Comet McNaught (2006/P1) - maps and viewing guides

[fringe_dweller]

Michael Mattiazzo has a page with chart for this comet at

http://www.yp-connect.net/~mmatti/

he says 'On Jan 15, the comet is closest to the earth at a distance of 0.82AU but it is still only 7 degrees away from the Sun. After sunset however, observers should attempt to view the comets gas (ion) tail as it appears perpendicular to the horizon and, if sufficiently long enough, may be glimpsed from a dark sky site through binoculars!'


[edit by iceman]
- For images and pictures: thread here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=16333)
- For general discussion about the comet: thread here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=16086)

[CometGuy]

To get the latest comet orbital elements try:

http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/Ephemerides/SoftwareEls.html

Beware that the first elements for Comet McNaught were well out.

Terry

[glenc]

Here is a map for latitude 29 degrees south at 8pm AEDT on 15/1/07.
It shows the comets path for 30 days.
Refr SkyMapPro.

[CoombellKid]

Here's another map for positions at midday local time starting on the 4th, also
at 29s latitude

regards,CS sunny days

[glenc]

These 3 maps show the comets position from Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart soon after Sunset for a month from 15/1 to 14/2/07.
Use Venus to help locate the comet. The Sun is the circle below and to the left of Mercury. The vertical line #225 is South West.
Times are Brisbane 7pm EST, Sydney and Hobart 8:30pm DST.

Reference SkyMapPro.

[glenc]

This map shows the comet in the SE from Melbourne at 6am DST.
The Sun is the circle above and left of Mercury.

[glenc]

The Melbourne map gives an idea of the comets path in the morning sky.
The other 3 maps show what it is like in the evening at different places.
Adelaide and Perth will be like Sydney in the evening. In Melbourne the comet will be higher in the sky than Sydney but not as high as Hobart.

Reference SkyMapPro
http://www.skymap.com/

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Glen :thumbsup:

[maksutover]

Thanks for the maps glen. Ive never seen a comet before and this ones looking to be an absolute delight. Ill see how my luck will be...

[anthony.tony]

Hello I live at Lat. 33.4S and Long. 148.66E In Nsw what are my chances of seeing thi comet Tony .Bathurst - Orange - Parkes area.

[glenc]

Tony use the Sydney map. The blue area on the map is sky and the grey area is below the horizon. You should see it ok.

[glenc]

Some people are asking questions about when to see the comet.
In the Morning
At the moment it is below the horizon for us when the Sun rises. On 18/1 it will rise at the same time as the Sun and after that it will rise in the SE before the Sun. It should be visible about a week after that.
Evening
In the evening it is setting before the Sun now. It will set just after the Sun on 13/1 but will only be visible then if it is very bright. By 17/1 it will be about 10 degrees above the horizon at sunset and a bit to the left of the Sun.

It all depends on how bright the comet and its tail are, it might be a daylight comet. It also depends on where you live, Hobart is better than Darwin because the comet will be higher in the sky.

[iceman]

Post maps, charts, where to find, how to find etc, in this thread.

[iceman]

Hi all

Even though I merged 2 threads the other day, I think Glen is right in having separate threads because otherwise the 1 thread will get very large, and people will keep posting "how do I find it" because the thread is too big to find the maps etc.

So i've created 3 threads, please try and keep your posts to the appropriate thread. I may move posts from time to time to keep them on-topic for the thread title.

I've made all the threads sticky, so you'll find them in the top section of the thread listing.

Comet McNaught (2006/P1) - maps and viewing guides (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=16334) (this thread)

Comet McNaught (2006/P1) - images (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=16333)

Comet McNaught (2006/P1) - discussions (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=16086)

Thanks!

[glenc]

This is a 3D animation of the comet going around the Sun.
http://www.shadowandsubstance.com/

It will also show the comet going past the Sun as seen by SOHO

[Ron Garrett]

Glen, Michael Mattiazzo's chart shows p1 passing through Indus whereas you show it the other side of Peacock. Comment not judgement. Or have I missed something? Ron

[glenc]

There are two track types. Track type Alt/Az gives the results in previous posts.
Using track type RA/Dec I got the following for Brisbane at 7pm.

