[BAA 00313] Superoutburst of Comet P/Holmes (17P)

[Rick]

BAA electronic bulletin No. 00313 http://www.britastro.org/

In the past 24 hours, a spectacular event has taken place involving the periodic comet P/Holmes (17P).  Its predicted brightness is about magnitude 17 however last night it was discovered by the Spanish amateur, Juan Antonio Henríquez Santana to have undergone a tremendous outburst having attained magnitude 10 at that time (Oct 24 0h UT).  It was a similar outburst in 1892 that led to its discovery.

Latest reports (Seiichi Yoshida, Oct 24 13h UT) indicate that it is stellar in appearance and 3RD MAGNITUDE in brightness: so bright in fact that it is readily visible to the unaided eye.  That's almost one million times brighter than normal !

Fortunately for UK-based observers the comet is well placed for observation and is visible throughout the entire night.  Its position at 0h UT tonight (Oct 24/25) will be:

R.A. 03h 53.0m,   Dec.  +50 08'

Its appearance will probably be that of a fairly bright naked-eye star moving at an apparent rate of close to 10 arcmin per day at PA 298 deg.  It is currently 1.63 AU (245 million km) from the Earth.

Observations are strongly encouraged and should be reported to Jonathan Shanklin, Director of the Comet Section.

Clear Skies
Richard Miles