Comet Viewing Again
Nice look at the comet tonight. Was anyone able to catch a glimpse of it and M33 in the same eypiece? From my east bench location, I struggled to tease a glimpse of M31 to the north; from studying my Sky Atlas 2000, I calculate the comet's RA 1 hr 17 min dec 31.75 degrees; my 8 x 56 binoculars have a 5.8 degree field of view, and I'm not sure of my 15 x 70s, probably 3 or 3.5. If it's clear tomorrow, it will be worth a drive west to put the two together in darker skies..... Joe Borgione
Joe/Pat and honorable listees, I caught a good (?) look at the comet just as it got dark last night. Dave, Lee and I were putting in a polishing session on our 16 inch mirrors in my garage. We took a break and got out the 15X70 binos. It was difficult to find at first with all the moon glow and some high haze but once it was spotted we could see it naked eye easily. The tail is gorgeous. It extends gracefully up away from the horizon. The comet was actually brighter than the stars in that low section of sky. Well worth the effort. Gotta go, work calls, everyone have fun and be safe today, 73 es CUL de n7zi Gary Liptrot -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-admin@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-admin@mailman.xmission.com]On Behalf Of Joe Borgione Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2002 9:15 PM To: utah-astronomy@lists.xmission.com Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Comet Viewing Again Nice look at the comet tonight. Was anyone able to catch a glimpse of it and M33 in the same eypiece? From my east bench location, I struggled to tease a glimpse of M31 to the north; from studying my Sky Atlas 2000, I calculate the comet's RA 1 hr 17 min dec 31.75 degrees; my 8 x 56 binoculars have a 5.8 degree field of view, and I'm not sure of my 15 x 70s, probably 3 or 3.5. If it's clear tomorrow, it will be worth a drive west to put the two together in darker skies..... Joe Borgione _______________________________________________ Utah-astronomy mailing list Utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
I drove to the west last night and did not manage to see it. Can you give me pointers on what time? The moon was so bright I think it washed out whatever I was looking at, or else I looked too late. Thanks, Joe
Hi Joe, To the lower right of Mars are two 2nd magnitude stars, one above the other. The comet is a little lower and well to the right of the lower star. Patrick :-) Joe Bauman wrote:
I drove to the west last night and did not manage to see it. Can you give me pointers on what time? The moon was so bright I think it washed out whatever I was looking at, or else I looked too late. Thanks, Joe
Joe, I don't want to broadcast this, but if the weather cooperates I'll be opening SPOC 2 this evening just before 8 for a look at the comet. Feel free to stop by if you'd like. Patrick
I'm setting up right at sundown, about 7:15 or 7:30. By 8:00 it's plenty dark, but elevevation above the horizon (thick atmosphere)enters into the equation. Patricks description using Mars as guidepost is a good one; my description from last night or the day before has you coming in from the other other direction. While the moon is full, it will be rising with the sunset; I found moonlight to be more of problem last week when it was higher earlier in the first quarter. This springtime evening sky is fabulous; four planets are up at the same time, a comet, the pliedes, and a couple of near-neighbor galaxies. Temperatures are mild and you can be home before the 10:00 news. Joe Borgione -------------------
I drove to the west last night and did not manage to see it. Can you give me pointers on what time? The moon was so bright I think it washed out whatever I was looking at, or else I looked too late. Thanks, Joe
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participants (5)
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Gary Liptrot -
Joe Bauman -
Joe Borgione -
Patrick Wiggins -
Troy Adair