[BAA 00232] Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann

[Rick]

Component 'B' of comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann is undergoing a significant outburst and is now brighter than the main body, component 'C'.  I was able to observe both in 20x80B last night, with 'B' estimated at around 9 and 'C' around 9.5.  The two are now separated by nearly 3 degrees, and the separation will steadily increase towards the time of closest approach in May, when they are likely to be within naked-eye range.  Moonlight is however going to interfere with observations until mid April.

Comet 2006 A1 (Pojmanski) is fading rapidly, but is still around 8.5 and visible in the evening, low in the north-west if you have a clear horizon.

The comet web page at http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/~jds is regularly updated and gives the latest brightness information and other comet news.

Jonathan Shanklin
British Antarctic Survey, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, England
http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met/jds/notes_from_south_2006.htm
http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met/jds
http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/~jds