I made reference to this in another thread but thought it deserved it's own so it can be found easily.
This shows where to look for the comet on various days:
http://waitingforison.wordpress.com/comet-panstarrs/
Whether or not it will achieve naked eye brightness remains to be seen.
This should be visible in a week or so. I won't see anything from Beckenham and am thinking of taking a trip to Salisbury Plain (flat, easy to get to) either 10th or 17th weekends.
Brades Acre Campsite (http://www.bradesacre.co.uk/) is close to Stonehenge/A303 and has a field that is open to the west (where the comet will be just after sunset). Anyone else interested? I have emailed them to see if they are open.
Alternatively, Mick's back garden faces west...
You don't need to go that far Seaford has a campsite smack on the beach and it faces west with nothing for about 40 miles. Also it has a huge club house on site and 30 yards from fishing on the beach.
I'd be up for either of those weekends.
How west does it need to be? (Trying to work out potential view from my place).
The comet will be near where the sun sets and the core will be a few degrees off the horizon with the tail rising into the night (we hope!).
I've answered my own question using "The Sky" and PaintShopPro:
(http://www.markshelley.co.uk/webdisk/Panstarrs6to31Mar2013.jpg)
It shows the position at sunset on each day in March. But, of course, it slides down and right after sunset!
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8521007802_cb56be10d1_b.jpg)
But this is what we'll actually see. :!
Tony G
Looks uncannily like flocks of flying sheep to me Tony ;)
I might catch a glimpse of the comet in Malta next weekend, that is, if the clouds don't follow me there !
Robert
Quote from: Tony G on Mar 02, 2013, 08:37:58
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8521007802_cb56be10d1_b.jpg)
But this is what we'll actually see. :!
Tony G
Wow you can see clouds at night, should they not be ORANGE!
Quote from: Tony G
But this is what we'll actually see. :!
:D :D :D :D
As some of you know I am off the the Isle of Wight star party on Thursday 7th. The trip was supposed to be only until 11th, but sadly now I also have to go to the funeral of my Aunt on the IOW which is on 13th, so my trip is extended by a few days.
Although I won't be staying at the Astro camp for the extra days, if it's clear I will go back on 12th to the campsite as it's nice and dark and westerly facing, and see if I can get to see/image Panstarrs.
Just seen a pig fly past the window.
Carole
I'll probably just go to the south downs, and have a look from there,
Nice and dark, and only 5 mins away.
Mac.
Quote from: Rocket Pooch on Mar 01, 2013, 18:24:06
You don't need to go that far Seaford has a campsite smack on the beach and it faces west with nothing for about 40 miles. Also it has a huge club house on site and 30 yards from fishing on the beach.
Looks OK if it's the Buckle place. A bit close to civilisation and the ferry terminal so I presume it can't be considered a dark site(???). But it maybe great for targets to the south and west and must be heaps better than Beckenham.
Looking at the comet track and dates I think the weekend of the 17th is the best bet so I am going to plan on then unless Flossie is floating around the sky with 100000 of her chums looking for Tony.
The weather gods are taunting us again................
The couple of clear nights we've had are being followed by cloud just as the comet peeks above the horizon :!
I am planning to do extensive cloud imaging shortly after sunset during those weeks. I'll be very upset if there are no clouds to photograph ;-)
[BAA-ebulletin 00732] First reported UK observations of C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS)
(c) 2012 British Astronomical Association http://www.britastro.org/
On March 12 we received the first UK observations of this comet. It was visible very low down in the west along with the thin crescent Moon which was less than one day old.
So far we have received positive observations from James Abott (Witham, Essex), Ian Sharp (Selsey, Sussex) and Dennis Boon. The comet was not visible with the naked eye but it was clearly seen using binoculars.
I've updated the BAA blog with details:
http://britastro.org/blog/?p=1168
Tonight the Sun sets at an azimuth of around 266 deg just before 6pm. An hour later the comet will be at an azimuth of 272 deg and around 4 deg above the horizon. The 2 day old crescent Moon will be much higher and slightly to the left (270 deg azimuth, 11 deg above the horizon).
