A Bright Comet Is Coming
Posted on: Wednesday, 10 January 2007, 15:15 CST
If you watch the morning or evening sky these days and have a clear view of the horizon, you will be able to spot a bright object with a prominent tail.
Instructions for viewing the comet in the morning from Spaceweather.com:
At dawn, go outside and face east
Using binoculars, scan the horizon
The comet is located just south of due east
Instructions for viewing the comet in the evening from Spaceweather.com:
At sunset, go outside and face west
Using binoculars, scan the horizon
The comet is located low and to the right of Venus
A clear view of the horizon is essential
That object is comet C/2006 P1 (Comet McNaught). It was discovered on August 7th, 2006 by the hugely successful comet discoverer Rob McNaught.
At time of discovery, the comet was a very faint object, but the predicted perihelion distance (closest distance to the sun) of just 0.17 astronomical units (the average distance between the Earth and sun, about 150 million kilometers) indicated that the object has the potential to become very bright indeed.
Nobody really knows just what this comet will look like at its closest point to the sun and that is where SOHO comes in! The LASCO instrument aboard SOHO has the ability to watch comets as they get extremely close to the sun.
Fortunately for us, C/2006 P1 is going to pass right through the LASCO C3 field of view in less than a weeks' time! As soon as SOHO's cameras capture the comet, we will post images and further information to the SOHO website. In the meantime, you may enjoy looking at some photographs and checking out the links below for further information.
The image to the left shows the expected track of the comet through SOHO's coronagraph LASCO C3. The comet will appear in the field of view of C3 at around 10:00 UT (05:00 EDT) on January 12th (a few hours before perihelion) in the upper-left of the images and travel almost vertically down, exiting C3's field of view in the lower left at roughly 03:00 UT on January 16th.
Recent estimates of the comet's maximal brightness have ranged widely from magnitude +2.1 (about as bright as Polaris, the North Star) to a super-bright -8.8 (about 40 times brighter than Venus)! The lower the magnitude number, the brighter the object. The brightest stars in the sky are categorized as zero or first magnitude. Negative magnitudes are reserved for the most brilliant objects: the brightest star is Sirius (-1.4); the full Moon is -12.7; the Sun is -26.7.
Current estimates put comet McNaught at magnitude 0 to -1, and it is still brightening. It could be -2 or -3 by the time it reaches LASCO's field of view. This means it will be brighter than comet NEAT or comet 96P/Machholz. In other words, this could be the brightest and most spectacular comet that SOHO has ever seen!
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On the Net:
Source: NASA/Roger Johansen image
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User Comments (113)
| 63. |
Posted by Spock on 01/10/2007, 17:06 Captain, tri-corder readings indicate it is a "harbinger of indigestion." |
| 62. |
Posted by Mister Gabianelli on 01/10/2007, 17:04 I was wondering when my buddies would return. Pick me up before you leave, guys. This planet sucks! |
| 61. |
Posted by Flaming Lib on 01/10/2007, 17:02 IT'S BUSH'S FAULT !!!!! |
| 60. |
Posted by Red on 01/10/2007, 17:02 Mohammed is right guys, Allah is coming to vanquish the infidels, but what Mohammed doesn't get, is Allah is coming to vanquish all religious people for causing so much confrontation, death and misery thoughout history and distorting the true meaning of God. Religion must die!!! |
| 59. |
