Comet Lulin (C/2007 N1) 22 Feb. 2009

The above sketch shows the full-field view I had of Comet Lulin last night with 25x100 binoculars. Comet Lulin was easily visible to my unaided eyes from my dark-sky (Naked Eye Limiting Magnitude 6.5), rural location. North is up and east is to the left in the sketch. The field of view is approximately 2.3 degrees. From a dark sky any pair of binoculars will provide a pleasant view of Comet Lulin.

I've been observing this comet for a while now, but this is obviously my first blog entry on our latest celestial visitor. There's just so much to do these days . . .

Comet C/2007 W1 (Boattini)

Date: 13 July 2008 U.T.
Time: 9:40 - 9:50 U.T.
Telescope: 13cm refractor
Magnification: 66x
NELM: dark twilight, growing brighter
Temperature: +41 F (+6 C)

The above sketch shows an approximately 0.54 degree wide portion of the telescopic field centered on Comet Boattini. North is up. West is to the left in this mirror-reversed view.

Comet Boattini is currently visible with binoculars in the early morning sky, low in the east, prior to the onset of bright twilight. The time of this observation in local time was 3:40am - 3:50am. Earlier the comet would be seen in a darker sky, but it would also have been closer to (or even below) the horizon. Later, morning twilight would have had a more drastic, negative effect on the comet's visibility. This comet will be climbing higher in the morning sky with each passing day, but moonlight will soon add a negative element to this comet's visibility.

Comet Boattini is heading out away from the sun now, so it can be expected to grow smaller and fainter in the upcoming weeks. Currently the comet appears like a round 'fuzzball' with an outer boundary the blends into the background sky. The comet is brighter closer to its center. I noticed no tail and no central condensation (or pseudonucleus). This comet was not visible to my unaided eyes - at least not under the twilight sky in which this observation was made.

This comet looks like a typical, relatively bright, telescopic comet. That is, it's easily visible with a telescope or even binoculars; but it has no (visible) tail and presents nothing out of the ordinary to see - at least not at this time.

Binocular & Small Telescope Session

Date: 13 January 2008
Time: 3:05: 3:25 U.T.
Binoculars: 8x42 & 20x80
Telescope: 80mm f/5 Achromat
NELM: 6.0 to 6.5

Comet Holmes was visible to the unaided eye, but it was significantly better with the binoculars. A crescent moon was above the horizon to the southwest, but appeared to have little if any adverse effect on the evening's viewing. Clouds were approaching from the west.

Mars looked like a tiny, yellow-orange disk in the ST-80 at 105x without filters. Markings on the planet were difficult to see with the small telescope, but they became easier when the planet's brightness was reduced and contrast was increased via the use of a #23A Light Red filter. The #23A filter transformed the color of the planet to a orange-red. Normally I wouldn't consider using such a small telescope on Mars, but I was curious concerning what could be seen with minimal optical aid. Without any filters, the ST-80 is likely to disappoint just about anyone when viewing Mars. With filters, a fair amount of patience, a bit of observer experience (and a good solid mount!) it's possible to conduct some regular study of Mars when the planet is near opposition, but I would strongly suggest that any interested observer use a larger, higher quality telescope.

Surface markings were ill-defined and difficult to pinpoint in location due to the telescope's small aperture, the relatively low (for Mars) magnification, the less than perfect (achromatic) optics, and the somewhat uncooperative, home-made mount (One of these days I should add a friction adjustment to the mount's altitude axis).

After Mars I lowered the magnification to 22x using a wide-angle eyepiece. I took quick looks at the Great Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy (and its two nearby satellite galaxies), M33, and Comet Holmes. The ST-80 and its home-made, alt-az mount seem to perform at their best when used for such low magnification purposes. All of these objects were very pleasing in the small, short telescope. Comet Holmes looked like a fairly bright, diffuse (amorphous) cloud occupying approximately one-third of the 3.34 degree field of view.

In the course of the evening's short session I never felt any need to uncap the telescope's finder. It was easy enough to point the telescope at Mars, etc. with the 22x eyepiece in place prior to switching to higher power.