The comet is not spectacular and you will need a pair of binoculars to find it but it is quite unusual to see a comet in the bright twilight so it is worth making an effort if the weather cooperates.
Please send any observations to cometobs at britastro org.
Nick James.
I had what should have been a very clear view of it last night whilst waiting in the queue for the ferry at Fishbourne IOW. However try as I might I could not see it, I don't think it's a naked eye object and I didn't have binoculars with me to my shame.
Annoyingly I had my astro kit in the car but wasn't sure how soon they were going to usher us onto the Ferry.
Carole
it is currently Mag 0.7 so should easily be visible with the naked eye.
However, I don't think it is particularly diffuse and the tail is rather dim so it will probably look more like a star with the naked eye. Hence a pair of binos would more than likely be the best thing to use.
I've been reading threads on other forums, and it does look very faint, and most people can only spot it with binoculars and even then found it difficult. If only I had had bins with me last night, probably won't get another chance.
Carole
Yesterday's APOD was a cool view: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130315.html
Today's isn't bad either, even if it does feature trees: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130316.html
APOD says this today: "As Comet PANSTARRS fades, careful observers -- even with unaided eyes -- should still be able to find the shedding ice ball on the western horizon just after sunset."
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130318.html
Already fading and we haven't had a single opportunity to see it :-(
Question for today: is the UK the worst place on Earth for astronomy? Or is there somewhere worse?
Nope can't think of anywhere worse :(
But the forecast :lol: is only for "partial cloud" on Wednesday and Saturday nights, it will however be raining all day :roll:
In case nobody noticed, there is a good chance of a sighting this evening.
There are some clouds but there is quite a big blue bit following the setting sun.
Desperately trying to find tripod and cable release
Enjoy :D
As usual, there is a great long stripe of clouds right where the comet is :!
Yep, did seem promising - tried to spot it - failed :-?
Moon is pretty though :oops:
Saw it!!
At 19:20 a few degrees above the horizon and with a short tail pointing vertically upwards. A gap in the cloud appeared in just the right place and I found it in binos - very faint aginst the murk. Definitely not a naked eye object - at least not tonight.
I hate you :(
It was crystal clear tonight on the south downs, except for the bit above the horizon,
which was cloudy, didnt see anything. :cry:
Ho well there is still tomorrow,
Mac.
Not a hope in Beckenham. I even went into Beckenham Place Park and up the top of the hill in the twilight and the mud of countless dog walkers trails but all I could see was murk, Crystal Palace mast and the stadium floodlights.
Next clearish evening I will get in the car and head out of town.
We may get to see the comet this weekend if the forecasts are correct (groan). I am looking for a suitable site out of London (M20, M2, A21) not too far to take the binos, any suggestions?
Quote from: The Thing on Mar 29, 2013, 11:22:33
We may get to see the comet this weekend if the forecasts are correct (groan). I am looking for a suitable site out of London (M20, M2, A21) not too far to take the binos, any suggestions?
I have been Googling around and think the recreation ground at Otford ('Solar Model') may be a good spot as it's flat with a good horizon to the north west. I've not been there so any thoughts from those that have?
I would wander around to this sports field, around the corner, where i was lurking the other week, to no avail, but would take binos next time. looks a good west
Quote from: Fay on Mar 29, 2013, 15:03:35
I would wander around to this sports field, around the corner, where i was lurking the other week, to no avail, but would take binos next time. looks a good west
There were reports in the news shopper about someone lurking in that vicinity. I wouldn't go back for a while if I were you as the police might be waiting :lol:
I'm also going to try to get out to see the comet but as you say Duncan, it's choosing the right spot and without looking like you should be arrested !
Robert
With the fantastic skies I am getting down here, I think we should all wait for it to come out on video :!
Clear skies are only in your dreams :(
I'm in otford car park and its lokking hopeful!
Success! :-)
Well done ! Cloudy as hell in Orpington :(
Well done Duncan..kept going outside but thick cloud!!!!!
It did cloud over pretty quickly, the comet was at 20deg elevation when I started looking and 14 when the clouds rolled in, I had about 25 minutes observing. I could see both tails with my 20x80 bins.
