Last night finding the comet was easy. It was right at the end of the top branch of the tree across the street. What I have been doing to find the comet is using binoculars and scanning the area between Aries and Andomeda. I have been starting at 7:45 and I don't think you could see it much past 8:15. In my case it would go below the houses. Last night we had to estimate where andromeda would be using Cassiopia. After you find it one night it is pretty easy to find it the next night because it doesn't move far. After I find it using binoculars I can usually pick up at least to core with the naked eye. Last night, with the naked eye, it looked like a real dim star instead of a fuzzy one. This is a fun time to observe. I have been getting out for an hour or so a couple of times a week. I really enjoy viewing the planets and galaxies. The other neat thing to see is Orion. There are a lot of nebulas in Orion. -----Original Message----- From: Joe Borgione [mailto:jborgion@xmission.com] Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 10:01 AM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Comet Viewing Again I'm setting up right at sundown, about 7:15 or 7:30. By 8:00 it's plenty dark, but elevevation above the horizon (thick atmosphere)enters into the equation. Patricks description using Mars as guidepost is a good one; my description from last night or the day before has you coming in from the other other direction. While the moon is full, it will be rising with the sunset; I found moonlight to be more of problem last week when it was higher earlier in the first quarter. This springtime evening sky is fabulous; four planets are up at the same time, a comet, the pliedes, and a couple of near-neighbor galaxies. Temperatures are mild and you can be home before the 10:00 news. Joe Borgione -------------------
I drove to the west last night and did not manage to see it. Can you give me pointers on what time? The moon was so bright I think it washed out whatever I was looking at, or else I looked too late. Thanks, Joe
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