Comet Siding Spring will cross the SMC Aug 28 to 30.
The attached Guide 9 map shows its path and location at 11pm AEST.
The map has the zenith at the top of the page at 11pm.
The mag 8 comet will be 40' from 47 Tuc (NGC 104) on Aug 30.
Its distance is 8 light minutes away, much closer than the SMC which is 200,000 light years away.
Visually, I think it may become lost in all the stars of the SMC, at least with a small scope. I find 2013 A1 to be a tricky object in a 4 inch refractor. When it gets near a star I lose it.
Clear sky's & good seeing last night & I'm pretty sure I found it. It wasn't what I expected, looked like a very small fuzzy orb & no tail not yet anyway. Also 47 Tuc was a stunning sight too!
Observed this comet last Friday night from a rural site with good to very good seeing and transperancy. Quite obvious in the 18" SDM used but little tail present. Use of a Swan Filter brought out more detail and made the comet stand out from the background sky. I've only seen a couple of comets visually so I'm no expect, but I would have guessed the target was a small planetary nebula if I didn't know it was a comet
Observed the comet again last night from my suburban back yard. Seeing was really good but transparency was poor with lots of moisture in the air and light polution abound. Anyway, Argo Navis put the comet in the FOV of the 13mm Nagler used in 18" at 182x magnification. Use of a Swan Filter made the comet more noticeable, but less detail seen than the Friday evening observation.
Well SEQ has been cursed with rain. Mark Bateman took delivery of a AP mount and H. has some filters due for delivery. We have virtually no hope of catching this event unless we travel. Nice one guys, you just don't think.
Thanks Glen
A great tip off, if only I had more than my little 80mm spotting scope I travel with I would have a crack at this one ! Is this comet destined to brighten or fade ? I will be home in a week with the 10" dob, might be worth a look then.