Its true the comet has flared from mag 18 to mag 2.5 over the space of 24 hours! That would be a 1.5 million-fold flare in brightness, easily the largest recorded flare of comet. Its a pity its so low from here (and cloud and rain are forecast). At the moment the comet is being described as like a mag 2.5 nova in Perseus, it looks starlike lthough surely this will change as the dust cloud forming the coma expands..
Comet Holmes is a periodic comet and has been known to flare in the past. In fact it was discovered in 1892, possibly as the result of a major flare. See:
They are seeing this comet naked eye at near full moon!!!
Incredible.
Here's hoping that the storms predicts for SEQ tonight are all gone by the time it rises from behind the trees.
Well, what do you know! Too low from Melbourne, but I have to go to Darwin this weekend! Just checked - it should be about 20 deg altitude by midnight! Given the Moon, I wasn't going to pack the binoculars. Changed my mind now
I hope we get enough of a break in the clouds tonight for this. It peaks at 12 degrees above the horizon for me. My telescope is going to have to make a rare journey to the front yard for this one.
Well, what do you know! Too low from Melbourne, but I have to go to Darwin this weekend! Just checked - it should be about 20 deg altitude by midnight! Given the Moon, I wasn't going to pack the binoculars. Changed my mind now
Erick, leave the binoculars and pack me instead! Would be a great sight - enjoy your trip, and I expect a full report.....
Comet Holmes is 13degs high and 0 deg N at 01:30 from my location which makes it just skirting the top of the hill
I will give it a try tonight weather permiting
It is at the moment, but fingers crossed it will clear up later:
Ron
Last edited by astroron; 25-10-2007 at 10:21 PM.
Reason: Wrong azimuth
According to my chart, it should be around 9 degrees above the horizon at 1:30 am.....
Looks like a trip to Walcha Aerodrome for this one!
The comet is quite stellar in appearance and no tail is visible according to reports from the Yahoo comet group, its been measured at mag 2.1 and 3 arc mins in dia. from one observer using CCD equipment, others report that its magnitude has peaked already......
Wish these bloody clouds would go away soon so i can have a look! hehe
A report from D.R.Lunsford.
Well that was the shortest observing session in history. When you
start with the humidity at 98 percent, dew is not far behind. But I
did get an excellent view of it! The comet appeared yellowish and
there were hints of color gradations, I thought I saw a hint of
magenta and green, perhaps flourescence, in the transition area from
the nucleus to the surrounding cloud. The sight was spectacular beyond
words, very eerie, not at all like a typical bright comet. There was
some hint of asymmetry forming in the nucleus, and incipient tail. It
looked like a very bright, out of focus, yellowish globular cluster
more than anything else! I mean it was BRIGHT - the surface brightness
was very high - nearing Saturn in appearence.
Comet 17P/Holmes Outburst - now naked eye!
Would be a great sight - enjoy your trip, and I expect a full report.....
just in time for halloween - weird!
at the moment, but fingers crossed it will clear up later:
It is Hissing down at the moment so it looks like no Comet viewing tonight