SkyMapPro says.
Track type
This section of the dialog specifies the basic type of track displayed. Selecting RA/Dec will display a track showing the movement of the object in right ascension and declination; this is the "normal" type of object track and should be selected when you wish to see the movement of the object relative to the stars. Selecting Alt/Az will display a track showing the movement of the object in altitude and azimuth; this type of track shows the movement of the object relative to the local horizon, and can be used for such tasks as displaying the Sun's "analemma", or seeing when Mercury is best placed for observation in the morning or evening sky.

[ian musgrave]

G'Day All


You've already pointed out the alt/az vs Ra/Dec thing, but I'd like to point out that it's a good idea to remember to click the Map Time button in SkyMap Pro, or it defaults to plotting postions at midnight.

I have a handy downloadable - B&W printable map at Southen Skywatch (http://home.mira.net/%7Ereynella/skywatch/gifs/jan_p1.gif). If anyone want's I can make PDF versions available.
And I've created a Celestia SSC file for any Celestia users out there, download it here (http://home.mira.net/%7Ereynella1/astronomy/mcnaught.ssc).

[Rodstar]

Thanks for all of the skies maps provided in this thread. No excuses now for not tracking down this cometary visitor!

[glenc]

The alt/az maps show the comets height above the horizon best but they do not show its position correctly with respect to the stars. That doesn't matter during twilight when the stars are not visible.

[fringe_dweller]

http://msowww.anu.edu.au/~rmn/C2006P1.htm

a page from the discoverer himself! - and a nice one at that ( for those that havent seen it ) - seems Rob has updated and contains a chart for sydney as well now

EDIT contains amazing historic daytime visual observation from today - i guess with it being summer and having the sun overhead for us is an advantage to be able such rare observations, i think it was first in the world (such an observation of a comet) for a long time?
rare opportunity!

[maksutover]

excellent site fringe! im extremely excited about this comet! as i mentioned before, ive never seen one and this could be love at first sight :P.

[dcnicholls]

Beware!! Comets are highly addictive!!

I spent 2 hours in 38 deg. heat trying to find it today. Madness ;)

DN

[fringe_dweller]

Hi Maksutover,:hi: What a comet to begin with!! altho you'll find many, many people started to get deeper into this hobby after seeing something speccy like a great or brilliant comet ect. at some point in there life, DN is right, you could easily become hooked and do all sorts of crazy things just to get another hit.
nice try DN :thumbsup: here's to a great weekend/week!

[fringe_dweller]

I just realised we can reproduce Steve Quirk's graphic for Sydneys latitude from Rob McNaughts page as long as he is credited - so i will then!
should be suitable for most of southern oz as it says

here's the cut and pasted accompanying text

' This diagram by Steve Quirk shows the WSW sky just after sunset for NSW. Venus will be an obvious bright object up to the right, but Mercury will be difficult to see except in binoculars (do not try to look for it or the comet before the Sun has fully set). The position of the comet on seven nights from Jan 13 to 19 is given. Although technically visible on the 13th, the comet sets just after the sun, so it is on the 14th and 15th before the comet is likely to be easily seen. The tail is plotted as a general indication of what might be seen. The outer parts of the tail will only be visible after the sun, and the comet's head, have set much lower below the horizon.

This diagram (and a b+w version) can be freely used in any publication if credited (c) Steve Quirk (2007). Note however the diagram is only really applicable to the southern states of Australia.'

EDIT: whoops forgot! thanks Steve!

[maksutover]

Hey is it better to track it down using binos or a scope??? my scope is a mak and i also have a 40x70 binos. Which is wiser to depend on?

[fringe_dweller]

Bino's mak! ...hang on ..40x70s!! there very high powered binocs mate?, got anything a bit more low powered? remember you'll need an awesomely good western view/possy in the first few days it rounds the sun. wide field/low power views such as you get with binocs are the best with EDIT: (bright) comets imo.

... if this comet keeps on improving like this, there isnt much need for charts I would think hehe

[tornado33]

If your scope has go to or other type of electronic means like an Argo Navis, then a scope is the go. I put on a solar filter then align the Sun, then move to the comet, remove filter, use the Argo Navis to move to exact comet position, it puts it within the 16mm nagler field.
Scott

[iceman]

Excellent chart, Kearn! Thanks for that. Thanks Qakka, too!

[glenc]

This shows the comets altitude at sunset for Sydney for 3 weeks from 14/1. On the 17th it is 10d above the horizon. The star background is correct for 14/1 but not correct after that as the stars set earlier each day.
Refr:SkyMapPro

[iceman]

Thanks Glen.

