Catch McNaught tonight

[1ponders] (Paul) · #1 22-09-2008, 07:39 PM

Comet McNaught (C/2008 A1) looks great tonight. An easy 10x50 binocular object between Libra and Centaurus (Midway between Menkent (Cent) and Brachium (Lib) ).

And while you're at it swing over to the M27 and the Helix. I didn't realize the Helix was such an easy find with binos. Well worth the effort of finding it.

leon · #2 22-09-2008, 07:49 PM

Great Paul, now tell me this is there any coordinates that could give me a chance to swing the Tak over in that direction for a try at imaging it.

leon

Terry B · #3 22-09-2008, 08:00 PM

Anyone got a cloud or thunderstorm filter?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 22-09-2008, 08:06 PM

Leon you will find it at 14 hr 42 min RA and 31 deg 31 min 39 sec Dec (Now)

In fact I could see it easily in my 8X 50 finderscope.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 22-09-2008, 08:07 PM

BTW it is imaging beautifully

Matty P (Matt) · #6 22-09-2008, 08:26 PM

I'd love to observe/image this comet but as usual it is bucketing down with rain and crappy weather all around.

Next time, I guess....

leon · #7 22-09-2008, 08:27 PM

Fantastic Paul, Now let the clouds part, pleeeeeeeessssseeee.

Leon

WadeH (Wade) · #8 22-09-2008, 11:04 PM

Just come inside from observing McNought C/2008 A1.

Hard to find at first as this part of the sky doesnt have many brighter objects. But after using the 10X50 binos (just visable as a small blur) as finders, changed to what are rapidly becoming my comet watching binos, the 30X100's. Great stuff! A good seeable coma with the smallest hint of the nucleus. I'm trying to come to grips lately with size estimation, would about 8' across sound right?