Some Current Comets

[Radar]

Got this info from Jim at the Astro Society of Western Australia. Some comets may be visible at the moment. Worth a look.

2008 A1 McNaught is an easy target for binoculars or small telescopes in
the early evening sky, about 15 degrees below the Southern Cross, around
7th mag and brightening.

6P D'Arrest is in Capricorn in the east, reported around 8th mag but I
haven't seen it myself yet since the Moon went. There is some talk of an
outburst, but probably no more than expected brightening.

85P Boethin has not been spotted yet and has probably disintegrated, but
the optimistic view is that there may still be the prospect of seeing
debris on its expected orbit similar to 73P a couple of years ago, just
don't spend the whole night looking for it.

Cheers

Ray

[Dragon Man]

2008 A1 McNaught is an easy target for binoculars or small telescopes in
the early evening sky, about 15 degrees below the Southern Cross, around
7th mag and brightening.


Cheers

RayThanks Ray,

2008 A1 McNaught sounds promising :woot:

But when you say 'below' Crux, do you mean below as in towards SCP or below as in towards the horizon?

[Radar]

Comet D'Arrest and Boethin are quite close (just under Sagitarrius). Would make a nice wide field shot if anyone is out tonight.

Ray

[Jim G]

Below as in towards the horizon. It passed Mu Vela a couple of days ago and is moving about 90 arc minutes each day relative to the background stars; on September 1st it will lie on a line through the centre of the Cross, Acrux to Gacrux, and about 13 degrees north of Gacrux. should brighten for a few weeks yet into September.

Regards, Jim.

[Jim G]

Ephemeris for A1 for the next few days, might help a bit.
McNaught (C/2008 A1)
Date RA declination Alt Azim
---- -- ----------- ------ ------
23 Aug 2008 19:30 11h19m26.86s -47 14' 55.1" 23.85 227.86
24 Aug 2008 19:30 11h27m19.82s -47 05' 36.6" 24.40 228.32
25 Aug 2008 19:30 11h35m13.97s -46 54' 26.8" 24.94 228.81
26 Aug 2008 19:30 11h43m08.49s -46 41' 24.8" 25.47 229.33
27 Aug 2008 19:30 11h51m02.54s -46 26' 29.7" 26.00 229.88
28 Aug 2008 19:30 11h58m55.28s -46 09' 41.4" 26.52 230.47
29 Aug 2008 19:30 12h06m45.90s -45 51' 00.5" 27.03 231.08
30 Aug 2008 19:30 12h14m33.59s -45 30' 28.0" 27.53 231.72
31 Aug 2008 19:30 12h22m17.59s -45 08' 05.5" 28.01 232.38
1 Sep 2008 19:30 12h29m57.18s -44 43' 55.3" 28.48 233.08
2 Sep 2008 19:30 12h37m31.67s -44 18' 00.1" 28.93 233.80
Regards, Jim

[Jim G]

[QUOTE=Radar;15267]Comet D'Arrest and Boethin are quite close (just under Sagitarrius). Would make a nice wide field shot if anyone is out tonight.

6P D'Arrest is large, 10 arc minutes, but diffuse so not as easy as 2008 A1 McNaught. It would be great to sight the remains of 85P, but you will need a big scope and a lot of luck. Strictly for the optimist, but that's what makes it fun.

Regards, Jim.

[Radar]

Good idea mate. Here are some star maps to show the positions of these three comets.

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[Tenacious Del]

can you post an updated version of that comet map. and are they getting brighter or dimmer?

[Jim G]

Star maps for 2008 A1 McNaught and 6P d'Arrest (with the supposed location of 85P) are attached, I hope. A1 is still in Centaurus , only a couple of degrees from Centaurus A tonight. Seems to have stalled around magnitude 6.8, but may brighten a bit more over the next couple of weeks, so far no tail. 85P is still to be recovered, and 6P d'Arrest is very diffuse and hard to pick until the Moon has gone, but it will be around at its current brightness, around 8.5, for a few weeks yet.

Regards, Jim.

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[Tenacious Del]

thanks for the maps jim.