[Tamtarn]

Kearn......Thanks for the link at the top of this page

The paragraph titled Visibility From Australia is a great guide with simple explanation for locating the comet

Thanks again

Barb

[Greg Bryant]

It's clear skies here in Sydney, and fingers are crossed to see the comet after sunset, with reports now showing it to be brighter than magnitude -5.

A viewing guide to comet McNaught, with finder chart, is now here.
http://www.astmag.com.au/Comet_McNaught.htm

[RB]

Thanks for the info Greg, awesome !

[Ric]

Thanks Greg for the info, I'll be out at sunset hunting for it, Shouldn't be too hard by the looks of it.

Cheers

[gilgtc]

Hello, I just arrived in NZ last week and was hoping to see this comet, can anyone point me in the right direction regarding what charts and where and when I should look in the sky? The weather has been terrible lately, I have barely seen the blue sky yet but this week looks promising. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

My lat+long is:

-40.883333,+175.066667

Thanks in advance for the help!

Zo

[erick]

Hi all,

With the current smoke in Melbourne, I want to try viewing when the comet is close to zenith. I couldn't pick it up yesterday naked-eye (forgot the binoculars - Duh!)

I'm anticipating it to be about a fist and a half towards the ESE of the midday sun - am I fairly close? I've got a shady location so I can scan with 12x60s until I locate it.

Many thanks
Eric :)

[dcnicholls]

Eric,

The comet will be above the Sun in the sky around midday by around 9 or 10 dgrees. Can't check its exact location on SNP just now but should be roughly the same as yesterday.

DN

[erick]

Sorry DN, I'm fairly ignorant - "above" means which compass direction. Thanks Eric

[dcnicholls]

:)

Literally above - ie higher in the sky towards the zenith, with the same azimuth. Very hard on the neck and shoulders :(

DN

[erick]

Many thanks, time to get out the comfy lay-back chair, but I have to find a location to block the sun. :thumbsup:

[dcnicholls]

Depending on how steady your hands are, you could try what I did - cut 2 pieces of post office cardboard tube about 120-150mm long, and tape them to the front of your binocs. I gave mine a quick spray with matt black quick dry paint to reduce scattering. With the tubes attached, you can get closer to the Sun without brilliant internal scattering. A bit more dangerous than having the Sun hidden by eaves, however.

DN

[glenc]

This map shows comet 2006 P1 from Sydney at 6am in the morning.
It shows the altitude correctly, but not the star background.
The Sun is the circle just below the horizon in the gray area.
The comet's path is shown for the next 21 days.

Refrence: SkyMapPro

[astronomy]

Hi I am Alexander and I am 13 years old. I am deeply interested in Astronomy so if you have any infomation that you think I might be interested in could you please send to my e-mail witches19@hotmail.com

Thank You
Alexander

[Miki64]

any chance to get a map for Fiji- latitude 17 South?
Have been watching for several days now but no success- to low, to many clouds?
Miki

[glenc]

This map is for Fiji at sunset. It shows the comets path for the next 3 weeks.
The Sun is the yellow circle below Mercury and the map is grey below the horizon.

From SkyMapPro.

[Miki64]

thanks a lot Glen,
Miki

[astronomy]

Thanks for your infomation I got some nice pictures of McNaught

[Ritix]

Hi man!
I'm a Chilean user followin very close this case... I'm just fascinated. I saw McNaught on January 20th, and it look just wonderful.

I'll get straight to the point. I'm a Celestia 1.4.1 user. I pasted the script you gave us in "comets.ssc". Now I'm available to see McNaught. But I can't see its orbit. Also, I can't click on it to see its info. Please, if anyone can help me, I'll be very pleased.

I'll attach an image, so you can see my problem.

[img=http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9649/mcnaught2pg.th.png] (http://img300.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mcnaught6dv.png)

The Red elypse is Earth's orbit. Near to it, in the left, there's a comet (that's Mcnaught...) But where is its orbit? and its info?

Please, help me ^^

[DrewR]

Hey guys,

I am at a meer age of 15, but am a very avid photographer, I have heard about this comet and VERY keen to snap a shot of it. It is now Tuesday the 23rd of Jan 2007 and I was wondering when the BEST time to view this comet over Brisbane city would be (or will it even be visable over Brisbane city in its fading stages due to too much light?) Please just standard AM or PM time, I don't really follow all that "space talk" too well. :-/ I am planning on heading up today/tonight. Does anyone know if it will be very visable?

