Post by Centaur on Jun 13, 2011 20:54:50 GMT -6
JPL issued an updated orbital solution for Comet Elenin on 2011 JUN 12. The only significant difference is a lowering (brightening) of the estimated peak brilliance to magnitude +5.9 on SEP 18. The previous estimate was +6.6. The IAU predicts +5.8, so the two estimates have come to essential agreement after converging from earlier differences. At the time of peak brilliance the comet will be only 16° east of the Sun and poorly positioned after sunset for northern hemisphere observers around the time of the autumnal equinox.
For those who are concerned, this is a tiny comet only a few kilometers in diameter and will come hardly any closer than Venus often does. Its miniscule gravitation has produced no detectable perturbations of solar system bodies. It is not hiding a larger body as suggested by silly rumors that have grown like wildfire on woo woo websites. Millions of worldwide astronomers, both professional and amateur, are not involved in a leak-proof conspiracy to hide the truth from the ignorant masses. For those who have binoculars or telescopes, take pleasure in what you are able to see during the coming months. However, this will be a difficult object for naked eyes.
I’ve updated my Comet Elenin charts. An animation is included. They can be seen at www.CurtRenz.com/comets
Photos and descriptions of the comet would be welcome additions to this thread.
For those who are concerned, this is a tiny comet only a few kilometers in diameter and will come hardly any closer than Venus often does. Its miniscule gravitation has produced no detectable perturbations of solar system bodies. It is not hiding a larger body as suggested by silly rumors that have grown like wildfire on woo woo websites. Millions of worldwide astronomers, both professional and amateur, are not involved in a leak-proof conspiracy to hide the truth from the ignorant masses. For those who have binoculars or telescopes, take pleasure in what you are able to see during the coming months. However, this will be a difficult object for naked eyes.
I’ve updated my Comet Elenin charts. An animation is included. They can be seen at www.CurtRenz.com/comets
Photos and descriptions of the comet would be welcome additions to this thread.