Posted by A Real Man on 01/10/2007, 17:01 72 Virgins, who wants that? All that "ow, stop!" "What? your gonna stick that where?" "Hey, what are you doing?" "That hurts" "Hey, are you peeing?" |
| 58. |
Posted by Billy on 01/10/2007, 17:00 I love the smell of comet in the morning. |
| 57. |
Posted by Wolf Edwards on 01/10/2007, 17:00 To the people above (and you'll know who you are when you read this comment) why don't you take you trash to some chat room and leave this site for the people who enjoy looking at the events in the sky? PLEASE get a life! |
| 56. |
Posted by Santa on 01/10/2007, 17:00 With comet so bright i guess I don't need Rudolf any more. |
| 55. |
Posted by Sheldon on 01/10/2007, 17:00 #30: If it gets too close I'll respond as well. And I'm gonna need clean shorts after. |
| 54. |
Posted by Bewildered on 01/10/2007, 17:00 ummm if god were to act i think he would use a little more then a comet as a sign. Its JUST a comet peoples, there's been lotsa them. |
| 53. |
Posted by Billy on 01/10/2007, 16:59 I love the smell of comet in the morning. |
| 52. |
Posted by stootsi on 01/10/2007, 16:52 Comet Bless America! |
| 51. |
Posted by abinitiovici on 01/10/2007, 16:50 The Muslim is right the end is here, but it is the end for anyone who does not beleive in CHRIST as the son of GOD from the HOLY BIBLE Revelation 9.1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.....YOU should read the rest for yourself....and then repent and pray to GOD to spare Your sinful life ....No this is not a joke at least research it yourself...May GOD bless all of YOU |
| 50. |
Posted by kev on 01/10/2007, 16:49 At last, the beheadings can stop, for the great quazxtl has had his fill of blood... |
| 49. |
Posted by Oxymoron on 01/10/2007, 16:48 Terrorists and French people **** me off! |
| 48. |
Posted by rico suave on 01/10/2007, 16:48 it's just a big rock zipping through space.....calm down. |
| 47. |
Posted by Mark on 01/10/2007, 16:47 I wonder how many will commite sucide and neuter themselves of this just like the last visable comet. |
| 46. |
Posted by corpser on 01/10/2007, 16:47 thats the alien spaceship with the ***** from the southpole in it |
| 45. |
Posted by lawrenzo on 01/10/2007, 16:46 bend over and spread \'em Allah, this one\'s for you. |
| 44. |
Posted by abinitiovici on 01/10/2007, 16:45 The Muslim is right the end is here, but it is the end for anyone who does not beleive in CHRIST as the son of GOD from the HOLY BIBLE Revelation 9.1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.....YOU should read the rest for yourself....and then repent and pray to GOD to spare Your sinful life ....No this is not a joke at least research it yourself...May GOD bless all of YOU |
| 43. |
Posted by lol on 01/10/2007, 16:45 americans at their best |
| 42. |
Posted by Barry Bonds on 01/10/2007, 16:44 Comets - schamets. WHOSE GOT THE 'ROIDS!!!! |
| 41. |
Posted by abinitiovici on 01/10/2007, 16:43 The Muslim is right the end is here, but it is the end for anyone who does not beleive in CHRIST as the son of GOD from the HOLY BIBLE Revelation 9.1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.....YOU should read the rest for yourself....and then repent and pray to GOD to spare Your sinful life ....No this is not a joke at least research it yourself...May GOD bless all of YOU |
| 40. |
Posted by Scott on 01/10/2007, 16:42 Aloha Snackbar! |
| 39. |
Posted by abinitiovici on 01/10/2007, 16:42 The Muslim is right the end is here, but it is the end for anyone who does not beleive in CHRIST as the son of GOD from the HOLY BIBLE Revelation 9.1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.....YOU should read the rest for yourself....and then repent and pray to GOD to spare Your sinful life ....No this is not a joke at least research it yourself...May GOD bless all of YOU |
| 38. |