Any help would be VERY much appreciated. If i manage to snap a shot I will post it up.

Thank you
Drew.

[glenc]

The best time for Brisbane is 7:30pm to 9pm. Look in the south west just above the horizon. Avoid bright lights and you need a good SW horizon.

[Rigel's Child]

Hi
sorry to join so late into the find McNaught game but i was wondering if i am too late to view this beautiful sight? I live in melbourne's western suburbs (.
any help would be apprec. i have seen the charts but am new to this, & am even without my scope due my tripod being injured at this time (by someone other than myself - i have now learnt to supervise a little better).
thx

Dani
:help:

[mojo]

Yep. Sure can. It was visible tonight, if but for 10 minutes because of the clouds. But others in the south eastern suburbs and Ballarat got a clear view. If you look SW, you should still be able to see it after sunset (if the clouds don't get in the way).

[iceman]

Hi Glen.

Can you please post an updated chart for Sydney area for the next week?

Thanks

[rossie]

I live in the SE Suburbs of Melbourne and for 2 nights now I have been trying to locate this comet and would really like some help to locate it - I am new to this and the maps whilst look great I am unfamiliar with and hence my difficulty
I started watching from sunset for the next 1, 1/2 hours/2 hours until after 10.30 in the SW direction but saw nothing
Tonight I went to the beach at Mentone with an unobstructed view and no lights and agains saw nothing in 2 hours
Help please - could some kind person be very specific & simple in detail to help me locate it - thankyou :doh:

[erick]

OK rossie, let's see what we can do to help.

First - a group of 30 or more people, some with binoculars, are sure to spot the comet. Many eyes etc..... And you can be sure that it's the spouse or family member, dragged along unwillingly, who spots it first and is the most excited person of the night!

However, when first spotted, it will look much like the attached photo - a fuzzy patch of light - perhaps something trailing behind it. While the sky is darkening, it can be easily missed - and this photo is from a couple of nights ago - it is not as bright now.

So, how to get a group of 30 people? Why don't you head down to the Bayside - look at this thread about Bighton Beach - seems you have lots of eyes to help here (get there early for parking??).

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=16759

Second - whether you get together with others or not, let's try to point you in the right direction.

The comet is sitting there in the sky, moving pretty well the same as the movement of the Sun and stars as the earth rotates. So it gradually will drop to the west and set as the Sun did and as Venus did before it. I'm not right on top of the details, but from the time you first see it - probably around 9:15-9:30pm - until the nucleus sets is around an hour. The last bit of the tail you can see sets in another hour?

Now, get in position early with a clear view to where the sun is setting and a good bit to the south (left) of that. That's one reason I suggest the eastern side of the bay - the horizon is clear. You need to get your direction right.

You want to be able to observe where the sun sets and it will set around 8:39pm tonight. Without looking straight at the sun (BLINDNESS!), observe its direction - you will see it is moving towards our left as it sets and continues to move left below the horizon. This is useful because the comet's tail points away from the sun so if you have an idea where the sun is (below the horizon) you are pretty sure when you see something that you think has a tail if the tail is pointing away from the sun.

Now you still won't see the comet yet, probably not until around 9:30 with your eyes, perhaps 9:15 with a set of binoculars of around 10 magnification.

Let's look for Venus. So, to the right of where the Sun set, and up in the sky a fist or two (hold your fist out at arm's length to measure), a bright "star" will come into view as it darkens - probably quite clear by 9pm. That's Venus. Now go about three times to the left of the sunset, as Venus is to the right of the sunset, and about three times higher in the sky than Venus is high in the sky and you are in the right region. So we've gone further left (towards South) and up in the sky. Just patiently scan that part of the sky. Relax, it will appear by 9:30, 9:45 at the latest. In the meantime, note what Venus is doing, the direction it appears to be moving relative to the horizon, because the comet is going to move in the same direction, down and to the left. This helps you be sure you've picked the right spot to sit/stand. No good if the comet moves left behind a tree or building while it is setting!

To photograph it, you'll need a camera on something steady, say a tripod or a cushion on a chair/car/fence, and be able to open the shutter for up to 10 seconds (often a "B" setting). Turn the flash off.

[Ignore the moon, if you wish. It's now fairly high up in the sky to the north (right) of the sunset. (But have a look if someone offers you a look through binoculars). The moonlight is making the sky brighter and reducing the amount of the tail you can see.]

