New Comet a Stunner -- and Visible to Naked Eye

Space.com ^ | 06/09/2010 | Joe Rao

[Frenchtown Dan]

A recently discovered comet is surprising skywatchers by becoming brighter than predictions had first suggested and can now be seen with the unaided eye during the next few weeks.

Comet McNaught, officially catalogued as C/2009 R1, was discovered by Australian astronomer Robert McNaught last September using the using the 0.5-meter Uppsala Schmidt telescope and a CCD camera. It's the 51st comet that bears McNaught's name.

Although initially an extremely faint object, enough observations of the newfound comet were made to allow Brian Marsden of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., to calculate an orbit.

Comet McNaught is expected to pass closest to the sun (perihelion) on July 2, at a distance of 37 million miles (60 million km). This sky map shows where to look in order to spot the comet in the morning sky.

The comet is visible now for people with dark skies away from urban and suburban lighting. By mid-June it may be an easy skywatching target for most people.

[Frenchtown Dan]

Even though it will be visible without one, I think the time has come for me to either purchase or maybe even build a telescope.

[gov_bean_ counter]

http://www.google.com/images?q=comet+automobile&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=TdIQTO7QL9W3nAf_pLT9Bw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDAQsAQwAw
Well, I’m impressed...

[Frenchtown Dan]

Well, I wasn’t thinking about the car, but I happen to like both varieties. I had a friend who had a 66 convertible with a high performance 289. The car was perfect for cruising down the shore with our girl friends.

[Mr. Jazzy]

But I found some new Galaxy’s!!!

http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&tbs=isch:1&sa=1&q=ford+galaxy+for+sale&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

[Mr. Jazzy]

Some used ones, too!

[ETL]

http://media.skyandtelescope.com/documents/WEB_McNaught_Path.pdf

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/94277259.html

[Frenchtown Dan]

Thanks for the links. I’m waiting for a clear morning sky, been cloudy here for the past couple of days.

[dangerdoc]

bump

[The Great RJ]

In ancient times the appearance of a comet portended the end of kings. For example the appearance of Hally’s Comet in 1066 was thought to predict the end the Anglo-Saxon rule of England. Perhaps this comet will similarly be symbolic of the end of the Obama regime.

[ETL]

Perhaps this comet will similarly be symbolic of the end of the Obama regime.

Comet "McNaught" = Comet "McZero".

[Frenchtown Dan]

Nice thought, zero has to go!

[SunkenCiv]

• COMET McNAUGHT

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