Senses fail45 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) A guide to spotting bright Comet Lovejoy The first big comet-spotting opportunity of the year is already under way. Here's how to head outside this month to spy a steaming space rock called Lovejoy. Comet Lovejoy as seen on New Year's EveNASA/Dieter Willasch (Astro-Cabinet) Comet C/2014 Q2, otherwise known as Lovejoy, has been hanging around in our night skies for a few weeks now, but it's currently entering what will likely be the brightest and easiest-to-spot part of its journey around our sun, at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere. The comet was first discovered last August by Australian amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy using his backyard telescope (this is the fifth comet he's found, BTW) and was at its closest point to Earth on Wednesday. It will be at its brightest starting roughly now and into the next few weeks as it approaches the sun, hopefully increasing the size and brilliance of its coma while remaining relatively in our neck of the celestial woods. Using data from NASA, it was reported on Friday that the comet had a visual magnitude of 4.32, meaning it should be visible from places with limited light pollution like rural areas and outer suburbs. But even if you're in a more populated spot, there's a good chance you can spot it with a pair of binoculars. To find Lovejoy, simply head outside on a clear night, ideally in the early evening hours just after dark, and look for the constellation Orion. The three bright stars that make up Orion's belt, and the hunter's arrow itself, will roughly be pointing toward the comet over the next week or so. There's a more-detailed illustration here (PDF). If you miss it, Comet Lovejoy is scheduled to return again, and the chances are good that your calendar will be completely open, since it won't be back for about 8,000 years. If you live in the USA keep a look out for this. I'm in New Zealand and in one stage it was visable here but it happened to come on the night we had a full moon so i couldn't actually see it. I just thought this was interesting. Edited January 11, 2015 by Senses fail45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Sp33dy20 Posted January 11, 2015 Founder Share Posted January 11, 2015 I havent seen it yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anie Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 It's really Lovejoy! NASA has an app that discloses exact times on that comets will pass close to earth and be illuminated by the sun, often you can see with the naked eye. It's amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petru Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 damn thats nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R U H O N Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 damn inb4 world ends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k98 pker Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Damn nice ill look out for it. Interesting topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panic Twitch Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Pretty cool, thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow_Dl Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senses fail45 Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 It's really Lovejoy! NASA has an app that discloses exact times on that comets will pass close to earth and be illuminated by the sun, often you can see with the naked eye. It's amazing How interesting, i may go and take a look for that app. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now