New Comet?

[abarnett58]

My husband stepped for a moment of stargazing and spotted a comet-like object in the Western sky. This was around 6:45 p.m. ET. The object appeared to a tail, or possible a jet of gas trailing it. It became fuzzy after awhile to the naked eye but still visible. We viewed with the naked eye and binoculars. My husband says he saw some explosions from it. We live 50 miles north of Atlanta in Gainesville, GA. We're just curious. We know Comet Holmes has mostly faded and wondered if this was a new comet. Amanda Barnett<br />

 

[coastergdo]

I saw something almost directly overhead, in SE Georgia, and a little west of me little after 7:00 pm EST tonight. I actually saw it with peripheral vision it was so large and then looked up at it. At first I thought it might have been that comet Holmes (I think that's the name of it...) but seemed it was in the wrong place. I went out back with binoculars, and it appeared to be a funnel-like shaped dust cloud. In the center of it, it appeared that there were small bright blue flashes. I went inside for about 15 mins to check on the web to get a good idea of where that comet was located, and when I went back out, it was gone. I guessing it's not a comet.<br /><br />I also saw two meteors within that time in the same general area. I'm guessing that, either we just lost a satellite or, one of those meteors exploded. I wish I had seen it happen, if that's the case. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /><br /><br />The whole event was visible to me no more than 30 minutes, if that. I was in the house for about half that time, so I cannot say when it disappeared.<br /><br />Awesome to see though. Looked like a thumbprint on the sky at first, and large as a dime at arm's length. The flashes inside it were weird.<br /><br />I hope some others saw it and can add some info. Greg

 

[emperor_of_localgroup]

I saw it from the Carolinas, near the ocean, around 7:00pm. The tail was bright and all spread out like a mop head.<br />It was not moving at all, which means it was not any kind of aircraft. I even tried to look through my weak binocular, but didn't look much better than with naked eye? I just came from work and was too tired to take out the telescope.<br /><br />Anyone knows what we all saw? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="2" color="#ff0000"><strong>Earth is Boring</strong></font> </div>

 

[coastergdo]

And...we have explanation: <br /><br />"2355 GMT (6:55 p.m. EST)<br /><br />The spent Centaur upper stage for today's launch is creating a stunning view over Cape Canaveral right now. After successfully hauling its clandestine payload into orbit, the upper stage is dumping residual propellant overboard that creates a bright fan-shaped cloud in the night sky as the rocket flies overhead. This is a special treat adding to the beautiful liftoff witnessed nearly two hours ago. "<br /><br />http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sfn-071210-atlas5-launch.html

 

[maranatha1520]

I saw that in New Hampshire around 7:00.

 

[spanky]

Yeah I seen it too in North Carolina directly overhead.<br />It sure does look like a comet but with those strange flashes and fading away as it got darker it must have been closer to us. <br />Like coasterGDO I seen it out of the corner of my eye and it caught my attention.<br />But in anycase it was fun to watch while it lasted.<br /><br />

 

[alokmohan]

Is it a comet ?Does it have a tail?YoU may see skyandtelescope.com

 

[MeteorWayne]

Did you not read the reply from CoasterGDO?<br /><br />Sheesh... <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]

Here is a video of this event!! <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>

 

[dragon04]

That was cool!<br /><br />Thanks for the link, MW. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>

 

[robnissen]

Yes, very cool. BTW, the odds of you walking outside, looking up, and discovering a comet with a tail that big is exactly 0.000000000000%

 

[commander_khashoggi]

Loved the video!<br /><br />Very cool....<br />Too bad I didn't see this happen. I would've been hopping about with delight.<img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font size="3"><font color="#339966">"<strong>If it's planned,</strong></font> <font color="#808080"><u>it's boring.</u>"</font><font color="#ff9900"> </font><font color="#ffcc33"><strong>- <em>Freddie Mercury</em></strong></font></font></p> </div>