I brought the telescope and mount inside, leaving the tripod out in case I decided to try out a 102mm (4-inch) SCT on Mars. Later, when I went back outside, I discovered a cloud covered sky and frost on the tripod. It was clearly time to bring the tripod inside and wait for another clear night.

Two Bright Comets

Date: 2 January 2008
Time: 4:30 - 4:50 U.T.
Instrumentation: Binoculars and Unaided Eye
NELM: 6.5 or better
Temperature: +3 F (-16 C)

Comet 17P/Holmes remains an easily visible naked-eye comet. I was able to immediately spot and recognize this comet with the unaided eye upon stepping outside. The view was improved with 8x42 binoculars, and improved even more with 20x80 binoculars. Comet Holmes has increased in size and become a bit more diffused in appearance since my last blog entry.

Comet 8P/Tuttle was initially spotted near the Aires - Pisces border with the 8x42 binoculars. It was better seen (as a circular haze with a brighter center) with the 20x80 binoculars. At times I suspected Comet Tuttle as being visible to the unaided eye, but I was never 100% convinced.

These observations were made from my south porch after a period of indoor dark adaptation. The floor of the Colosseum (my open-air observatory) has been coated with a layer of ice for the past couple of weeks. Thus it would be ill advised to set up a telescope at that location.

Future Plans: At present I'm inclined to make fewer blog entrees and post even fewer sketches in 2008; but one never knows for certain what the future may hold.

Comet 17P/Holmes (12 Dec. 2007 UT)

Date: 12 December 2007

Time: 2:05 U.T.

Instrumentation: 20x80 Binoculars

Seeing: Good

NELM: 6.5 or better

Temperature: +21 F (-6 C)

The above sketch shows the full, three degree field of the 20x80 binoculars. North is up. West is to the right. Not all of the field stars that were seen were recorded in the sketch.

Comet Holmes is now clearly larger in apparent size than a full moon. (The apparent diameter of a full moon is about 0.5 degrees, or one-sixth of the binocular field.) As I was observing this comet I was reminded of the general appearance of a fossilized trilobite.

Comet Holmes remains easily visible to the unaided eye. It appeared to be clearly brighter than the nearby Perseus Double Star Cluster.

Comet Holmes (10 Dec. 2007)

Date: 10 December 2007 U.T.
Time: 2:40 U.T.
Instrumentation: Unaided Eye, 8x42 & 20x80 Binoculars
Seeing: Good
NELM: 6.5
Temperature: +15 F (-9 C)

Comet Holmes continues to be easily visible to the unaided eye -- at least from a dark sky. To the unaided eye the comet looks like a round, nebulous patch of light that's somewhat comparable to a full moon in angular size.

With 20x80 binoculars the comet had the appearance of a huge, oval (somewhat egg-shaped) patch of light occupying roughly one quarter of the binocular's three-degree field of view. The comet's sunward side was somewhat better defined than its fuzzier, anti-sunward side. Gone is the distinction between an inner and outer coma. The previously visible outer coma has probably enlarged and faded too much for my eyes to notice. No tail was noticed.

Within the comet's coma was a distinctly brighter bar of light. The bar was brightest and widest on its sunward end. Several stars were visible through the comet's coma. The comet's pseudo-nucleus was not visible. Comet Holmes now has the appearance of a giant, celestial Easter egg.

The view with 8x42 binoculars was essentially a smaller version of the 20x80 binocular view. At this point in time binoculars probably provide better views of this comet than most telescopes can provide.

I've made a few other observations of Comet Holmes between this blog entry and my previous blog entry; but other interests, activities, and necessities have taken precedence over blogging. Such is life . . .

Comet 17P/Holmes (03 Nov. 2007 UT)

Date: 03 November 2007
Time: 2:18 - 2:40 UT
Instrument: 25x100 Binoculars
Mount: Altaz/Tripod
Seeing: Good
Transparency: Good
NELM: 6.5 or better
Temperature: +27 F (-3 C)


Shown above is the full 2.33 degree field of view of the large, 25x100 binoculars with Comet Holmes near the center. West is up, and north is to the left. The sun is toward the north-northeast. Many of the fainter stars that were visible were not included in the sketch.

The comet's inner coma was sharpest and brightest on its sun-facing side. The outer coma was noticeably more diffuse, fainter, and less sharply defined than it has appeared previously.

The brighter portions of the comet (within the inner coma) were a subtle greenish-blue color. The color was initially noted with the 25x100 binoculars, but was even more apparent with de-focused 8x42 binoculars.

This comet has pretty much maintained its brightness over the past several nights. It remains easily visible to the unaided eye as a moderately bright 'fuzzy star'.

When scanning the sky with 8x42 binoculars in the general vicinity of the comet this evening I spotted the diffuse glow of the nearby open star cluster NGC 1528.

This observation was made in the evening, local time. The comet was also briefly observed and sketched on the previous morning using 20x80 binoculars.

Comet 17P/Holmes (30 Oct. 2007 UT)

Date: 30 October 2007
Time: 2:45 UT
Instrument: 20x80 Binoculars
NELM: 6.2
Transparency: smoky sky


The above sketch gives some idea of the appearance of Comet 17P/Holmes with 20x80 binoculars under a darker (moonless) sky. The comet's outer coma, which was not seen previously under bright moonlight is now easily visible. North is approximately to the upper left; and west is approximately to the upper right in this erect-image view. The binoculars were used hand-held. A wall provided an anchor to steady the view.

A subtle 'rift' was visible along the northeastern edge of the comet's bright inner coma. The southwestern extremity of the outer coma appeared to be a bit darker and more diffuse than elsewhere. The presence of the comet's bright pseudo-nucleus was hinted at as a brighter spot near the center of this fascinating comet. For reference purposes, the sun is to the northeast (to the left at a slight downward angle from the comet).

At the time of the observation the orange (from a smoke filled sky) moon was just rising. Comet Holmes is bright and distinctly non-stellar (though still rather small) to the unaided-eye. The comet's coma has been steadily growing larger since the outburst that occurred about one week ago. One of many sources of information and images on this comet can be found at http://www.spaceweather.com/

Comet 17P/Holmes (28 Oct. 2007 UT)

Date: 28 October 2007
Time: 2:08 - 2:17 UT
Telescope: 130mm Refractor
Magnification: 111x
Seeing: Good
NELM: 5.0 (Bright Moon)
Temperature: +39 F (+4 C)

The above sketch shows Comet 17P/Holmes. South is up, and west is to the right in this mirror-reversed view. The bright, stellar pseudo-nucleus was easily visible on this night using the 5.1 inch refractor. As in previous sketches, some bright cometary material is visible on the southwest side (the side opposite the Sun) of the pseudo-nucleus. Also noted was a brighter ring near the outer edge of the comet's outer coma. This ring appeared
to be somewhat less bright to the southwest, perhaps due to the sunlight having to pass through the rest of the comet's coma in order to provide illumination.

No color was noticed at 111x; but at significantly lower magnifications the comet appeared to have a subtle, yellowish tint. The view is aesthetically more pleasing at lower magnifications; but higher magnifications (such as 111x) make it easier to see some of the details.

Comet Holmes remains very bright in the night sky and is visible to the unaided eye as a slightly fuzzy star. Even the slightest optical aid (such as a small pair of binoculars) is sufficient to reveal the non-stellar nature of this interesting comet.

Comet 17P/Holmes (27 Oct. 2007 U.T.)

At 2:06 U.T. on 27 October to the unaided-eye Comet Holmes looked like an ever so slightly bloated, pale yellow-orange star. It was definitely brighter than Delta Persei and seemed to be slightly brighter than Gamma Persei.

At 2:22 U.T. with 8x42 binoculars the comet appeared to have a slight yellow-orange color. It appeared as a small bright spot surrounded closely by a somewhat less bright coma. The bright spot appeared off-centered even at the low, 8x magnification.

At 2:31 U.T. with hand-held 20x80 binoculars (an outside wall was used to steady the view) Comet Holmes was very beautiful indeed! An off-centered (south of center) pale yellow-green bright spot was visible within a larger, less bright yellow-blue-green coma. The outermost edge of the coma seemed to have a slightly reddish tint. The comet looked very much like a planetary nebula.

From 3:08 until 3:26 U.T. I observed and sketched the comet with a 102mm SCT at 80x. The comet appeared to be a bit "fuzzier" (less sharply defined) than it was on 26 October. The central pseudo-nucleus was at the limit of visibility. Most of the time it was invisible; but from time to time it could be seen with certainty. The larger bright spot appeared shifted southwestward of the center of the coma. The outer 'edge' of the bright spot as well as the outer edge of the coma appeared fuzzier and less distinct than they appeared on 26 October. Only shades of gray were noted in this telescopic view. The comet has been steadily increasing in size ever since its sudden, unexpected brightness outburst.

The temperature at the beginning of this session was +32 degrees F. At the end it was +30 degrees F. My NELM (Naked-Eye Limiting Magnitude) was 4.9 on this (nearly full) moonlit night.

Comet 17P/Holmes was significantly fainter than Pluto a few nights ago -- too faint to be seen visually with most amateur telescopes. Then it brightened tremendously, becoming nearly one million times brighter, bright enough to be easily visible to the unaided-eye even in the presence of a full moon!

I've seen many comets; but Comet Holmes is the only one I've seen that has looked so much like a planetary nebula and so little like a comet. The current apparition of Comet Holmes will surely find its place in the astronomical history books!

Comet 17P/Holmes

Below are some recent sketches of Comet 17P/Holmes with brief notes below each. Notes are brief due to limited time. This blog has just been "cleared" so that I can once again make postings and I need to leave for my day-job in a few minutes . . .

Above is a sketch made from 1:58 until 2:10 UT on 26 October 2007. A 102mm SCT was used at 80x for this observation. North is up and west is to the left in this mirror-reversed view.

Note the tiny star-like pseudo-nucleus in the center of the larger glow and the broad, fan-shaped region south of center.

Above is a close-up of the visual appearance of the comet as seen with tripod-mounted 25x100 binoculars from 1:30 until 1:52 U.T. on 25 October 2007. North is up and west is to the right in this view.

Above is the full-field view of the comet on 25 October (1:30 until 1:52 U.T.) as seen with the 25x100 binoculars. The apparent size of the comet has been enlarged a little to better show the comet and its brightness relative to the stars in the field. Also shown is the observing form I now use for many of my sketches.

Comet LINEAR - 12 July 2007

Date: 12 July 2007 U.T.

Time: 6:32 U.T.

Telescope: 30cm Newtonian

Magnification: 90x

Seeing: Fair

NELM: 6.5

Temperature: +58 F (+14 C)

After the previous night's look at C/2006VZ13 LINEAR with binoculars I decided to have a go at it with a telescope.

In the above sketch South is up and West is to the left. I experimented with magnifications from 60x to 120x before settling on 90x as my preferred magnification for this comet. I worked on the sketch for 20 minutes while observing the comet; but the comet's position was "frozen" (in relation to the stars) at 6:32 U.T.

For those unfamiliar with comets, the stars in the vicinity of the comet in the above sketch are different from those seen on the previous night's sketch. This is because comets are solar system objects that are moving in orbits around our central star (the Sun). They appear to slowly move against the background stars. It can take seconds, minutes, or hours before one notices the motion - depending on the comet, its distance from the Earth and Sun, and the solar system geometry of the line of sight.

This particular comet looks pretty much like a "generic" telescopic comet. There's no easily visible tail. The comet simply looks like a circular, fuzzy, disk of light with a brighter central region. This is what most telescopic (and binocular) comets look like.

Comet C/2006 VZ13 (LINEAR) & Aurora

Date: 11 July 2007 U.T.
Time: 5:50 U.T.
Instrument: 20x80 Binoculars
Seeing: Steady (for binoculars)
NELM: 6.5
Temperature: +55 F (+13 C)


The above sketch shows the basic appearance of Comet C/2006 VZ13 LINEAR as seen with hand-held 20x80 binoculars. Only a few of the many visible field stars appear in this sketch. South is up. West is to the left. The comet is the large, round, nebulous object with a brighter middle. The galaxy, NGC 6015 was visible in the 20x80 binoculars as a much smaller and fainter nebulous object to the west of the comet. The comet was easily visible with 8x42 binoculars as well as with the 20x80s.

The comet was in the constellation Draco. Its rough location at the time of this observation was RA 15hr 57min, Dec. +62 degrees 28min. I estimated the comet's coma to be about 0.2 degrees in diameter. The comet is currently well placed in the evening sky for observers at mid-northern latitudes.

An aurora was visible a few degrees above my northern horizon. The aurora was somewhat brighter (with a small amount of structure visible) around 5:20 U.T. than it was at the time of the comet observation (5:50 U.T.). The aurora never extended very much above my northern horizon and seemed to have little or no effect on the limiting magnitude higher in the sky.

McNaught's Tail - 2nd Observation

Date: 20 January 2007 U.T.
Time: 01:30 U.T.
Binocular: 8x42
Seeing: Good
NELM: 6.0 - 6.5
Temperature: +27 F (-3 C)


Clouds presented some difficulties this evening. As my sky darkened, transparency seemed to gradually improve over most of the sky; but multiple, small, scattered clouds persisted in the neighborhood of Comet McNaught's tail rays. Nevertheless, I was able to see the rays better this evening than I could yesterday -- probably due to a combination of multiple gaps between this evening's smaller clouds and the absence of the thin, smokey haze that plagued yesterday's sky.

In the above sketch I've rendered the clouds invisible in order to better show the cometary rays. The motion of the clouds over the course of the observation allowed me to effectively see 'through' them -- even though they had grown worse by the end of the session. I don't give up easily!

On Sketching: I may be my own worse critic. The sketches in this blog are all done fairly quickly; and more often than not I make notes on the originals specifying how each sketch can be improved. A quick comparison of the above sketch with yesterday's sketch will reveal some changes that go beyond the raw subject matter. In a very real sense, each sketch is an experiment in sketching. In all sincerity, I hope I never create a 'perfect' sketch. I'm a human being, not a camera. I want to do the 'seeing' myself!

Comet McNaught's Tail

Date: 19 January 2007 U.T.
Time: 01:30 U.T.
Binoculars: 8x42
Seeing: Good
NELM: Approximately 6.0
Temperature: +17 F (-8 C)


Comet McNaught's tail was observed above my west-southwest horizon near the end of astronomical twilight. My sky was compromised a little with smoke from a not too distant fire. The thin haze from the smoke could be seen in all directions prior to darkness. I had to walk over some semi-rough terrain to get to my 'good' western horizon. From my regular observing locations nearby trees compromise that horizon.

The sketch was made immediately upon returning indoors. I tried to memorize enough of the star patterns to accurately place the rays from the comet's tail. The known eight degree field of view of the binoculars was used as an aid in making angular measurements. The longest (right most) ray was approximately sixteen degrees in length. Its top extended beyond the top of the dark cloud. The upper ends of the other rays were obscured by the cloud, the bottom of which was about nine degrees above my horizon. The span between the outermost rays was estimated to be about ten degrees at the horizon. Venus (not shown) is just below the horizon about three degrees to the left of the left most ray. Lines have been drawn connecting some of the stars into familiar constellation patterns.

Four primary rays were seen. In addition to the two outermost rays, there was a center pair of rays. Hints of additional rays were seen with increasing frequency to the right of the second ray from the left. The rays were visible with difficulty to the unaided eye. They were much better with the 8x42 binoculars. The approximate azimuth of the center of the ray system along the horizon was estimated as 252 degrees.

At the time of the observation the Sun was approximately seventeen degrees below the horizon directly below the bottom end of the rightmost ray. The comet was approximately twenty-three degrees below the horizon at an azimuth between the left edge of the sketch and the left most ray.

Comet McNaught & Mercury

Date: 14 January 2007 U.T.

Time: 20:10 U.T.

Binoculars: 25x100 (tripod-mounted)

Seeing: Fair

NELM: Daytime

Temperature: +14 F (-10 C)

The above sketch shows the full 2.3 degree field of view of the large binoculars. Comet McNaught is to the lower left. Mercury is the small 'star' to the upper right. North is roughly up; and west is roughly to the right.

The sky appeared clear at the time of the observation; but ice crystals were suspected in the upper atmosphere. A segment from a large, white halo was visible to the left of the Sun immediately following the observation.

The comet was relatively easy to see; but Mercury, due to its faintness, was much more difficult for the eye to perceive.

I had tried earlier to spot Mercury with hand-held 8x42 and 20x80 binoculars; but those efforts proved unsuccessful. Even with the tripod-mounted 25x100 binoculars, and even knowing where to look for our solar system's innermost planet, it took a few minutes to 'spot' Mercury.

Unrelated Note: Using 8x42 binoculars I managed to watch Comet McNaught set yesterday evening. In a mostly cloudy sky I had a thin strip of partial clearing just above my horizon in just the right location. The clearing was only one-fourth to one-eighth of a degree wide! The setting comet looked much like the sketch I had made earlier, in the daytime, with an 80mm refractor -- only not quite as good!

Comet McNaught - Saturday Morning

Date: 13 January 2007 U.T.
Time: 16:05 - 18:45 U.T. (9:05am - 11:45am)
Telescope: 80mm f/5 refractor
Magnification: 24x
Binoculars: 20x80
Seeing: Fair
NELM: Daytime - Very Good Transparency
Temperature: 0 F to 13 F (-18 C to -11 C)


Over the above mentioned time interval I made intermittent daytime observations of Comet McNaught. Weather predictions called for clouds today. Indeed, there were scattered clouds in my sky, but much of the sky remained crystal clear! The top sketch above was made at 16:30 U.T. with the refractor. The lower sketch is based on observations made with 20x80 binoculars from 16:45 - 18:45 U.T.

Even immediately after making the refractor-based sketch, the binoculars revealed substantially more of the comet's tail. From then on I used only the binoculars. The refractor showed a smaller, almost stellar pseudo-nucleus.

Near the end of the time interval I found the comet to be "easily" visible to the unaided eye. It was definitely more easily seen with the unaided eye today than it was yesterday. Either my sky improved, the comet brightened, or both. In my opinion the more important factor was a brightening of the comet.

At the end of the session I was able to compare the comet with Venus, both in the 20x80 binoculars. Both objects were at a similar altitude in my sky. Overall, I had no doubt that the comet was brighter than Venus; but Venus seemed to be more intense. That is, per square arcsecond Venus seemed to be more brilliant; but the comet (even its pseudo-nucleus alone) was 'putting out' more light.

Post Script: 21:00 U.T. I just took another (daytime) look at Comet McNaught. It's fantastic with the 20x80 binoculars! This time the tail was 'obvious' even to the unaided eye! This comet is putting on a fantastic show!!

Unaided-Eye Daytime Comet!!

Date: 12 January 2007 U.T.
Time: 20:54 U.T. (1:54pm local time)
Sky Transparency: Very Good
Temperature: +9 F (-13 C)

Earlier today I posted my first daytime binocular observation of a comet -- complete with sketch. Well, I've now managed to see Comet McNaught in the daytime with the unaided-eye!

I went out (TAKING ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS) and spotted Comet McNaught once more with 20x80 binoculars. This time my single goal was to try to detect the comet with the unaided-eye. Knowing exactly where to look (after the binocular observation) was critical to my success. Of course, the nearby Sun was COMPLETELY blocked from view during the observation.

Twice I suspected that I might have glimpsed the comet with the unaided-eye; but finally I was able to maintain the comet in my vision long enough to remove any remaining doubt! The comet's tiny, bright, pseudo-nucleus could be held more or less indefinitely in my unaided vision. Even a hint of tail was suspected!

I hereby declare Comet NcNaught to be a Daytime Comet to the unaided-eye!

Daytime Binocular Comet!

Date: 12 January 2007 U.T.
Time: 18:50 U.T. (11:50am local)
Binoculars: 20x80 and 8x42
Seeing: Good
NELM: Daytime! in highly transparent sky
Temperature: +5 F (-15 C)


WARNING!! CAUTION!! NEVER look at or toward the Sun with a telescope or binoculars. If the Sun crosses your field of view eye damage or blindness is VERY likely to occur.

