Oct 3rd - Moon and McNaught close encounter

[[1ponders]]

Might be worth a sneak peak at this one.

On the 3rd of Oct at 17:45 Comet C/2008 A1 McNaught will be seperated from the moon by about 20 arcmin (3.75 days old moon, alt 45°, so nice and high and not too bright hopefully. Unfortunately the sun will be, sunset 17:49 :P).

McNaught may only be around mag 7 - 8 but it might stil be worth a shot later on in the evening, especially for imaging and trying some HDR

At 18:30 it will be 24' @ around 35°
At 19:30 it will be 36' @ around 22° (McNaught) (end astronomical Twilight @ 19:08 @ 26° 38' lat)
At 20:30 it will be 57' @ around 9° (McNaught)

Fingers crossed for a clear night.


btw: all figures from Starry Night with latest comet updates.

[h0ughy]

you know the chance of clear skies on that date dont you - its the october long weekend in NSW - next to NIL! but it would be nice to try and get!

[[1ponders]]

So come to Qld :P You could come up for the Barambah Dark Sky Camp and then spend the next few days at my place preparing for the close approach. I'm sure my dog house is bigger than the one you would be in if you did come up, so at least you'd be more comfortable. :lol:

[h0ughy]

mate you know as well as I do if I come up I will never be coming home:whistle:

[[1ponders]]

:lol:

I know it is very lovely up here. I don't know why anyone would want to go back south after visiting. :lol:

Oh hang on! Many of them don't :doh:

[h0ughy]

OkOk i get the message - wished the family did:whistle:

hey - now a nice new focus mask would be good Paul :rofl: just the event:whistle:

Oh how i wished:sadeyes:

[[1ponders]]

Just bumping the thread so you don't forget. ;)

[RB]

Thanks for the bump Paul, I missed this thread initially.

Will mark it on the diary and in the history books, "both moon and Houghy" have a close encounter on this day. :lol:

[[1ponders]]

:lol: Now which would be the better photo opportunity. :rofl:

[[1ponders]]

Don't forget folks. Get your eyes or cameras out there.:astron::camera:

[CoombellKid]

I stumbled on this checking Starry Night this morning.. definitely getting the 16" out when
I get home... shortly

regards,CS

[h0ughy]

we are totally socked in with cloud and stiff NW winds - only to get worse later with possible thunderstorms. I hope someone can capture the moment......