Comet McNaught..viewing around Melbourne - Page 6

mojo (Terry) · #**101** 23-01-2007, 11:01 PM

ah well. It just wasn't to be in Melbourne tonight. Soooo glad we at least got one clear night last night.
Did anybody manage to get the angle on the clouds tonight?

Starkler (Geoff) · #**102** 23-01-2007, 11:09 PM

I went for a drive a bit further out of town tonight, near LangLang.
I got about 10-15 min of decent comet viewing before the cloud swallowed it up.
It did seem less visible compared to last night, probably because of the higher and brighter moon.

mojo (Terry) · #**103** 23-01-2007, 11:19 PM

From the few minutes of it that we managed to see, it's a lot dimmer than last night. But that might be due to the 'misty' cloud between the thick black clouds, as well.

Not too disappointed though. I still have last night's viewing burnt into my brain

erick (Eric) · #**104** 23-01-2007, 11:41 PM

In the south east we had no cloud problem. I was busy with a meeting, but at the close, I set up my binoculars for all to observe. Naked-eye visible, no problem - everyone could see it - but probably fainter than last night (but last night I was viewing it almost directly over the CBD lights, so it is hard to compare).

I had several super excited people who didn't know about it and the usual "Is it going to hit us?" questions.

I observed on and off from 9:30 to 10:30 without a cloud problem.

Interestingly, when I turned the binoculars (12x) on the crescent moon, the "Oooohs" and "Aaaahs" from the viewers were even louder!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**105** 23-01-2007, 11:45 PM

I have looking at it all night on & off.

Still easy to see at the moment but the nucleus has gone below the horizon.

Was a bit of hazy cloud earlier but looks terrific now. Yes, it does seem a tad fainter than last night, but the moon is a tad brighter too.

Tamtarn · #**106** 24-01-2007, 12:38 AM

Here's my best shot from tonight.....Nothing outstanding but due to the fact that it was taken with my little Cybershot I'm pleased with the result

Click image for larger version

Name: Picture 443 - e (Small).jpg
Views: 82
Size: 24.1 KB
ID: 22599

This was taken at home looking across the valley. Wasn't as bright tonight but still clearly in view for about an hour then faded a bit due to light cloud cover.

Barb

astro_nutt · #**107** 24-01-2007, 09:47 AM

A nice writeup in today's paper...even though it will fade from naked eye viewing ..it'll still prove a spectacular sight through the eyepiece on a dark night..plenty to offer yet!!..BTW..nice shot Barb!
Cheers!

erick (Eric) · #**108** 24-01-2007, 11:06 PM

Thought I'd try my backyard tonight - and no camera - just drink in the view using my 20x80s - have only used 11x60s to date.

Didn't take too long to pick it up using the 11x60s - but my yard is heavily treed so I had to find the magic spots where I could set up the binoculars and watch the comet sink between the trees. After about 40 minutes, the clouds rolled in and spoiled the show - but it was wonderful watching the first several degrees of the tail become visible as the sky darkened.

Well, I think that is it for me for a while - except early morning - I think I will be out on the first clear early morning (Friday??) to see it in a completely different "light".

rasc88 · #**109** 25-01-2007, 09:24 AM

Hi there!

So here I am in Melbourne for two nights with my bino and my camera and my tripod to see the comet (and make some business) - and frankly speaking I am very suprised how chilly it is (After KL and Singapore). Brrr...

Anyhow, I see no smoke or haze and I hope the clouds would dissappear during the day - so where best to go from downtown (Collins Street) to see the comet? Erick recommended Brighton beach. Would that be still OK under current conditions or should I rent a car and go somewhere else in the outskirts? Or is there a high spot with some nice foreground (but little light pollution) so I can make some nice pictures? I only was once in Melbourne for some days, so I have little clue about the outskirts and surrounding area.

Cheers

Ralf from Hong Kong

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Hi rasc88

We wish we could clearly answer your questions, BUT we've hardly seen it yet due to the cloud and rain. And if the cloud and rain clears, we could always have thick bushfire smoke roll in over the city (which was the problem last Monday night).

But let me give you my answers (others may have other views)

1. I'd recommend that you take a taxi down to Brighton Beach on the Eastern side of Port Philip Bay. That won't be too far. Ask the driver to take you along the roads by the Bay until you see a spot that you like. The WSW view here is out over the water. I haven't heard of any organised gatherings.

....

Have a great visit and tell us how you went.

Eric

erick (Eric) · #**110** 25-01-2007, 11:37 AM

Ralf, no promises now, but the weather forecast is for a lovely few days - therefore tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow night (Friday) might be superb viewing.

Tonight I'm busy so cannot get out myself.

Check this thread to understand the conditions down beside Port Philip Bay (eg. Brighton Beach):-

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=16759

Here is a photograph from Brighton beach (thanks to danielsun):-

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/a...7&d=1169630037

There are plenty of opportunities around Melbourne - you'll need to search through some of the threads here and look at the images to get ideas.

However, Friday night, I'm tempted to head for dark skies - a place called Snake Valley, about 2 hrs drive west from the city. This is, however, subject to wife's permission!! After comet, you'll also get some good southern sky viewing - though we are starting to get some moonlight. Ralf, send me a private message with a contact phone number, if you are interested.

Hey Ken, any chance of using the clubroom Friday night?

Eric

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #**111** 25-01-2007, 01:39 PM

I think I will be heading to Brighton Beach tonight (Thursday) around 9:30 or so. If you get there, you will see a playground right at the car park at the end of North Rd. I will be about 20 metres north (toward the city) around behind some trees...you are welcome to say hi!

I also expect to be there on Friday night if you are not busy.

EzyStyles (Eric) · #**112** 25-01-2007, 05:57 PM

welcome to IIS Raf. I'm from Hong Kong also

The best place to go is Brighton beach from where you are. I was there Monday and last night. Although last night was disappointing, I will be going down there tonight again and maybe tomorrow

Dave47tuc (David) · #**113** 25-01-2007, 06:53 PM

I have been lucky with 3 nights of clear skies from home and looking clear tonight. Moon is getting brighter

so the comet will seem fainter.

I even had a quick viewing session on the local footy oval. Lots of happy people, that where rapt to see the Comet.

I should have charged a buck or two

astro_nutt · #**114** 26-01-2007, 01:11 AM

Most of the patrons in my workplace had a peek outside tonight and were amazed..even though it's faint!..I'm pretty sure scope and bino sales were up a bit during all this!!..not much longer and it'll be too faint to see naked eye...but it should prove to be spectacular against a dark sky in any case!

mojo (Terry) · #**115** 26-01-2007, 02:30 AM

We went out towards Ballarat tonight. I have no idea where we ended up now. Somewhere near a Lavender farm. We never saw the lavender but we saw the signs (Ken?).
Excellent views from a gravel dead-end road in the middle of nowhere. I forgot just how bright stars are in the country. Must get out there more.

erick (Eric) · #**116** 26-01-2007, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojo

We went out towards Ballarat tonight. I have no idea where we ended up now. Somewhere near a Lavender farm. We never saw the lavender but we saw the signs (Ken?).
Excellent views from a gravel dead-end road in the middle of nowhere. I forgot just how bright stars are in the country. Must get out there more.

That's why I joined SVAA, Terry. I just gotta have - DARK SKIES!