New comet discovered by Rob McNaught

[gary]

Just back from Coonabarabran.

News was that Rob McNaught apparently discovered a new comet earlier
this morning. Haven't seen the details yet.

Best Regards

Gary

[astroron]

Thanks Gary, lets hope it turns out to be a good one :thumbsup:

[gary]

Hi Ron,

There's a really funny story behind this one but I will defer to David
Chandler to report it when he gets back to Albury. David & Petra
departed Coona this morning and are probably still driving.
It is a story so funny that none of us who were up at Coona are ever likely to
forget it - and I don't think David will ever let us forget it. :lol:

By the way Ron, Mai and I got to see 22P Kopff up at Coona with an 18" Obsession. :thumbsup:
It is currently in Capricornus. It was quite large, round and very diffuse but
discernible. It could be visually challenging in smaller apertures or under less
ideal skies.

Somewhat brighter was Comet Garrard. A beautiful sight at the moment.

Best Regards

Gary

[jjjnettie]

You're a tease Gary.:lol:
Can't wait to hear all about it.
Fingers crossed that Rob's new comet turns out to be a bright one.:prey:

[astroron]

Thanks Gary, I hope you had a great time at Coona:)
I am glad to got to see Comet 22P Kopff.:thumbsup:
Comet Garrard has not been on my Radar:( I must rectify that:D

Regards

[Jen]

:thumbsup::thumbsup: waits patiently for the details :D

[astroron]

Jen, the Comet C/2009 F5[McNaught is in Virgo and is Mag 16.84 so it could be a little while before it gets bright enough for most amateur telescopes:(
But I'm sure you will find out soon enough when it can be seen:thumbsup:

[MrB]

Ron, I think Jen's waiting for the story behind the discovery.

[astroron]

Ho! Well I have given her something to go on with :lol:

[Jen]

:lol::lol: Yeah what MrB said :P:D

Thanks for giving me something to go with for now Ron :rofl:
:thumbsup:

[Liz]

all looking forward to the story......


In the meantime, it doesnt look like the comet will get bright :sadeyes::sadeyes::sadeyes:

http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2009F5/2009F5.html

if I have read it right.

[gary]

Hi Jeanette, Ron, Liz, Jen,

The funny story also comes with a photo that I am sure David & Petra will
post when they settle back into the swing of things. They've been away for
the week so will be just playing catch-up.

Ron, thanks for the details and a pity it doesn't look like it will be a bright one,
but once again well done to Rob for yet another discovery!

Best Regards

Gary

[spacezebra]

Hi all

THE STORY is currently being typed as I type this.....

Cheers Petra d.:D

[Greg Bryant]

Hi Gary,

Comet C/2009 F5 (McNaught) was discovered back in March...there's an object to be confirmed at -74 degrees currently.

Cheers,
Greg

[h0ughy]

Fantastic News and congratulations Rob, but do tell the story Petra - the whole gory story;):whistle::D

[gary]

Thanks Greg,

When we left Coona yesterday morning it had started to sprinkle, so Rob
may have been looking at a follow observation last night but I don't know
what happened there last night weather wise. I've seen a photo of it
but look forward to the details.

Best Regards

Gary

[Jen]

Well c'mon woman dont leave me hanging :lol::lol::lol:

[Outbackmanyep]

The only recently discovered things from SSS is that Gordon Garradd discovered 5 NEA's in 2 nights, 4 in one night, and 3 of them have been designated as PHA's (over 1km in size)

Glad to have caught up with you Gary and thanks for the intro's to the crew there. Finally get to meet some IIS's.

Comets i observed with Petra's 12" (thanks AGAIN for letting me have my way with your scope Petra!) include: C/2008 Q3 Garradd, C/2007 Q3 Siding Spring, C/2008 T2 Cardinal, 22P/ Kopff (not related to Gary of course! hehe)
And in the 25" Obsession i observed Q3 Garradd and C/2009 G1 Stereo, i did not do obs of G1 Stereo although i did see it!

Comets i didn't find were 116P/ Wild (Zodiacal light interference)
Comets i was way too tired to view: C/2007 W3 Christensen and C/2009 E1 Itagaki.......

