New Comet Spotted
Discussion
http://remanzacco.blogspot.it/2012/09/new-comet-c2...
So it looks like we might get a good view of this one when it comes by in January 2014. Can anyone explain the technical stuff in the report, basically how bright can we expect it to be? I remember when Hale Bopp came by and you couldn't miss it so judging by what information we have is it likely to be anything like that?
So it looks like we might get a good view of this one when it comes by in January 2014. Can anyone explain the technical stuff in the report, basically how bright can we expect it to be? I remember when Hale Bopp came by and you couldn't miss it so judging by what information we have is it likely to be anything like that?
Trying to predict how bright a comet is going to get such a long time in advance of its closest pass of earth is always notoriously difficult.
When a new comet is first detected, it isn't known what its detailed make up (i.e. the proportions of rock, dust, ice and gas that the comet is made from) actually is. The make up will determine the amount of outgassing as it approaches the sun - and that, in turn, will determine the size of the gas and dust cloud that ends up surrounding the comet. That in turn determines the length of the comet's tail and how bright it will appear to us on earth.
When a new comet is first detected, it isn't known what its detailed make up (i.e. the proportions of rock, dust, ice and gas that the comet is made from) actually is. The make up will determine the amount of outgassing as it approaches the sun - and that, in turn, will determine the size of the gas and dust cloud that ends up surrounding the comet. That in turn determines the length of the comet's tail and how bright it will appear to us on earth.
Unfortunately no, this isn't going to be another Hale-Bopp.
It is however looking good to be a naked eye daytime object in late November from the UK. Its elongation is pretty small so no magnificent tail arcing across the sky.
It passes very close to the Sun and will hopefully be visible from mid December in the evening.
The blurb on your link talks about who found it, what kit they used, how far away it currently is (measured in Astronomical Units (AU) - 1 AU = roughly mean Earth Sun distance)and where it is, how bright it currently is and how bright it is predicted to become as it gets closer to the Sun. Some data about its orbit and some co-ordinates on when and where to look for it if you want to see it.
Will try and get a look at this with a scope if and when the lousy weather clears.
It is however looking good to be a naked eye daytime object in late November from the UK. Its elongation is pretty small so no magnificent tail arcing across the sky.
It passes very close to the Sun and will hopefully be visible from mid December in the evening.
The blurb on your link talks about who found it, what kit they used, how far away it currently is (measured in Astronomical Units (AU) - 1 AU = roughly mean Earth Sun distance)and where it is, how bright it currently is and how bright it is predicted to become as it gets closer to the Sun. Some data about its orbit and some co-ordinates on when and where to look for it if you want to see it.
Will try and get a look at this with a scope if and when the lousy weather clears.
Telegraph are getting very excited - suggesting it will be visible in daylight:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/9567598/C...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/9567598/C...
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