Posted by Captain Kirk on 01/10/2007, 16:40 This is your captain speaking. Our Starship is ready to beam up all ready passengers. |
| 37. |
Posted by abinitiovici on 01/10/2007, 16:40 The Muslim is right the end is here, but it is the end for anyone who does not beleive in CHRIST as the son of GOD from the HOLY BIBLE Revelation 9.1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.....YOU should read the rest for yourself....and then repent and pray to GOD to spare Your sinful life ....No this is not a joke at least research it yourself...May GOD bless all of YOU |
| 36. |
Posted by Christian & proud on 01/10/2007, 16:39 Hey 'Mo-Ham-Ad' want a pork 'sand'wich? The Lord Jesus is coming to get your **** and put you and that anti-Christ you worship in hell were you belong. This sure is a sign from heaven! |
| 35. |
Posted by Bob on 01/10/2007, 16:38 Ok, Hiram, take a deep breath. Look up the spelling of devour, and put the cold medicine down. Hope I see the comet. |
| 34. |
Posted by Captain Kirk on 01/10/2007, 16:37 This is your captain speaking. The Enterprise is ready to beam up all ready passengers. |
| 33. |
Posted by Captain Kirk on 01/10/2007, 16:37 This is your captain speaking. The Enterprise is ready to beam all ready passengers. |
| 32. |
Posted by kellertexas on 01/10/2007, 16:36 Its the flames of hades, upon engulfing an ex Iraq dictator. |
| 31. |
Posted by Mr Hankypants on 01/10/2007, 16:35 why did any of you idiots even read the article? aren't you too busy masturbating to clothing catalogs or something? Makes me wonder if you had to have someone read it to you, and why your thumbs are not too sore from texting your pals about the latest poo jokes. |
| 30. |
Posted by Jimbo Rambo on 01/10/2007, 16:32 ***** Islam Mohammed can kiss my ass. |
| 29. |
Posted by Space Ghost on 01/10/2007, 16:31 Must!.......reverse!.....the polarity!!!!!!! |
| 28. |
Posted by Don on 01/10/2007, 16:29 A comet in the sky is a sign from Allah???? Right! This infidel will be watching this rare sight knowing that Muslims ignorance will continue to be their downfall. |
| 27. |
Posted by Fats on 01/10/2007, 16:29 I hope its made of cheese...poo is fun |
| 26. |
Posted by JL on 01/10/2007, 16:28 You people are complete morons. |
| 25. |
Posted by Chuck on 01/10/2007, 16:26 DRINK THE PURPLE KOOL-AID! DRINK THE PURPLE KOOL-AID! DRINK THE PURPLE KOOL-AID! DRINK THE PURPLE KOOL-AID! |
| 24. |
Posted by Jimbo Rambo on 01/10/2007, 16:26 ***** Islam Mohammed can kiss my ass. |
| 23. |
Posted by JOHN NASH on 01/10/2007, 16:26 This is a sign that allah is truly the moon god. Maybe the comet and allah can make friends tonight. |
| 22. |
Posted by INFIDEL on 01/10/2007, 16:24 Mohammed, You have excrement for brains! |
| 21. |
Posted by Joe on 01/10/2007, 16:23 Has someone notified Bruce Willis? |
| 20. |
Posted by BigAir on 01/10/2007, 16:22 I have a dirty sink and need some Comet. |
| 19. |
Posted by George on 01/10/2007, 16:20 Maybe the Heaven's Gate crowd is behind it! |
| 18. |
Posted by corned_beef on 01/10/2007, 16:19 OMG OMG c0/\/\170RZ are so kewl LOLBBQ |
| 17. |
Posted by GOD on 01/10/2007, 16:18 JUST ME PLAYING MARBLES |
| 16. |
Posted by uglyAmericany on 01/10/2007, 16:17 get your nike's out! |
| 15. |
Posted by Hiram on 01/10/2007, 16:14 The end is NEAR. Prepair to meet your DOOM. By the Nine Tongues, Mahlegeth Slumbers. By the Nine Tongues, Mahlegeth Stirs. By the Nine Tongues, Mahlegeth Rises. By the Nine Tongues, HE will devouer us all. |
| 14. |
Posted by Anti Mohammed on 01/10/2007, 16:13 Sorry Mo...But you are wrong...It is a sign from God that people like you, the plauge of the Earth and society, will be leaving soon. By the way, there are no virgins left. We nailed them all. you get sloppy seconds. |
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