Comet McNaught’s feathery tail, visible mainly after sunset in the Southern hemisphere, but also reported visible low on the western horizon after sunset in the Northern Hemisphere. One of the brightest comets ever, McNaught is fading as it speeds away toward the outer solar system/image by Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran, Australia
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Posted in Space
Comet McNaught is brightening so much as it nears the sun–the heat making the rocky snowball vaporize furiously–that it is becoming visible in daylight, which could make it the brightest one in centuries. Tricky to find, though, because it’s close to the sun. Spaceweather.com advises: "Go outside and stand in the shadow of a building (or billboard) so that the glare of the sun is blocked out. Make a fist and hold it at arm’s length. The comet is about one fist-width east of the sun." Bincoulars will allow you to see the structure within the comet’s tail, but be careful not to look at the sun. You don’t want a black (burned) spot in your eyes forever after. Comet pix here to see what you’re looking for.
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Posted in Science/Engineering, Space
Tagged Comet McNaught, visible in daylight
This could be the best night to see Comet McNaught (C/2006 P1), brightening as it speeds towards the sun. It’s visible both at sunset and at dawn if you have a clear view of the horizon. At sunset, it shows up in the twilight as soon as the sun is down. In the morning, it emerges just before the sun rises. Looks even better in 10X50 binoculars. More images here./photo over Johnston, Iowa last night by Stan Richard, Iowa Public Television.
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Posted in Science/Engineering, Space
Tagged C/2006 P1, Comet McNaught, space weather
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