McNaught has reminded me of my first comet experience, when I was in 10th grade at Skyline HS in SLC. My physics teacher, Mr. Budge (or "Space Monkey," as we affectionately called him) alerted our class to the visibility of a bright comet in the morning skies. This would have been during the winter of 1969-70, so I believe that it was Comet Bennett. I had my Dad wake me up very early to take a peak out the back door. It was very bright, and if memory serves, it appeared to have a bright, white tail perhaps 5 to 10 degrees long. I don't recall seeing any color or both an ion and a dust tail. I remember seeing it only in the AM, over the Wasatch Mts. east of SLC. Does anyone else have memories of Comet Bennett? or have his/her own fond memories of Space Monkey, as well? Another great comet on anyone's list should be Shoemaker-Levy 9, for its spectacular breakup and collision with Jupiter. Not great for most terrestrials, but I think most Jovians/Europans (and any other inhabitants of the Jovian system) should have been impressed. I've enjoyed reading all the comments about McNaught. Am I too late to try to see it in daylight, assuming that it's clear tomorrow? Where should I be looking? I tried today, but I don't think I was looking in the right place. Thanks, Kim
I had trouble seeing it today, only in the 15x70mm bino; couldn't see it naked-eye at all. Any cloud will make it difficult or impossible. Patrick has a good strategy for daytime observation: Note what time it transits from your location. Then you just sweep in RA on the meridian until you pick it up. Kim, plug-in the orbital elements from the Harvard site that Daniel and Patrick posted, into your planetarium program. Then you can pin-point the comet for any time, on any day. I did this today and now I'm set, until it fades completely away. --- Kim <kimharch@cut.net> wrote:
Am I too late to try to see it in daylight, assuming that it's clear tomorrow? Where should I be looking? I tried today, but I don't think I was looking in the right place.
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participants (2)
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Chuck Hards -
Kim