Sunday, January 14, 2007
Comet McNaught
The brightest comet for a decade is about to pass behind the sun, and is currently visible in daylight (with binoculars) with magnitude -2. Be careful, you will be looking just east of the sun, with the sun behind a building. Right after the sun goes down would be best, if you have a good clear view west.
Here is the position of the comet today in Auckland from the Heavens Above site, I have rotated the detailed picture to line up with the stars that are unexpectedly in my photo at 3pm!
The comet is up to the right.
I went out at sunset at the top of Silkwood heights. Unfortunately the seeing was not great due to Australian bushfire smoke. The sun did a green flash as it set but it's not in the photos. The comet was there, look top left in the picture below, but it was not visible to the naked eye.
Here's a closeup.
Comet McNaught will pass behind the sun in the next few days and re-appear in our dawn skies. It may be very bright for some weeks for you early risers.
Here is the position of the comet today in Auckland from the Heavens Above site, I have rotated the detailed picture to line up with the stars that are unexpectedly in my photo at 3pm!
The comet is up to the right.
I went out at sunset at the top of Silkwood heights. Unfortunately the seeing was not great due to Australian bushfire smoke. The sun did a green flash as it set but it's not in the photos. The comet was there, look top left in the picture below, but it was not visible to the naked eye.
Here's a closeup.
Comet McNaught will pass behind the sun in the next few days and re-appear in our dawn skies. It may be very bright for some weeks for you early risers.
# posted by Doug @ 4:01 PM 