Good luck! Give us a report!

OK, for those you you out there with more accurate directions, please post - I'm guessing a little, but I'm sure what I have suggested gets well into the target area. :)

[albys]

erick, you're a champion!
I'm another non-astronomer blow-in with an interest in spotting McNaught, and having made a fruitless visit to an unseasonably chilly St Kilda last night (Wednesday), your "idiot's guide" is just what I needed! I think we may have given up too early (9.30) as I was under the impression that the comet would be visible not too long after sunset. Venus had been clear for a while, but no McNaught. Actually there was a pretty substantial band of clouds low in the sky, so maybe that was the problem. Anyway it seems that if I start later and wait longer, something might appear. Maybe.

thanks again!

[iceman]

Thumbs up to Eric! :thumbsup:

Actually, it deserves 2 ;) :2thumbs:

[erick]

Better wait for reports from later tonight or tomorrow - might be thumbs down. :(

[albys]

No, it's :2thumbs: from me!
A successful viewing tonight, such beautifully clear skies that I spotted McN (and got some nice pics with my none-too-fancy digital cam) even in the well-lit surroundings of inner-city Fitzroy. Well, getting into the middle of an oval did the trick. Quite a buzz to set eyes on the thing. "Be patient" is indeed the key!

[erick]

Better tell us more in the discussion thread - when did you first see it - how long before it set - what did the tail look like - Did others see it with you etc. And pop a pic or two into the Images thread!

[rossie]

Hi Erik

Thankyou so much for your instructions - I sat down went through them and sketched a map and off I went feeling a tad more confident!

We went to the end of Warrigal rd and down a little near St Bedes and sat with our thermos of Coffee and bikkies, watched the sun set and did all the prelimanaries as per your suggestions - watching the sun's setting position , spotting Venus etc .
At approx 9.28pm I spotted the comet in the sky and wanted to do a little dance around the park, however restrained myself - Just!

It was a very clear night with no cloud cover unlike the night before. It was actually higher in the sky than I thought it would be when I first spotted it.

I had a pair of binoculars and was very excited to watch it as it became clearer- I also was able to give another 6 people who were in the vicinity hoping to see the comet and look through the binoculars - one elderly gentleman in particular who wanted to see the comet but who's eyesight was poor was thrilled to pieces when I showed him how to find it in the sky using some objects on the beach front to line it up and then gave him the bicoculars to see it - his delight afterwards was really nice to see !!!

It was the tail that I found reallly interesting and it was quite clear through the binoculars but also quite visuable without and much longer then I expected!

Overall It was a fantastic night - only one pitefall, my bl**dy camera went flat after a few pictures early on and so I missed getting a pictures when it was darker and therefore more obvious in the darker sky - oh well! - these things happen!!!!

We stayed until 10.25 - the comet began to fade around 10.10pm - and the best time was probably around 9.45 - 10.05pm

Once again thankyou so much for all your help - cheers Rossie :thumbsup:

[erick]

This is the "bestest" - giving others excitement and seeing them enjoy what we enjoy. I was able to do the same last Monday evening - it's quite fun offering a view through the binoculars to complete strangers and feeling the bond develop when they smile at the sight and thank you sincerely.

I'm glad you had success! :)

[albys]

Sure thing!
Story here - http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=186703&postcount=531
Pics here - http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=186699&postcount=496

[Jason]

Hi There,

I have just returned to Melbourne from Washington and was wondering if the comet was still visible for photography, and if so at what time would you suggest? Likely I have missed it...

Cheers

Jason

[erick]

You'll be fine, Jason - It hasn't flow away yet.

In the evening, it's geting harder to see naked eye over city lights. If you can get out of the city with as dark a SW horizon as you can, you will see it naked eye (clouds and bushfire smoke permitting!).

Look well South of the sunset location and well up above the horizon from around 9:30pm. A pair of 7x or 10x binoculars will help you locate it easily. Long exposures should bring the tail out, BUT increasing moonlight is washing it out, so don't wait a day or two. Once we are past full moon, the view might well return?

Last night, before cloud rolled in, around 9:40, I could pick it up easily in my 12x binoculars and it was just visible to my spec-assisted eyes (this is over full Melbourne night-time glow).

Or you could try mornings - look for the "pre sunrise" thread. I reckon any time from 5am, again well south of the sunrise location.

