Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => In the Media... => Topic started by: mickw on Mar 09, 2013, 07:09:22

Title: Bright comet 'lighting sky' as it flies by Earth
Post by: mickw on Mar 09, 2013, 07:09:22
Even the BBC are mocking us  :!

Stargazers could enjoy a rare spectacle as a bright comet swings into the Northern Hemisphere.
The icy mass, called C/2011 L4 Pan-Starrs, should be visible with binoculars or a telescope from 8 March.
But in the following days, it will become even brighter and could be seen with the naked eye.
Astronomers in the Southern Hemisphere have already been treated to a fly past, with reports that the body was as bright as stars in the Plough.
Mark Bailey, director of the Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland, said: "We have great hopes for this comet. Of course we are always very cautious - even now we don't know how bright it is going to get - but we are keeping out fingers crossed."

More taunting :  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21701641 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21701641)
Title: Re: Bright comet 'lighting sky' as it flies by Earth
Post by: Tony G on Mar 09, 2013, 12:32:22
APOD today

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1303/CPanstarrsParkes_Sarkissian.jpg (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1303/CPanstarrsParkes_Sarkissian.jpg)

Tony G