Comet 17P/Holmes

[severus]

Apparently Comet 17P/Holmes has reappeared as an "exploding comet" in our skies in the past week, and is visible to the naked eye to the north after sunset. It also was observed doing this in 1892. The cloud surrounding the comet is larger than Jupiter.

 

I wasn't aware of this. I'm going to look for it after the sun sets this evening.

 

HERE

 

[Steve Burke]

Thanks for the heads up!

 

The moon is bright and it's misty and part cloudy here, but there's a suspicious looking object a couple of degrees W of alpha Persei where I don't recall ever seeing such a bright star. It's making a roughly equilateral triangle with alpha and the next star down.

 

If the sky clears shortly I'll have another look tonight.

 

P.S. Just got a good look in a clearer spell. Yep, that's definitely it! In my 15x70 binoculars there's a bright centre with a fainter but still fairly bright surround. No tail though.

 

Shame that the moon is nearby tonight!

Edited October 29, 2007 by Steve Burke

[Guest Rabbit]

Thanks for the heads up!

 

The moon is bright and it's misty and part cloudy here, but there's a suspicious looking object a couple of degrees W of alpha Persei where I don't recall ever seeing such a bright star. It's making a roughly equilateral triangle with alpha and the next star down.

 

Its just somebody night fishing I expect...after all you did say it could be expolsive

[Bobj]

I can see it from the southern hemisphere...20.54deg S from 9.30pm just look out the front door and there it is.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachm...mp;d=1193258122

[Steve Burke]

Any more observations?

 

It's apparently now near Algol (Beta Persei) and much bigger but fainter. I was just getting sorted tonight when my neighbour turned her floodlights on!

 

For a chart go to http://www.cometchasing.skyhound.com/comets/17P.gif

[corydoras]

'kin clouds

[Bobj]

This morning....0434 hrs (Australia)

http://www.heavens-above.com/comet.aspx?ci...3&tz=UCTm10

 

Cloudy here and I'm getting bl**dy annoyed....Trying to get a trip to Kinchant Dam for barramundi fishing and the tail-end of ex cyclone Helen is swatting us....

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/satellite.js...tate&lc=qld