Good luck - let us know how you go.

Eric :)

[Jason]

Thanks Eric,

Believe it or not I had to leave town again before I could read your response. From what I've read today it's now better viewed before dawn. Would you agree? I was thinking of heading down to the west coast (of Vic) and looking out to sea after seeing a Bells image posted. Can you give me an idea of how long this will be possible for, and at what time I should be sitting there.

Sorry for all the questions I'm a nubie!

Cheers

Jason

[erick]

Jason, it'll be getting harder to spot every day. I haven't looked for some days now. We are waiting for the full moon to go away - some days yet, and then we can try the evening sky again. Morning should be possible, but the moon will start to interfere in the mornings over the next days. I'd say any time after about 4:30am now - looking to the South of where the sun is going to rise. But I think binoculars will be essential now to spot it?? Anyone else from Victoria has observed recently and can advise??

Eric :)

[fringe_dweller]

yep evening observations are the go now :thumbsup:

I feel another prediction coming on, ... *fingers rubbing in circles on temples* and that would be, after 3 or 4 perfect clearest nights possible during the full moon and near full moon, in evening skies - the clouds will return with a vengence :lol: for adelaide

[erick]

Will you stop all that "finger rubbing on temples" - you are upsetting the weather gods!! :D

[erick]

A brief addition. I went to check out a likely observing site in the Dandenongs. [I think it will be great - Melbourne glow to the west, but great views south and not bad north and east. And best of all, it's only 35 min from home!]

I could not see Comet McNaught with naked eye. Tracked it down in my 20x80s, but not until 30 min after moonrise. In anything but dark skies, I'm quite sure binoculars are needed to see the Comet now.

[ballaratdragons]

It is becoming easy to see again after sunset. You have to catch it before the Moon rises though. Saw it really easy naked eye tonight for about half an hour. The visible tail is about 8 degrees but will get longer each night. :)

[fringe_dweller]

:scared3: :cloudy:

[circumpolar]

I found this interesting image on 'Astronomy pic of the day'.

Explanation: By January 19/20 Comet McNaught's (http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~apod/apod/ap070122.html) magnificent dust tail stretched for about 150 million kilometres (~1 AU), requiring images from both southern (http://spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_mcnaught_page14.php) and northern (http://spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_mcnaught_page13.php) hemispheres of planet Earth to take it all in. Two such views - from Cerro Paranal (http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~apod/apod/ap070123.html) in Chile (left) and the Carnic Alps (http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~apod/apod/ap070124.html) in Italy - are combined in this unique graphic (http://www.ts.astro.it/McNaught.html) that also outlines a perspective view of the comet's orbit (dotted line) and relative position of the Sun. Driven by (http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/faculty/jewitt/tail.html) solar radiation pressure the dust tail initially points away from the Sun, but also trails outside the comet's orbit (http://shadowandsubstance.com/). Astronomers try to account (http://www.lpi.usra.edu/books/CometsII/7006.pdf) for the complex structure along the tail, including the pronounced striations, by considering (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/bib_query?1980AJ.....85.1538S) forces acting on the dust (e.g. gravity, solar wind (http://www.phy6.org/Education/wsolwind.html) and radiation) as well as the release time and size of the dust grains (http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html). In the diagram, the modeled location of dust grains released at approximately the same time relative to perihelion (http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~apod/apod/ap070119.html) passage, synchrones, are shown as dashed lines. The location of grains of similar size, syndynes, are shown as solid lines.

[gaa_ian]

Thanks Ken, you answered the question I was going to ask, I can now tell my non-astronomer friends down south to go out for a naked eye look at the comet again with the waning moon.
Matt ... that is an awesome picture you have found there !

[avandonk]

Here are two maps made with Star Atlas Pro. The first shows a plot of comet McNaught's path from 11-02-2007 on how the sky looks at about midnight on 11-02-2007.

The second is how the sky looks on 14-04-2007 just after midnight when McNaught passes the SMC. I can put up higher resolution maps if anyone wants them.

I hope to image McNaught wide field with the SMC. The Moon will be a couple of days past last quarter.

Bert

[glenc]

This SkyMapPro map shows Comet McNaught near the SMC from now until early May. The map's time is 4:30am EST and the zenith is up. (5:30 DST) The marks are two days apart. On 10/4 the comet will be 2 degrees above 47 Tuc.