Comet Chasing
March 21st 2009 14:37
Comet Lulin as seen late last year you can still see Lulin under ideal conditions untill the end of March 2009
Comets are rather elusive objects to see, the main reason is that they are mostly composed of gas dust and ice particles they don’t have much substance being a dirty snow ball of gas. The other factor is that they are very distant objects and are not easily spotted like planets. Yet despite all the negatives they are fascinating objects to see when they venture close to our solar system.
Conditions in my neck of the woods are not great at the moment as we are nearing the end of the wet season so it’s not the best time of year for star gazing.
This year (2009)comets are plentiful comet Lulin made an appearance earlier this year now comet Kopff is making an appearance at the end of March through until May. Kopff is not very bright at the moment at magnitude 12 so it not quite visible with the naked eye just yet.
Other comets making an appearance are
59P/Kearns-Kwee March
P/McNaught (2008 J3) Mar ch
P/Van Ness (2002 Q1) March
145P/Shoemaker-Levy Mar 26.
199P/Shoemaker (2008 G2) April
22P/Kopff April May
Most comets mentioned in this blog will not be visible with the naked eye but it is still fun to try comets are mostly predictable but at times they can put on a great burst of light as seen last year with comet Holmes.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Thank you for the comments.
If you’re looking for a telescope might I suggest first the purchasing a pair of binoculars this will give you a wide field of view without the expense of a moderate telescope . With a magnification of 10x50.
If your just starting out a pair of binoculars as a way to go then move on to a moderate telescope.
There are many types of telescopes I prefer a reflecting telescope a 6in. to 8 inch telescope would be ideal to start.
I will post some more information on telescopes in the near future.
Cheers
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief