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[Centaur]

Comet McNaught is a bright one. Over the next few days it will be visible for Chicagoans briefly after sunset and before sunrise. For a full description, click the link below to a Sky & Telescope article.

skytonight.com/observing/home/5089276.html

Below are the comet's coordinates at five-day intervals this month. The dates are for 00:00 UT, which is 18:00 CST the previous day.

---Date------------RA------------Dec---------AU-

2006 12 31 -- 18:37.03 -- S 07°56.4’ -- 1.363
2007 01 05 -- 18:59.50 -- S 07°36.6’ -- 1.179
2007 01 10 -- 19:31.41 -- S 10°08.3’ -- 0.963
2007 01 15 -- 20:10.21 -- S 23°46.6’ -- 0.818
2007 01 20 -- 20:34.69 -- S 38°17.5’ -- 0.875
2007 01 25 -- 20:51.57 -- S 46°20.7’ -- 0.985
2007 01 30 -- 21:05.96 -- S 51°05.2’ -- 1.096

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Comet McNaught - C/2006 P1

Using binoculars, look for Comet McNaught 20 to 40 minutes after sunset. The bright sky may swamp most of its tail, leaving just a point of light. Venus, and possibly Altair, can guide you to the comet's location.

Spaceweather.com

For high-latitude observers, the comet is equally easy to spot both before dawn and after sunset. (Make that equally difficult.) After January 6th it becomes mainly an evening target. But no matter where you live it stays lower than Venus in the bright twilight throughout the next week or so, as shown in the diagram above.

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This comet is hugging the Sun too tight, and laying low on our horizons and in the atmospheric muck. I doubt city dwellers can catch this one, even is it's predicted to be a minus (-) magnitude object.

But, it's always worth trying... ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

McNaught hanging brightly on horizons

Source: Spaceweather.com

Reports of McNaught sightings are many now, and Chicago Astronomer Bill has already caught glimpse of it here in Chicago's polluted skies, with Venus for company.

Here are finder charts for Comet McNaught:

For January - (Best time to catch it)

After maximum Comet Brightness

Courtesy: www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2006P1/2006P1.html

A great comet site!...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

How bright will Comet McNaught get?

This is a side-by-side from Jan. 6th and Jan. 7th showing the difference a day makes. Both photos were taken at 5:36pm local time - Alberta, Canada.

Canon 350D, 300mm lens, f10, ISO 200, 1s exposure - spaceweather.com

Complicating any guesstimates is the fact that it passes almost between Earth and Sun. For example, Joseph N. Marcus has assessed the degree to which the comet’s gas and dust will forward-scatter sunlight in a paper posted on Astrosite Groningen. He concludes this enhancing effect could help the comet reach magnitude –3 to –5, about as bright as Venus!

Robert H. McNaught discovered this unexpected visitor last August 7th with the 20-inch Uppsala Schmidt telescope on Siding Spring Mountain in Australia. It was then in Ophiuchus and much fainter than Pluto, but calculations at the Minor Planet Center soon showed that it would brighten dramatically. It was inward bound toward perihelion on January 12th, due to pass just 0.17 astronomical unit from the Sun (half Mercury’s distance). But it has recently been lurking beyond the Sun, as seen from Earth, so the prospects for a bright comet were difficult to assess until the start of this year.

Source: skytonight.com/observing/highlights/5089276.html

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It will quite a treat to catch this bright comet. Haven't seen a good one since Hyakutake & Hale-Bopp in the mid '90's.

[stargazer]

I saw this comet last night naked eye from my porch. It was pretty. I also look for it in the am hours before I take Cj to the bus stop. I could barley make out the tail but it was there.

B

[atomant]

Joe, that was simply a sweet Comet.
Can't wait for you to post pics.
If weather holds up tomorrow, I might try again......

[dakotaskyman]

I live in Hazen,North Dakota and was able to view the comet for about 20 minutes tonight,easily seen with the naked eye here,could also see the tail,spectatular view with binoculars.
Charlie

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Hey Charlie,

Welcome to the Chicago Astronomer and thanks for your first post.

Great to have someone in N.D. sharing their astronomical experiences and I bet North Dakota skies are quite dark and that comet tail is spectacular!...

Hope to see you here often.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

SOHO shows Comet McNaught

Source: www.space.com/spacewatch/soho_lasco_c3_live.html

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Here it comes...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

SOHO Prepares For Comet Mcnaught

Recently, sky watchers in the Northern Hemisphere have been enjoying the sight of Comet McNaught in the twilight sky. Now, solar physicists using the ESA-NASA SOHO spacecraft are getting ready for their view. For four days in January, the comet will pass through SOHO's line of sight and could be the brightest comet SOHO has ever seen. As Comet McNaught heads towards its closest approach to the Sun on 12 January 2007, it will disappear from view for earthbound observers, becoming lost in the Sun's glare. That's where SOHO comes in. Poised in space between the Earth and Sun, SOHO ceaselessly watches the Sun and objects that pass nearby.

Comet McNaught will pass within a fifth of the distance between the Earth and the Sun. As the comet approaches the Sun, the amount of dust and gas it releases will increase dramatically, causing the comet to become extremely bright. "This might become the brightest comet SOHO has ever seen," says Bernhard Fleck, SOHO Project Scientist.

The material ejected from the comet forms the tails. There are two tails, the dust tail and the gas - or ion - tail. The dust tail is the brighter and is formed by the intense sunlight forcing dust particles away from the comet. The solar wind, a constant stream of material flowing from the Sun, drags ionized gas from the comet to create the ion-tail.

Comet McNaught is moving through space on an inclined orbit. This will carry it above the Sun's north pole and across the Sun's equator, a place where there is a reversal of the magnetic properties of the solar wind. Crossing this boundary could cause the comet's ion-tail to fragment. Observations of such events are generally very rare, so SOHO's images of comet McNaught constitute an exciting opportunity for scientists.

After SOHO's work is finished, the comet will emerge from the Sun's glare and become visible again to earthbound sky watchers in the Southern Hemisphere. "It could become a really bright object in the twilight sky," says Fleck. The ghostly veils of a bright comet are amongst the most spectacular of sights that can be seen in the night sky.

Between 12 and 15 January, Comet McNaught will not be visible from Earth but everyone can still track the comet's passage near the Sun by looking at the SOHO images at Hotshots.

Source: www.spacedaily.com/reports/SOHO_Prepares_For_Comet_Mcnaught_999.html

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What a great opportunity it has been to view this comet.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer Ranks #1 #2 & #3 on Google "Chicago McNaught Searches"

And #2 & #3 in general McNaught searches...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

STEREO Captures McNaught

K. Battams, Interferometrics, Inc., and Naval Research
Laboratory, reports that images of comet C/2006 P1 obtained on Jan. 11 with the SECCHI/HI-1B instrument on the NASA STEREO-B spacecraft . The images show a curved, striated dust tail some 7 degrees long, the bright coma being heavily saturated due to its brightness. "

Images are available at the following website URL:
ares.nrl.navy.mil/sungrazer/index.php?p=latest_news.

ares.nrl.navy.mil/sungrazer/images/hi1b_comet.jpg

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And check out the new SOHO movie with Mercury and Comet McNaught moving in relation to the Sun.

sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/LATEST/current_c3.mpg

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

McNaught Photographed in Broad Daylight

On the evening of January 9th, Meade 4M Advisors David and Wendee Levy along with Dr. Edith Levy observed the comet through binoculars just a few minutes before it set in the western sky. They recorded a tail that stretched at least 3 degrees. After the comet reached perihelion today, the 12th (the closest point to the Sun) we imaged the comet at high noon. It was the first time David and Wendee have ever taken an image of a comet in broad daylight.

Comet McNaught will head south quickly and be lost to view from northern hemisphere observers. We have at best one or two more days to view the comet from the northern hemisphere.

Source: www.meade4M.com

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If it were only clear here, I would give daylight spotting a try.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

McNaught Now Seen in Daylight Skies

Okay, this is unprecedented. The really bright Comet McNaught is now so bright that you can see it in the daytime. It's extremely close to the Sun, so you need a way that you can block the glare of the Sun, but still see the sky.

Find a building with a shadow that you can lurk in. Then look around the sky to see the comet. I cant tell you which side of the Sun the comet will be on, because it all depends on where you are on the Earth, so try out a few locations. The comet should be about a fist-widths distance (held up at arms length) away from the Sun, so it will be close.

The comet is now magnitude -5, making it the brightest since Ikeya-Seki in 1965. It it may get even brighter.

You may not see anything at first, but don't give up. Scan the blue sky until your eyes alight upon the comet. Once seen, you'll wonder how you could've missed it.

This weekend is a special time for Comet McNaught because it is passing close to the sun. Solar heat is causing the comet to vaporize furiously and brighten to daylight visibility.

Binoculars dramatically improve the view of the comet, allowing you to see structure within the tail. But please be super-careful not to look at the sun. Direct sunlight through binoculars can cause permanent eye damage.

Source: spaceweather.com/comets/mcnaught/13jan07/Vornhusen1_strip2.jpg

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

C/2006 P1 (McNaught)--Daily Ephemeris

Here is all you need to know in locating the comet using setting circles or a star chart. It will be kinda tough during the daylight hours, but it least it will give a good direction.

Source: cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/Ephemerides/Comets/2006P1_1.html

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer McNaught Pics making the rounds

I had a good time shooting Comet McNaught and enjoyed the results. Apparently other think so too. A German comet site has listed my shots/link among the worlds astrophotographers.

Link: www.kometen.info/2006p1.htm

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Commets received so far from around the net:

*Very nice chicagoastro! Thank you for sharing!!!
*Great stuff !
*Thanks for sharing Joe....Rick.
*Joe, great capture. Last evening was my first glimpse of it. It's been cloudy up until then, and we are socked in with clouds again. By the time I got in and got my camera, about 3 minutes, it was gone, obscured by clouds.
*Cool stuff .. wonder where i have to go for Brisbane Australia .

www.canons3is.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1823

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* Looks like you've been at this for awhile...I enjoyed cruising your site, and will go back when I have a little more time.
Nice job on the comet....some of the nicer pics I've seen.
*I enjoy seeing the pics from you people lucky enough to have seen McNaught. I particularly like your pic taken on the 10th, it's super. Well done sir.
*Those are great shots. Thank you for sharing them.
*Those are 2 very nice pics you have. Well done.
*Those are great shots. Congrats on the capture.
*A Job well done. Thanks for sharing Joe
*Those were a couple of nice photos of the comet.
*Very nice i struck out with clouds.

forum.ourdarkskies.com/index.php?showtopic=15932

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*Despite of the light pollution you were lucky enough to have it on a relatively dark background. And you did a great job with your Powershot!
*Amazing!
*Great post, we haven't seen many posts of the Comet. Least you got to see it and capture it hooray for you.
*Joe, great first post!
That anything above can be seen from under Chicago skys from Oct. to Feb. is unusual enough. I haven't even tried lookig for McNaught yet. I gather I'm too late now to get a decent view.
*great 1st post thanks for sharing

dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=51430&page=2&highlight=mcnaught

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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Comet seen in NZ skies may be brightest in centuries

Known as Comet McNaught, it was only spotted for the first time last August by Australian professional astronomer Robert McNaught, when it was just a faint fuzzy blob.

Mr Carter said the comet had brightened up more than anyone expected as the icy lump orbited the sun, ice and dust coming off its surface reflecting sunlight.

"McNaught is now the brightest comet in more than 40 years. . .and it may become the brightest in centuries," Mr Carter said.

Nasa astronomer Tony Phillips told The Associated Press McNaught could turn out to be the brightest comet in recorded history: "It will remain a spectacular comet for weeks, perhaps months, in the Southern Hemisphere".

The comet made its closest approach to the sun – 25 million kilometres – over the weekend and is now moving away, which means it will be easiest to spot in the evening twilight.

Dr McNaught works at the research school of astronomy and astrophysics of the Australian National University. He is a prolific discoverer of asteroids and the comet was the 31st to carry his name.

Mr Phillips said Comet McNaught was six times brighter than Hale-Bopp in 1997 and 100 times brighter than Halley's Comet when it appeared in 1986.

"It will remain a spectacular comet for weeks, perhaps months, in the Southern Hemisphere," he said.

Source: tinyurl.com/y7fb2g

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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Daytime Observation Attempt

The skies were free of clouds today, and with the Sun shining brightly I tried to catch McNaught in broad daylight.

I got my 10x50 binoculars and with my next door building structure occulting the Sun, I scanned the western area of the solar disk for any sign.