That recreation ground is a good place for sunset related observing (Mercury, Venus etc.) with a clear horizon down to about 5deg and it was quite a dark site. No good for deep sky observing as there are houses that back onto the field on one side, a car park with associated intermittent headlights and some t055er with a flood light in the south south west that just catches your eye. That gate doesn't appear to be lockable and is low so access is easy.
thats handy to know Duncan. did you see it at sunset? or later. i wanted to see where Andromeda/Cass were, for my bearings, but too many clouds
Might go down tonight if the cloud situation improves.
Where exactly is the CP in Otford ?
Before you get to the pond if you are coming from Polhill. It's on the left. (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=otford+village+car+park&ll=51.313353,0.188388&spn=0.001697,0.003895&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=car+park&hnear=0x47df4d0b4cd59709:0x4980d06aa45bf35e,Otford,+Kent&cid=0,0,463182641387627095&t=h&z=18)
Thanks, that's what I thought :)
Opposite the Bull pub
Well, I'm here at Otford and its clear at the moment so fingers crossed it'll stay like it for a short while !
Good luck!
think i may pay a visit tomorrow
Quote from: The Thing on Mar 30, 2013, 19:13:11
Good luck!
Bu66er - clouded out :(
Might try again tomorrow if the weather plays a straight game :-?
oh dear. i am in garden too cloudy really been nice in the west when clear bits
Managed to find it last night above the bank of clouds on the horizon 8)
So obsessed with seeing the bloody thing I didn't realise how close it was to M31 (apparently) so missed the opportunity for a peek :-?
Saw Jupiter and Orion and quite a few of those white spotty things but can't remember what they're called :(
If the sky's clear and it's above freezing, I might even venture outside tonight :o
what time will that be for tonight for a view? is it still around sunset? how high from the horizon as difficult to know where Andromeda is when still light & not having been outside for 3 months!!!
i may venture to the car park
I was looking at about 7:45, it was darkish and it was pretty high - didn't bother to check height :oops:
It should be the same tonight but BST 8:45 or thereabouts and it's towards north west.
If you can figure out where Andromeda should be, the comet will be below it.
Laziness and lack of sky has put me way out of practice :!
well if sunset is 7.30. it will be well dark at that time. is that right?
Yes but not very
I was there at 6:45 last night but we had to wait a while, I'll get there at 7:30 8:30 if its clear.
will see you there Robert
I posted "Success!" at 8:04pm GMT when I returned to the car and had packed up tripod, binos etc. It was pretty dark by then so take a torch! Presumably that's now 9:04pm BST or does the timestamp on a thread change with the seasons!
so when looking across the field from car park, in what area should one look Duncan?
Fay, if you use the link I posted you will see a cricket pitch, this is now a football pitch. Stand just past the left goal post and look left towards the tall floodlight pole at the end of the other football pitch (see the satellite photo). You should see something called a 'sunset'. If not you are too early or too late to see the comet. Follow a line between this and Polaris and that is the track of the comet. It's reached M31 at the moment and that's easy to find in binos even if it's quite low (around 20deg up when it's dark enough to make out). Cassiopeia was easy to spot so you shouldn't have a problem. I've got an app on my phone so it was very very easy :).
Quote from: Fay on Mar 31, 2013, 14:17:31
will see you there Robert
Great, are you able to bring bins and a tripod head ?
Well that makes a change :o
Clear skies - too clear :-?
I thought I had it nailed looking out the window then I ventured outside - far too many spotty white things and couldn't work out where the hell I was looking.
Luckily M45 a bit of a give away so moved across from there.
Found the comet again and Andromeda plus another mystery fuzzy - Cool 8)
Sky as near as dammit perfect
SQM 20.8 with house lights on
It was noticeably fainter last night. I would have got the Tak out but it was far too gusty for imaging.
Quote from: MarkS on Apr 02, 2013, 08:35:15
I would have got the Takle out but it was far too gusty for the imagingation.
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Tony G
Sorry Mark, just couldn't resist. ;)