Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site bmcg.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!bmcg!dann From: dann@bmcg.UUCP (Dann McCreary) Newsgroups: net.astro Subject: Re: StarDate: March 2 Predawn Stargazing (COMET REPORT) Message-ID: <2060@bmcg.UUCP> Date: Tue, 4-Mar-86 13:39:14 EST Article-I.D.: bmcg.2060 Posted: Tue Mar 4 13:39:14 1986 Date-Received: Fri, 7-Mar-86 03:18:35 EST References: <450@utastro.UUCP> Reply-To: dann@bmcg.UUCP (Dann McCreary) Organization: Burroughs Corp. ASG, San Diego, CA. Lines: 66 Keywords: Comet Halley Summary: Comet viewing from Escondido, CA In article <450@utastro.UUCP> dipper@utastro.UUCP (Debbie Byrd) writes: > >So that's Saturn, Mars and the star Antares -- near the moon Monday >morning. And by the way there's another solar system object in the >predawn sky now -- Comet Halley -- back from its travels behind the >sun. The comet is now low in the southeast before dawn -- and still >best seen from a country location. Moonlight may interfere with the >view in the morning -- but the moon is now waning -- and the best time >to see Halley is nearly upon us. Stay tuned. > I guess it's time for a comet viewing report from Escondido, CA. I have been out to see Halley's three times now since it came around the sun. Based on predictions, I waited until February 22nd, and then went out only with my 7x35 binoculars... and was sorry I hadn't been out days sooner! We probably have a better view than many in the US due to our relatively southern lattitude, and I found the comet quite readily by scanning the horizon just south of where the sun comes up, @ 5 AM. The comet shows a greatly expanded tail compared to when I last saw it early in February, and I think I could make out a division between the gas and dust tails. I estimated a visual magnitude of about 3, based on a comparison with a nearby star. The tail extends upward and to the right, away from the rising sun. I was able to track it well into the dawn, until @ 5:55 AM, just using my binoculars. The next morning I brought my 12.5" Dobsonian style telescope out, along with a bunch of (sleepy - eyed) friends, and we had a good view again. The full moon that morning did, however, interfere somewhat, making it difficult to see the detail I would have liked. I followed the comet by scope until about 6:10 that morning. Several in the group got good pictures using ASA 1600 color film and exposures @ 30 seconds long. Inclement weather set in, and I was not able to get out again for over a week until this morning. The waning moon, just less than half, was as Debbie so nicely described above, and really did not interfere too much with the comet visibility. My magnitude estimate is about the same (3), but since the comet rose earlier (@ 4:20 - 4:30) it was higher above the horizon when I got there, and I spotted it very readily with the naked eye, and I could clearly see the tail with the naked eye! It looked quite fine through 7x35 binoculars. To sum up, I have high hopes for some really excellent viewing beginning this weekend. I have a feeling that Comet Halley is about to make up for some of the bad press it got earlier in its visit. To be sure, some viewers who are jaded by Hollywood-proportioned overbloated expectations may still be disappointed: however, the one who makes the effort to rise early and watch for the comet with an open mind and heart is sure to be most richly rewarded. "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." - David, Psalm 19:1 By the way, I think that Sunday morning, the 9th, may offer quite a lovely show - the comet in the sky along with a nearly-new crescent moon. I'm prepared to be impressed! I'd recommend that you be out there no later than 4 AM, and you may even see the comet tail rising in the dark pre-dawn sky before you see the nucleus. I'll be interested in hearing reports from other viewers. -- / Dann McCreary Burroughs ===/=== Corporation / Distributed Systems Group MS-703 (619) 485-4585 10850 Via Frontera San Diego CA 92128 {decvax || ucbvax || ihnp4 || philabs}!sdcsvax!bmcg!dann