Comet Lovejoy was larger and fainter than Comet ISON this morning in my 16" scope.
They both have faint tails about 30' long.
ISON looked like 47 Tuc but seemed to be brighter than the GC.
Both comets are easy objects in a 50mm finder.
I also saw the shadow of Callisto on Jupiter this morning.
Apparently, Comet ISON has surged in brightness by approximately 2 magnitudes in little more than 24 hours. If the trend continues, it could be a faint but easy naked-eye object by the end of the week. http://spaceweather.com/
Some are saying they've seen it's visible now naked eye from a dark site. And yep, an easy catch in binos. It's good to get a comparison with Lovejoy.
The skies have finally cleared here after a week of storms. I think I have some nice big sucker holes to work with so I'll be taking a drive down the road to a flat horizon in about an hour an half (nearly 2am here, yikes, I should be napping lol).
Some are saying they've seen it's visible now naked eye from a dark site. And yep, an easy catch in binos. It's good to get a comparison with Lovejoy.
The skies have finally cleared here after a week of storms. I think I have some nice big sucker holes to work with so I'll be taking a drive down the road to a flat horizon in about an hour an half (nearly 2am here, yikes, I should be napping lol).
Hope you spotted it Suzy. I just went out (3.30 and again at 4) without success. It's only about 10-12 degrees up at the moment and ISON is on the edge of the morning mist and general eastern-sky gunge. I'll try again on Monday morning when the comet and Spica should both be in the same FOV of my 10x50s at about 4 a.m..
"November 15: ISON's awakening continues. This morning observers are estimating it at 5th magnitude. It's a popsicle: with a round, sharp-edged, bright green head and a long, narrow, dim tail." http://www.skyandtelescope.com/commu...193909261.html
Hope you spotted it Suzy. I just went out (3.30 and again at 4) without success. It's only about 10-12 degrees up at the moment and ISON is on the edge of the morning mist and general eastern-sky gunge. I'll try again on Monday morning when the comet and Spica should both be in the same FOV of my 10x50s at about 4 a.m..
Peter
I was only about 10 kms from you Peter and saw nothing as the mist and Gunge rolled across the hills in the east of Somerset Dam.
Completely fogged out and drove back to Kilcoy in a pea supper.
Cheers
Peter, oh yes, I did see it in my 10x60 binos- albeit for no more than 30 seconds before it got consumed by cloud. Tom Harradine, Terry Lovejoy and I were all looking thru the same sucker hole at same time it seems .
I want to get more viewing this morning, so here's hoping. That was such a tease grrrr!
I hope you get to see it this morning too Peter.
Exciting times- Look what just came out this morning from Damian Peach in the U.K. Crickey and mega *eyepop* just look at all those tails and detail!
It's just like those ancient drawings of broom comets isn't it!
This morning Comet ISON is about mag 6. I compared it to two out of focus mag 5.6 and 6.3 stars using 20x80 binoculars.
The moonlight makes it seem fainter than two days ago, maybe it is.
Assuming comet ISON continues to brighten will it be possible to see it with the naked eye from Perth. When would be the best time to look, and near what stars? Thank you.
Assuming comet ISON continues to brighten will it be possible to see it with the naked eye from Perth. When would be the best time to look, and near what stars? Thank you.
hi Geoff
it would have to brighten considerably to be seen naked eye, especially at it's altitude and with twilight. better grab a set of binos or a scope. I've given up with the weather lately though tonight is clear I might stay up and see if the 12x50s can spot it.
at 430 it sits here from Perth .. probably from 330 I would be hunting for it as it rises ... but with aid from binoculars or a scope.
good luck!
matt
ps I don't know if Perth is daylight saving time or not so that was gmt +8
I tried looking just then to no avail. Spica was visable, just, there's a street light in that direction so I had no chance to see ISON and gave up. if only I could use the balcony.
least I had a squiz at mars. looking forward to pics that will come. hopefully a massive outburst will happen before it disappears... which is doubtful
It's had another outburst. It went from around mag 5 last weekend to now reports at mag 3.7 to high 3's.
It was an easy catch on the 21st November in my binos observing it right under a street light, thru light pollution, with the big moon out and in twilight . No kidding!
I've done a comprehensive observing report here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...45#post1035745
Matt: In moonlight and twilight, I doubt very much if ISON will be naked eye- even in high 3's mag. It's very close to the sun right now so it basically rides alongside twilight time. Try for 3.30am just before the sky starts to brighten too much, from a dark site, and maybe, but I wouldn't count on it I don't think. The only reports I've seen have been "maybe they thought they saw something but wouldn't put money on it" responses.
I help to admin a comet group on facebook, if anyone wants to join in the group, send me a pm.
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and gave up. if only I could use the balcony. 
. No kidding!
