Kevin - sometimes I have the idea the word "cloud" should have been a 4-letter word.
Yesterday was a perfect sunny day here. An hour before sunset the clouds rolled in. It rained until 22:00. The comet would have set here at around 21:00. Go figure.
Today it is again a perfect sunny day. I'll not get excited until 19:00, by which time I hope to be down at the beach with binoculars, coffee and... a clear view. I live in hope. Saw it once, on Sunday, briefly, in a break in the clouds. On Wednesday it was perfectly clear come sunset. I was in a meeting.
Let's hope the weekend will bring clear skies both sides of the Pacific
The thought has just struck me: with McNaught having been discovered by an Australian and we here in the South seeing so much of it, the Australians can currently cash in on that song from the Wizard of Oz:
"I'm off to see the comet, the wonderful comet of Oz..."
*warm smile in the direction of all my (new) Aussie-Astro friends*
Last edited by Grinz; 20-01-2007 at 12:38 AM.
Reason: added something
No clouds tonight, brilliant, but the breeze was very strong so dunno how my photo's will come out.
I swear that when the sky darkened enough, and the coma was a few degree's above the horizon(Indian Ocean), I could see the tail wrap right down and disappear below the horizon. My mum said she could see the same thing.
To the naked eye it wasn't quite as distinct as the image suggests, but still easily visible and my neighbour had no problem seeing it when I pointed it out (and his reaction was true amazement!)
I had my first really good look at McNaught tonight overlooking Table Bay. I did see it on Sunday for the first time, but it was through cloud, or rather, the comet was dodging the clouds and I saw it just for a short while. Now that it is a bit higher, it is unbelievable. The comet dominated the sky after sunset and you had to be blind not to see it naked eye. I am totally stunned. Gobsmacked. A bit in shock.
I also estimated the tail at probably approaching 20 degrees since yes, it stretched to very close to Al Nair. Naked eye the "rooster's tail" fan was quite apparent, with binoculars it was unbelievable.
I don't have brilliant photographic equipment or skills for this purpose, but I did manage some shots. One problem was that the wind was blowing very hard and even a secured tripod was not easy to keep 100% steady.
I am really a bit in shock. This is so totally amazing - I have never seen anything like this. For once something is exceeding all expectations.
I have been quietly reading the threads in this forum since last Friday, extremely disappointed that I was yet to see the comet. That changed last night - clear skies and what a sight! It was visible from about 8.15 and the end of the tail was still visible above the horizon around 10.00. It is the first time I have seen a comet of this (metaphorical and literal) magnitude. After seeing photos of Halleys 1910 visit I was a disappointed 10 year old in 1986. I have been waiting for something like this since and I feel extremely priviliged. Lets hope she hangs around with such an awesome display for those yet to see her. Good luck everyone. It would be worth driving a few hours to get around the cloud, if possible, to see this. WOW!
oh incase you are wondering what exactly i did... i conviced cheryl to come see teh comet with me tonight
My non-astronomical husband has to be forced to even look at the pictures.
I tricked him and plugged the camera's into the telly and made him watch it from there.
I tried spotting the comet last Sunday & Monday on the beach in Perth but had the same experience as the other 200+ people ie no chance through the clouds.
Tuesday flew to Canberra for work so clouds cleared in Perth but settled into Canberra.
Arrived at airport to come home Friday night with an idea of seeking a window seat with a southern view but failed - was given right side ie northern window!
Get on the plane and found my whole row empty, so shuffled across straight after take off
Approximately midway into flight spotted the comet. View out the window was almost surreal with a line of thunderheads providing a light show below, a sunset of glorious red/orange and Venus burning brightly above and the comet in the centre.
However, the best was later in the flight as the sky darkened.
I gave up all pretense of normal behaviour and put the blanket over my head to block all the stray light as I peered out the window.
The view was amazing with the fan of the tail extending over half the way to Venus and appearing to extend beyond Venus with averted vision. I could see structure in the fan with what appeared to be radial spokes extending from a more consistent tail. Truly awesome. Other gain is the I got see it for over 2 hours as the plane was heading almost due west thereby extending twilight.
Another nice thing was the pilot announced the view and nearly everyone on the plane had a good look. Only downside was that I did not have a camera.
ive now seen it 3 times, on the 16th, 17th and again last night on the 19th. on the 17th i took my 7" newtonian to a lookout and the people all lined up to have a look! if it wasnt for a bit of cloud it wouldve been perfect.
im just wondering what sort of magnitude to expect tonight? (the 20th)
Saw the comet last night, in two words BLOODY UNREAL It was there hovering above the horizon and it was one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen in the night sky. I had a look thru my short tube but most of the time I was just viewing it with my eyes alone. Luckily I didn't have to travel far just to the road out side my house, SWEET I will have another good look tonight with a beer or two, I hope it hasn't faded to much, fingers crossed.
great reports all - keep 'em coming!
for those who still havent seen it, dont despair just yet, I went thru a similar experience with wm1, another *very rare* dusty comet - and that was still an amazing view, even tho it had faded to mag +5, with a 5d dust tail, dust tails are very resilent, and a circumpolar!! 40!!!( 20d wide!!!) degree dust tail (which still cant see in its entirety!) will be an amazing binocular, telescopic sight from dark skies for quite a while to come even with bright near full moon affected views, the binoclar and telescopic views were incredible!! (washed out the film shots a fair bit of course) and with gradient removal techniques on digital stuff, i cant see a problem?
EDIT and v1 also, at +4, 5 mag at very low altitude!, with a 5d dust tail was also a magnificent binocular/ telecopic/photgraphic object!
Last edited by fringe_dweller; 20-01-2007 at 05:41 PM.
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I will have another good look tonight with a beer or two, I hope it hasn't faded to much, fingers crossed.
Still waiting for nightfall in the west.
