Comet Machholz

[Mick (Michael)]

Had a look at Comet Machholz last night, it's bright, mag 5.5. The central core was easy to see in bigger binos and it had a small tail in the 12" dob. We could see it naked eye from the burbs but the best view was through 20x80 binos. In 7x50's it looks like a hazey patch. well worth a look if you get a chance.

Mick.

[Mick (Michael)]

Finder Map for Comet Machholz.

[iceman (Mike)]

Nice one Mick, maybe even I can find that one

What time of night is that chart above based on? Looks to be about 10 or 10:30pm sydney time, based on how high orion is there.

Looks like it's getting higher each night, i'll definitely have a scan around in the 11x70's next time it's clear..

Thanks for the post!

[Mick (Michael)]

2/12/04 8:45pm Queensland time.

[iceman (Mike)]

Only 15 minutes off, not bad Damn you foreigners up north

[mch62 (Mark)]

Looks likeearly to mid January will be good where it will be close to plaides and mid to high 4's mag

[Saturn%5 (Graeme)]

Will keep an eye out for that one.

[rumples riot]

ahh wondered what that was, when I saw it last night. Now I know. Thanks for the heads up.

Paul

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Guy's,
I got a couple of hours in last night, but there was a lot of high cloud. Observed with a group of friends down this way.



Just observed a few favorites, We mainly used binoculars and a 22 inch scope. Big diffrence!

We got onto Machholz no problem, it is now naked eye under dark skies just.
Find it with binocs, first then look very carefully and you can see it naked eye.

Good luck. I don't think I will be observing for while, as with a lot of you guy's we are under a fair bit of cloud.


Best.

[Mick (Michael)]

Had a quick look last night with 7x50 binos it's very easy to find. It's a lovely Comet, you can see the central core and a hint of a short fan tail.

[silvinator]

Gah! I've still yet to see a tail in my 7x50 binos. Maybe it's time to get one with better optics eh? But I can't complain, my dad got this pair for ten bucks at the local market. Bargain! It's more likely that my skies are so polluted it would be hard to see anything at all. I can't see the comet with the naked eye no matter how hard I try It's still a fuzzy patch in the bino's so at least I know it's there

[beren]

Same boat Silvie , cant see it naked eye but it is a lovely view through the binos

[ving (David)]

well ive seen it twice now... matbe i should take a happysnap (tho it'd just be a fuzz).
nice looking comet