Comet watching

[fred.n]

clearly visable at the moment, to the south-west

[Malibu]

I went out for some 'quick relief' last night at about 10:30, totally forgetting about the comet. Just gazing around marveling at the bright stars (like I usualy do on a clear night) I was mesmerised by the comet in the south.
A nice bright pin-prick of light and a massive tail that I couldn't even judge the length of! The digital camera failed dismaly so I loaded up the SLR and took 18 snaps. It remains to be seen how they come out, but even so, really glad I caught sight of it!

[Shedhand]

just saw it at 9.58pm. The clouds cleared long enough. It was to the left of Mt Wellington and right above Hobart. Brilliant. Even better with binoculars. Uber cool.

[hansp77]

When Haley's Comet came past I was at our place in the hills behind by home town of Byron Bay (Coorabell/Goonengerry),
It was absolutely incredible. It was massive in the sky and bright and clear as the moon, clearly visable with the naked eye.
That same week my sister and I flew down to Melbourne to stay with our relatives. We went imediatly way out of melbourne into the country where the air was really clear with a BIG telescope. All we could see through that was a pathetic little smudge.
I cannot emphasise enought the difference.
I am not sure why, but obviously some got it better than others.
I haven't seen this one yet, but compared to what I saw of Haley's, I could not imagine it possibly being better.

Hans.

[Gumby]

It was absolutely incredible. It was massive in the sky and bright and clear as the moon, clearly visable with the naked eye.

It was the moon

[craigb]

Either that or the, ahem, "local produce" was affecting the viewing.

[dadpad]

Now that the bushfire smoke has finally cleared, we (family) had a look at the comet last night. Pretty amazing. Tried some photos with various settings on the digital camera but nothing good came out so we used the pentax SLR on the B setting for 30 seconds and 1 minute. Hope we got some good shots.

[zenwood]

I took two of the boys to see it at the beach on Monday, and I saw no tail, just looked like a normal star above the sun after sunset. Might have another look tonight.

[Shedhand]

Anyone know what time it will be visible tonite in Hobart?

[Ianab]

Should still be best just after sunset.
It's not as bright as it was, but it's higher in the sky and you can still see it once it gets fully dark. Just look up about 45 deg left of where the sun sets.

Cheers

Ian

[duckman]

I took two of the boys to see it at the beach on Monday, and I saw no tail, just looked like a normal star above the sun after sunset. Might have another look tonight.

I don't wish to be rude but is there any chance that you were looking at the planet Venus and not the comet? Venus is low in the western sky at the moment and is very bright but no tail.

[zenwood]

I don't wish to be rude but is there any chance that you were looking at the planet Venus and not the comet? Venus is low in the western sky at the moment and is very bright but no tail.

Always possible I suppose, but I saw nothing else that looked more like a comet, and this was visible way before any other stars were.

I went and had another look last night. No sign of a tail. Pushing my little camera to the max on a tripod, I got the attached pics. I assume from the irregular shape that it's the comet (though I didn't try taking another of a star to check what it looked like). Those photos showing a spectacular tail, I assume must have been taken with powerful lenses, time exposures, etc...?

[dadpad]

Always possible I suppose, but I saw nothing else that looked more like a comet, and this was visible way before any other stars were.

Those photos showing a spectacular tail, I assume must have been taken with powerful lenses, time exposures, etc...?

Not so Zen The comet is unmistakeable, huge long silvery tail easily visible to the naked eye. If it was visible I dont see how you could miss it. you are looking in the right place so perhaps your latitude has something to do with it.

BTW how does one get star/comet type photos to work on a digital. We have an olympus 500. Its got a setting for night time/low light photography but I couldnt get anything to show up.

[duckman]

Always possible I suppose, but I saw nothing else that looked more like a comet, and this was visible way before any other stars were.

I went and had another look last night. No sign of a tail. Pushing my little camera to the max on a tripod, I got the attached pics. I assume from the irregular shape that it's the comet (though I didn't try taking another of a star to check what it looked like). Those photos showing a spectacular tail, I assume must have been taken with powerful lenses, time exposures, etc...?

The tail is quite distinct, you really can't miss it. Venus goes through phases like our moon so judging by your photos I'd say you were looking at Venus.
Look to the left of Venus in the direction of SSW and about one hand span above the horizon and you should see comet McNaught.

HTH,

Mark.

[Gumby]

I saw it tonight around 9.30

Not bad but seen one comet, seen 'em all.