Comet McNaught (C/2006 P1)

Date: 05 January 2007 U.T.
Time: 14:00 U.T.
Binoculars: 20x80 (hand-held)
Seeing: Fair
NELM: Bright Twilight
Temperature: +15F (-9C)


Under a partly cloudy sky bathed in bright, morning twilight I searched for and found Comet McNaught while scanning the clear eastern sky with 8x42 binoculars. I described the comet's location to Ann; and she also was able to find and observe the comet using the small pair of binoculars.

The above sketch, correctly oriented in relation to the horizon, comes close to matching the view as seen with 20x80 binoculars. North (toward Polaris) is to the upper left. The maximum length of visible tail was estimated (roughly) to be ten minutes of arc (about 1/3 the apparent diameter of a full moon). The comet's head was bright, somewhat 'fuzzy', and non-stellar in appearance. If it could be observed from a dark sky, this comet would be very easily visible to the unaided-eye; but unfortunately Comet NcNaught is currently too near the Sun.

In the next few days the comet will be moving closer to the Sun, making it increasingly difficult to observe from Earth. A low, clear, transparent eastern horizon are necessary in order to see Comet NcNaught. A telescope or a pair of binoculars might also be needed.