New Comet Comming
October 17th 2007 10:45
This month marks the first return of a new periodic comet named C/2007 F1 (LONEOS) discovered in 1998 by Yuji Ohshima.
Most comets can be very difficult to see especially for people living near on in brightly lit urban areas. On average there are many comets that make a round trip around the Sun every year most of these comets are very dim and not visible with the naked eye. On accessions we are treated to a spectacular appearance by a bright come like comet Mc Naught that appeared in January this year.
The last comet although not as bright as comet Mc Naught was Halley’s comet in 1986 you will have to go back 37 years when in comet West make a was absolutely stunning it had a very broad and tall dust trail. Comet West remained my most spectacular astronomical sight for 20 years; it has since been equaled by Comets Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp.
Currently LONEOS is visible in the northern hemisphere but we in Australia can begin to see the comet in early November as it makes it s way around the Sun. It will be visible just after sunset ,you should be able to see it with the naked eye but a pair of binoculars will be very handy. I will try and have some more information available on where to look in forthcoming blogs later this month. When comets approach the Sun they may become brighter or in some cases the comet may be destroyed due to the strong gravitational forces of the Sun.
C/2007 F1 (LONEOS) Photo courtesy M. Jager
Most comets can be very difficult to see especially for people living near on in brightly lit urban areas. On average there are many comets that make a round trip around the Sun every year most of these comets are very dim and not visible with the naked eye. On accessions we are treated to a spectacular appearance by a bright come like comet Mc Naught that appeared in January this year.
Comet Mc Naught seen earlier this year Photo: R. H. McNaught, Siding Spring Observatory
The last comet although not as bright as comet Mc Naught was Halley’s comet in 1986 you will have to go back 37 years when in comet West make a was absolutely stunning it had a very broad and tall dust trail. Comet West remained my most spectacular astronomical sight for 20 years; it has since been equaled by Comets Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp.
Comet West in early March 1976. Photo courtesy Peter Stättmayer ESA
Currently LONEOS is visible in the northern hemisphere but we in Australia can begin to see the comet in early November as it makes it s way around the Sun. It will be visible just after sunset ,you should be able to see it with the naked eye but a pair of binoculars will be very handy. I will try and have some more information available on where to look in forthcoming blogs later this month. When comets approach the Sun they may become brighter or in some cases the comet may be destroyed due to the strong gravitational forces of the Sun.
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Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
You have inspired me to write about Halley's Comet and when I first heard of its existence in the early sixties, from my grandmother, who saw Halley's Comet as a child.
cheers
fog
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
I am pleased for once that I am a source of inspiration. I have acused of a lot of things in the past, insperation was not one of them (LOL)
Interesting you should mention your grandmother who saw Comet Halley's as a child.
My father saw it twice the first time was in 1910 and again in 1986. He told me that there was a lot of stories about how the comet would be close to the Earth and indeed it was relatively close pass in 1910 when the Earth passed through the dust trail of the comet and produced many meteor showers.
It is always a great event when you ge to see a bright comet.
Cheers