck.<br /><br />When Hale-Bopp came 10 years or so ago I was too young to care and so don't really remember that. Basically I've never actually seen a comet.

 

[aaron38]

I went out a couple nights ago and didn't see anything, might have been too late after sunset.<br />Now it's all clouds and rain, so it'll be gone.<br /><br />I wonder though, has anyone on the ISS been able to get a picture of it? I'd imagine there could be a very cool shot of Earth and the comet in the same shot...

 

[melchizadek]

Can anyone tell me if we will be able to view Comet McNaught in New Jersey before dawn?

 

[markj_87]

You could have a few days ago but I doubt if you can now. It's getting more lost in the glare of the sun every day, unfortunately.

 

[tazzz]

Hi, will comet McNaught be visible after it goes around the sun?<br />Also can it be seen in sounthwest MT?<br />thanks<br />tazzz

 

[MeteorWayne]

By the time our New Jersey clouds go away (Tuesday) it will be too late as the comet will be very close to the sun. <br /><br />Where you from in NJ?<br />I'm in High Bridge. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[melchizadek]

we are in Atlantic City

 

[MeteorWayne]

See this for where it is in realtion to the sun today, Sunday 2007 Jan 14 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

And if you have a high speed connection, try this and click on the LASCO C3 image <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[docm]

No need for night observations, it's now at mag -5 and often visible in daylight.<br /><br />Stand in the shade or shield the sun with the side of a building. ~1 hand width from the sun you should see a bright blob; comet McNaught. <br /><br />We used a spotting scope and got a good view similar to this pic on spaceweather.com;<br /><br />http://www.spaceweather.com/<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[markj_87]

I tried that strategy today at around 2pm, but there was too much glare in the sky and I couldn't see anything.<br /><br />In terms of the amount of hype over this comet and the amount of effort I've put into seeing it, it's been my biggest astronomical disappointment to date. I've seen absolutely nothing - mostly because of the weather, partly because of it's low location and small viewing windows.<br /><br />It's been massively frustrating for me and I've accepted now I'm not going to see it at all.

 

[railfan]

well viewed and continue to view everyhalf-hour or so since 10:00am PST in Red Bluff, CA, USA. Now 2:45 pm in CA. Still very visible, through binoculors, following the sun with the head towards the sun and tail to the east!!!! GREAT!!!!<br /><br />Sorry you can't spot it!

 

[markj_87]

Is there any chance it will be 'visible' tomorrow in the same way it was today?

 

[elderpav]

I feel your pain, mark_j. I can't find it either! I live about 30 miles west of Salt Lake City, UT and today the sky is clear. Perfect viewing conditions. I'm following all of the directions people are giving, and I'm telling you, nothing is there! People all over are saying you can see it during the daytime, but even at -5 mag I don't see how you can see anything that close to the sun with all that overwhelming glare. And yes, I've tried the trick of blocking out the sun with a building or my hand. I tell you, nothing is there.

 

[markj_87]

Nice to know someone else is feeling the same! I must have spent the best part of 2 hours looking for it today and came up with nothing. It's such a frustrating target!