Saw C/2013 A1 and 47 Tuc in the same FOV last night in cracker skies, great view with the tiny dim comet and the extravagance of the cluster. 4.5" f8 Tasco reflector and 21mm eyepiece, 43x. Movement was quite noticeable over the time of viewing. Short fan-shaped elongation to the north (dust tail) visible and star-like central condensation could be seen in moments of good seeing.
God a nice view of it last night from outside Kilmore with the C9.25
I was a little unsure at first but after ten minutes it had visibly moved against the stars so it was pretty certain. Just a hint of elongation with averted vision. Looked to be much more initially but it was crossing in front of a DSO which suckered me.
Pretty sad to say that the last comet I saw with my own eyeballs was Halleys!
I'm a little disappointed with this one! Does anyone know where it's ultimately going, will it get closer making it a better viewing target? Hale Bop it's not...
"But this comet (Siding Spring) is particularly interesting because of its flyby of Mars happening on October 19, 2014. The most recent computations exclude an initially hypnotized impact with the Red Planed and predict that the nucleus of C/2013 A1 (about 0.7 kilometers of diameter) will pass at a distance of 131,646 kilometers at 18:33 Universal Time. The view from Mars will be magnificent, with the comet potentially shining of magnitude -6. "
Any chances to pinpoint C2013 A1 with a 8 inch dob?
...I have 2 hours of experience observing the night sky
.....but I also have a plan
Simon, It is a hard job to spot A1 Siding Spring with an 8" scope, I know
as I tried last Saturday, at Mag 11.1 and dimming it small and faint.
It will be closer to Mars in the next few days so it may be a bit easier to find,but unless you have a dark sky it will be nearly impossible.
I have a dark sky site near Kenilworth and have an astro night every month nearest to New Moon, the next one being the 25 this month, you are welcome too attend,see this page for details http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ead.php?t=8808
Scroll down for a map and details of how to get here.
BTW iceinspace.
Cheers
Simon, It is a hard job to spot A1 Siding Spring with an 8" scope, I know
as I tried last Saturday, at Mag 11.1 and dimming it small and faint.
It will be closer to Mars in the next few days so it may be a bit easier to find,but unless you have a dark sky it will be nearly impossible.
I have a dark sky site near Kenilworth and have an astro night every month nearest to New Moon, the next one being the 25 this month, you are welcome too attend,see this page for details http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ead.php?t=8808
Scroll down for a map and details of how to get here.
BTW iceinspace.
Cheers
OK .. I think Ron has it there with the comet being Mag 11.1 that is 1/2 as bright !
Heavens-above lists C/2013 A1 Siding Spring as being magnitude 15.1 - well beyond the reach of anything visual amateur. A camera and a good dose of time might be more successful.
Ye I got no chances,but thank you Astroron for the invitation,i had already looked at Cambroon location,,,,mmmhhhhh is not that far after all from Glasshouse,but I am a bit shy,,,,ahahahahaaaaaa.
And yes there must be fantastic dark skyes around Kenilworth,,,jelous
Heavens-above lists C/2013 A1 Siding Spring as being magnitude 15.1 - well beyond the reach of anything visual amateur. A camera and a good dose of time might be more successful.
Regards,
Tony Barry
WSAAG
Tony Heavens above is way out of line,it is no where near 15.1.
As I have said I have observed in both 8"and 16" scopes and only needs a dark sky for scopes over 8" to observe,even though you won't see that much.
Cheers
I'm prob gonna head out west tonight around Moranbah - what sort of exposure times would I be looking at with the 0.85x reducer? I know I only got a window of a bit over an hour too which sucks.
Last night at the club meet at Porepunkah airfield, C/2013 A1 was visible in a 4.5" f8 reflector at 43x in absolute cracker skies, albeit very faintly and in averted vision. Not the hardest comet I've tracked down but not an easy one either. Movement was followed over about an hour and a half, quite substantial. Views were better in one of the member's 8" f10 SCT using a 25mm eyepiece. Quite clear, could be held in direct vision and movement was followed.