Here's my official Obs report:
Comet Observations 24th May 2009 – From Coonabarabran, NSW

C/2008 Q3 Garradd
2009 May 23.53 UT; m1= 6.9; Dia= 10.5’; DC= 5; 30cm L, f:5, (x58)
No tail, coma quite bright and diffuse, gradual brightening toward centre.
Comp Star= TYC 9050-258-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ (SkyMap Pro v6.0)

C/2008 Q3 Garradd
2009 May 23.53 UT; m1= 8.2; Dia= 12’; DC= 4; 7x50 B
No tail observed.
Comp Star= TYC 9051-1040-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ (SkyMap Pro v6.0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/2008 Q3 Garradd
2009 May 24.37 UT; m1= 8.2; Dia= 9.4’; DC= 5; 30cm L, f:5, (x58)
No tail.
Comp Star= TYC 9049-1930-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ (SkyMap Pro v6.0)

C/2008 Q3 Garradd
2009 May 24.38 UT; m1= 7.2; Dia= 10’; DC= 4; 7x50 B
No tail.
Comp Star= TYC 9274-1110-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ (SkyMap Pro v6.0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22P/ Kopff
2009 May 23.54 UT; m1= 9.5; Dia= 8.5’; DC= 3; 30cm L, f:5, (x58)
No tail observed.
Comp Star= TYC 5794-252-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ (SkyMap Pro v6.0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/2008 T2 Cardinal
2009 May 24.35 UT; m1= 8.5; Dia= 5.3’; DC= 4; 30cm L, f:5, (x58)
No tail, coma bright.
Comp Star= TYC 761-1446-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ (SkyMap Pro v6.0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/2007 Q3 Siding Spring
2009 May 24.39 UT; m1= 12.8; Dia= 1.5’; DC= 5; 30cm L, f:5, (x58)
No tail seen.
Comp Star= GSC-5387-2005; Method= S; Cat= TJ (SkyMap Pro v6.0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[MrB]

LOL Jen
I've been looking through the 'New Posts' listing for any new threads... nada

[Jen]

:lol::lol::lol: LOL well we are just gonna have to go dig up some old ones then while we wait hehe ;)

[The Unbeliever]

Ok I suppose I had better post the story.
As you all know I never go to star parties for the observing and much to my disappointment the Motel at Coonabarabran cannot get SBS. You have probably guessed that I have been hanging out to see Manchester United play Barcelona in the final. Thanks to a very kind offer by John G (xtreme) and his set top box I was all set.
And then!
I got a better offer (sorry John) an invitation from Rob to watch the game at Siding Springs in the Marsala observatory (as you know there is not much else to do on the mountain) so I eagerly accepted. The photo says it all Manchester United lost meanwhile however Rob may have discovered a new comet thingy (to be confirmed).

PS no bar fridge or pub up there either :shrug:

58459

Cheers
Still the Unbeliever

[Jen]

:lol::lol:

[xstream]

Of all people to be with Rob when he finds a new one, it's gotta be Dave!
I still don't damn well believe it. :rolleyes:

Oh and it's the last time I ever offer him anything. :P

[jjjnettie]

Comet thingy??:lol:

[h0ughy]

yeah Dave has a way with words and losing soccer teams, mind you though, was Rob barracking for the same team?:whistle:

[Greg Bryant]

The new comet McNaught (the 49th with Rob's name on it) was officially announced overnight. Comet C/2009 K5 (McNaught), based on its early orbit, may reach 10th magnitude next year, but it will favour the Northern Hemisphere.

An ephemeris can be found here:
http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/Ephemerides/Comets/2009K5.html

Greg

[spacezebra]

Congrats Rob

Cheers Petra d.

[Jen]

:clap::clap::clap::clap:
:bowdown:
What a pity that its gonna favour the northern hemisphere :doh:

[Outbackmanyep]

Hi Greg!
Yeah it will favour Northern hemisphere observers BUT we will still see it in Cygnus when i comes to max predicted brightness and will be a morning object next March. Still worth watching though! :D:thumbsup:

[spacezebra]

Hi David

Yes, Rob was barracking for MU too ;).



Cheers Petra d.