Who's Going Comet Viewing?

Elspode · 02-23-2009, 06:04 PM

Tonight is Comet Lulin's closest approach to Earth. It is easy to find, just a few fingers width below and slightly to the right of Saturn. It will rise high enough to afford a decent view under dark skies at about 10:00 PM local time wherever you are, and will be optimally placed about 1:00 AM as it rises to its highest point.

Binoculars should provide a good view under sufficiently dark skies. A telescope of any size would be better. At magnitude 5.5 or thereabouts, it is by no means a jaw-dropper, and if you have light pollution or excess moisture in the air, you're gonna be disappointed.

I attempted to observe last night about 11:00 CST, but from my back yard, the water vapor laden air was extremely light polluted, and I could barely - and I do mean *barely* make out a fuzzy patch using 10 x 50 binoculars.

TF and I might consider heading out of town a short distance to try it again tonight, but we are going to be fraught with thin clouds and thus a great deal of water vapor, so it might not be much of an improvement.

Those who can't see it with their own eyes can check in at http://www.ccssc.org/observatory/dar...rksky_cam.html for an all night webcast of the comet through a professional 'scope beginning at 11:00 PM EST.

Hope you all get to see it!

TheMercenary · 02-23-2009, 06:30 PM

Great post Splode! Thanks.

Cicero · 02-23-2009, 06:56 PM

Hey thanks for the link!!

Trilby · 02-24-2009, 07:52 AM

Another comet, eh?

This does not bode well.

*ominous*

glatt · 02-24-2009, 08:09 AM

I've been fairly unimpressed with comets in the past. For example, when Hally's comet came around about 20 years ago, I had unlimited access to the big 12" telescope on the roof of the Physics building where my dad was a prof. I spent hours up there, pointing the telescope at the exact coordinates where the comet was located. And saw nothing. It was much more interesting to point the telescope at the window of the nurses' locker room on the third floor of the hospital about four blocks away.

But I'm going to check this out tonight and see what I can see.

Trilby · 02-24-2009, 09:22 AM

Glatt, those who are unimpressed with comet phenom are unimpressed with life.

glatt · 02-24-2009, 09:42 AM

Yeah, you're right. Sorry to be negative about it. And to be fair, I like the idea of comets, just not so much the reality of what they look like in the night sky the times I've seen them.

wolf · 02-24-2009, 10:17 AM

Hale-Bopp was kinda cool, even before the cult offed itself.

Kahoutek was a big disappointment.

Halley rocked.

SteveDallas · 02-24-2009, 10:31 AM

A massive telescope isn't actually the best for a comet like this. What you want is a wider field of view, and the FOV gets smaller as you add more magnification. Binoculars are great for comet viewing.

TheMercenary · 02-24-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

Hale-Bopp was kinda cool, even before the cult offed itself.

Kahoutek was a big disappointment.

Halley rocked.

I agree, Kahoutek was a downer. I couldn't see it last night as I was at work.

Cicero · 02-24-2009, 03:16 PM

That website was cool. Thanks again.

lumberjim · 02-24-2009, 04:05 PM

LabRat · 02-24-2009, 04:16 PM

I'm more impressed by ones that remove dirt instead of leaving it in their wake...

Shawnee123 · 02-24-2009, 04:59 PM

Anyone remember this from kidhood?

Comet
It makes your mouth turn green.
Comet
It tastes like listerine.
Comet
Will make you vomit.
So get some Comet, and vomit, today.

footfootfoot · 02-24-2009, 05:18 PM

I can't believe this.

02-23-2009, 06:04 PM	#1
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Who's Going Comet Viewing? Tonight is Comet Lulin's closest approach to Earth. It is easy to find, just a few fingers width below and slightly to the right of Saturn. It will rise high enough to afford a decent view under dark skies at about 10:00 PM local time wherever you are, and will be optimally placed about 1:00 AM as it rises to its highest point. Binoculars should provide a good view under sufficiently dark skies. A telescope of any size would be better. At magnitude 5.5 or thereabouts, it is by no means a jaw-dropper, and if you have light pollution or excess moisture in the air, you're gonna be disappointed. I attempted to observe last night about 11:00 CST, but from my back yard, the water vapor laden air was extremely light polluted, and I could barely - and I do mean barely make out a fuzzy patch using 10 x 50 binoculars. TF and I might consider heading out of town a short distance to try it again tonight, but we are going to be fraught with thin clouds and thus a great deal of water vapor, so it might not be much of an improvement. Those who can't see it with their own eyes can check in at http://www.ccssc.org/observatory/dar...rksky_cam.html for an all night webcast of the comet through a professional 'scope beginning at 11:00 PM EST. Hope you all get to see it! __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

02-23-2009, 06:30 PM	#2
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Great post Splode! Thanks. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

02-23-2009, 06:56 PM	#3
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	Hey thanks for the link!! __________________ Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

02-24-2009, 07:52 AM	#4
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Another comet, eh? This does not bode well. ominous __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

02-24-2009, 09:22 AM	#6
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Glatt, those who are unimpressed with comet phenom are unimpressed with life. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

02-24-2009, 08:09 AM	#5
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I've been fairly unimpressed with comets in the past. For example, when Hally's comet came around about 20 years ago, I had unlimited access to the big 12" telescope on the roof of the Physics building where my dad was a prof. I spent hours up there, pointing the telescope at the exact coordinates where the comet was located. And saw nothing. It was much more interesting to point the telescope at the window of the nurses' locker room on the third floor of the hospital about four blocks away. But I'm going to check this out tonight and see what I can see.

02-24-2009, 09:42 AM	#7
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Yeah, you're right. Sorry to be negative about it. And to be fair, I like the idea of comets, just not so much the reality of what they look like in the night sky the times I've seen them.

02-24-2009, 10:17 AM	#8
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Hale-Bopp was kinda cool, even before the cult offed itself. Kahoutek was a big disappointment. Halley rocked. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

02-24-2009, 10:31 AM	#9
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	A massive telescope isn't actually the best for a comet like this. What you want is a wider field of view, and the FOV gets smaller as you add more magnification. Binoculars are great for comet viewing.

02-24-2009, 03:16 PM	#11
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	That website was cool. Thanks again. __________________ Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

02-24-2009, 04:05 PM	#12
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	__________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

02-24-2009, 04:16 PM	#13
LabRat twatfaced two legged bumhole Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,143	I'm more impressed by ones that remove dirt instead of leaving it in their wake... Attached Images __________________ Strength does not come from how much weight you can lift, or how many miles you can run. It comes from knowing that you set a goal, and rose to the challenge. Strength comes from within.

02-24-2009, 04:59 PM	#14
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Anyone remember this from kidhood? Comet It makes your mouth turn green. Comet It tastes like listerine. Comet Will make you vomit. So get some Comet, and vomit, today. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

02-24-2009, 05:18 PM	#15
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	I can't believe this. __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

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