Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Version 1.0 Netnews CMS/BITNET 5/19/85; site PSUVM.BITNET Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ukma!psuvm.bitnet!gms From: GMS@PSUVM.BITNET Newsgroups: net.astro Subject: Re: Halley's Comet naked-eye visible Message-ID: <4093GMS@PSUVM> Date: Wed, 1-Jan-86 14:05:40 EST Article-I.D.: PSUVM.4093GMS Posted: Wed Jan 1 14:05:40 1986 Date-Received: Fri, 3-Jan-86 01:43:21 EST References: 37600006@hpfcla.UUCP Lines: 42 P/Halley has been of naked-eye visibility since at least December 6, when I observed it from the Penn State Observatory atop Black Moshannon Mountain in central Pennsylvania. It was then about 6'th magnitude. I have to point out that the observing sight is a good 30 miles from (and significantly above) any major light sources. Also my eyes were well dark-adapted. From the same spot on December 30 I could also see the comet naked-eye. It was not easier to see then as opposed to the earlier time. It is somewhat brighter, but also smaller, and that combined with its lower altitude are compensating for its closeness to the Sun. Thhough my 8-inch F6 Newtonian reflector, however, it has changed significantly. On the 6'th the coma was large and diffuse (almost 1/2 degree) with a thin, faint tail almost 1.5 degrees long. On the 30'th the nucleus was obvious (and twinkling!), the coma was brighter than before but also smaller, being no more than 15-20 arcminutes across, and the tail was bright and, while still thin and straight, seemed shorter but brighter than before (about 40-50 arcminutes) and seemed to 'fan out' along one side. I am interested in comparing observations with anyone else who has been watching P/Halley with a telesope. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ******* Gerry Santoro ******** * Microcomputer Information & Support Center *********** * Penn State University ******** *** * 101 Computer Building ********** *** * University Park, PA 16802 *************** * (814) 863-4356 ************ * ********* * GMS @ PSUVM (bitnet) ******* ** * santoro @ penn-state (csnet) ***** ** * ...!psuvax1!psuvm.bitnet!gms (uucp) **** * gms%psuvm.bitnet@wscvm.arpa (arpa) *** * *******