Nothing.

The area was quite bright and I feared for an accidental peek at the disk when shifting my weight. I got my polarizer filter lens and placed it on the objective. It made viewing the area a bit more comfortable, so I continued to scan.

Nothing.

There was a canopy of high thin clouds/ice so perhaps the comet was hidden. I'll try again tomorrow if it's clear, but I don't anticipate success. I don't know how others are seeing this.

*Note: Trying to observe the comet this close to the Sun in broad daylight is quite hazardous. I do not encourage anyone to locate it in the manner I did...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Comet McNaught Spectacular Display from South Africa

Nikon D2X, 120mm lens, f/5.3, 9sec, ISO 200

"Here in Argentina, Comet McNaught is a real hit. It's a wonderful sight after sunset," reports Mariano Ribas of Buenos Aires. "The comet's magnitude is around -3, and its bright and curved tail is easy to see with the naked eye: image."

The comet is widely visible from all parts of the Southern Hemisphere. This Jan. 17th photo comes from Kevin Crause of Mossel Bay, South Africa:

Source: spaceweather.com/

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This great shot from South Africa shows the delicate dust trails, but I have not seen any photos of the separate gas tail we often see with sun grazing comets.

This would have been good for a NASA probe to collect material. We would be a story is what the astronauts on the ISS are seeing out their port windows. Not a single story or image out of them....I wonder why?

A fantasic comet to have observed!... ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

McNaught's Wispy Tail paints the southern Horizon

Even after the comet set last night, McNaught's tail remained in view, drawing oohs and aahs from sky watchers in Cromwell, New Zealand: "It looks like the fin of a great fish swimming through the night sky," says photographer Minoru Yoneto who has been out to see McNaught almost every night. "Please, give me some sleep!" he begs.

Nikon D50, 20sec, f1.8 50mm lens, ISO 1600.

Many hundreds of people waited on the hills above Christchurch, NZ this evening for the cloud band to disappear and they were treated to a wonderful sight.

Photo details: Canon 20D, ISO400, lens 24mm, 35mm, and 200mm piggybacked on Celestron C8

Source: www.spaceweather.com/

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Visit SpaceWeather.com for a lot more great images!... ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

McNaught Movie

Chris Picking,
Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand
Jan. 23, 2007

A short animated sequence of the comet as it sets. These were taken over a 25 minute period. Clouds move over the comet at the end of the sequence.

Photo details: Individual images were taken using a Canon 10D, 18mm lens at f4.0, ISO800 and exposure times of 1 minute each.

Source: Spaceweather.com

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A fantastic photographic effort New Zealand.

If I would have thought of it, I would have made a movie too!

D'oh!...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Astronomy Picture of the Day

On January 26, people from Perth, Australia gathered on a local beach to watch a sky light up with delights near and far. Nearby, fireworks exploded as part of Australia Day celebrations.

On the far right, lightning from a thunderstorm flashed in the distance. Near the image center, though, seen through clouds, was the most unusual sight of all: Comet McNaught. The photogenic comet was so bright that it even remained visible though the din of Earthly flashes. Comet McNaught continues to move out from the Sun and dim, but should remain visible in southern skies with binoculars through the end of this month.

The above image is actually a three photograph panorama digitally processed to reduce red reflections from the exploding firework.

Source: antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap070205.html

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I like this image...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

High Resolution Views of Comet McNaught’s Nucleus

Comet McNaught, one of the brightest comets in last few decades recently swept past the Sun, providing a beautiful show. Unfortunately, the comet was so low to the horizon that only viewers in the Southern hemisphere were able to see its brightest point.

This low horizon view was a problem for Earth-based observatories as well. Many aren’t able to look down towards the horizon, which is murky anyway from atmospheric turbulence.

The European Southern Observatory’s New Technology Telescope does have the ability to point down to the horizon, and was able to deliver this image of Comet McNaught’s nucleus.

The photograph shows three spiral jets of material are pouring off the comet as it rotates. Astronomers were able to analyze the chemicals in these jets and determine which were present in the comet’s atmosphere.

Source: www.eso.org/outreach/press-rel/pr-2007/pr-07-07.html

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No wonder it was such a great display from this surprise comet. It corkscrewed material as it travelled.