[BenLurkin]

Facing east around 4 a.m. local time in late August, you’ll see the winter constellations Gemini and Orion. 67P/C-G’s path is shown through early September. Brighter stars near the path are labeled. Time shown is 4 a.m. CDT. Use this map to get oriented and then switch to the one below for telescope use. Source: Chris Marriott’s SkyMap

[BenLurkin]

While you won’t see it this close, Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is now at its best in the morning sky. This sequence of images, taken with Rosetta’s OSIRIS narrow-angle camera from 115 miles (185 km) away on July 30, 2015, show a boulder-sized object close to the comet’s nucleus. The object measures anywhere between 3 – 165 feet across (1- 50 meters) across. The exact size can’t be determined since its distance from the spacecraft isn’t known. Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA

[BenLurkin]

Ping

The surface of Comet 67P/C-G is extensively fractured due to loss of volatile ices, the expansion and contraction of the comet from solar heating and bitter cold and possibly even tectonic forces. The smaller polygonal shapes outlined by fractures in the lower right photo are just 6-16 feet (2-5 meters) across. Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA

[MarchonDC09122009]

Speaking of ELE space objects, where can we get a good look at incoming Wormwood asteroid / Red Kachina meteor? /s

[yarddog]

I remember when Halley’s comet came through in the 80s. I bought an inexpensive telescope but now that I think about it, I don’t recall even getting to see it.

When the one came through, I can’t remember the name, but it was the one where all those people committed suicide, I got out my spotting scope and saw it fairly well.

It was only a 22X60mm Celestron but it was a good one. It had several ED glass elements.

Maybe I will try again.

[ml/nj]

The comet glows right around magnitude +12

So not exactly something that would have wowed the ancients.

ML/NJ

[Nailbiter]

ping