As a practicing amateur astronomer since the late 1960s, I've read much on the subject; and I've accumulated a fair amount of experience. Precautions were taken in today's observation that made it physically impossible for me to catch even an accidental glimpse of the Sun while searching for Comet McNaught in the daytime sky.

With the above caution and qualifications in mind, I searched for Comet McNaught in the daytime sky with the aid of 8x42 binoculars. Initially this search was unsuccessful. I switched to 20x80 binoculars. Unlike my 8x42s, my 20x80s have individually focussing eyepieces. This means that the 20x80s were alreadly 'locked' into focus for objects at infinity (Comet McNaught in the evening sky was the last object I had focused on).

I was surprised not only at the brightness of Comet McNaught as seen in the daytime with the 20x80 binoculars, but also at the amount of detail that was visible. The inner portion of the comet's tail was easily visible in the 20x80s! The comet was a very pure white in color. It looked somewhat like a white feather against the deeper blue sky.

The above sketch shows the comet as I saw it with the 20x80s near 12:00 noon. I estimate that I was seeing approximately 15 arcminutes (maybe more) of the comet's tail -- in broad daylight! The observation was made at 18:50 U.T.

After spotting Comet McNaught with the 20x80s I was eventually able to see it with the 8x42s as well. The tail was also visible in the smaller binoculars.

I tried to spot Comet McNaught with the unaided-eye, but was not successful. I judged the comet as "easy" to see with the 20x80s. It wasn't difficult to see with the 8x42s; but it was difficult for the eye to initially acquire.

A Successful Comet Expedition

Date: 11 January 2007 U.T.
Time: 00:21 U.T.
Binoculars: 20x80
Seeing: Good
NELM: Twilight
Temperature: about +35F (+02C)

A growing concern brewed today. Comet McNaught was getting closer to the Sun and growing brighter every day. Would I get a chance to see it again? The weather forecast called for clouds tonight. The prospect for tomorrow looked even worse (no clear skies anywhere nearby). In a matter of days the comet will be too far south to be seen from my location.

Making use of the "Clear Sky Clocks", I checked projected satellite images for cloud cover and transparency in and around my area. Eventually I decided to travel to a semi-promising location in the region around the Montana - Wyoming - South Dakota border.

I quickly tossed into my Jeep a clipboard, one sheet of paper, a pencil, a pen and a flashlight along with 8x42 and 20x80 binoculars. I was soon on the road.

As I approached my targeted area, it began to look like the clouds would increase if I kept driving. So, about 1/2 hour before sunset I stopped about 30 miles short of my original goal. I was on a field-access trail facing west into the Sun.

I was beneath a gigantic V-shaped clearing with its apex near the Sun. Clouds were present to my left and right. A few low, scattered clouds were directly in front of me. Venus was spotted with the 8x42 binoculars, followed by the unaided-eye, prior to sunset. The comet was spotted at 23:37 U.T. (10 January U.T.) with the small binoculars shortly after sunset, higher in the sky than I had ever seen it before. A quick sketch was made at 23:47 U.T. with the aid of hand-held, 20x80 binoculars. I rested both elbows on the Jeep's fender to steady the view.

Some scattered clouds were just below the comet. I hopped into the Jeep and back-tracked about 8 miles to a location from which the comet could be better seen. During the drive I occasionally glanced out the driver's side window at the easily visible, naked-eye comet. I made another quick sketch at 00:04 U.T. (11 January U.T.) Then hopped back into the Jeep and back-tracked a few more miles. Finally, at 00:16 U.T. I stopped for my final observation. A careful sketch was made at this time. It was completed just before a major, low-lying cloud swallowed the comet permanently from view.

My observing locations were on either side of the tiny town of Hammond, Montana on Highway 212. The town of Hammond consisted of only one or two buildings -- or that was all I noticed in my preoccupied state of mind.

The above sketch is based on the final (00:16 U.T.) rough, 20x80 binocular sketch. Based on the 3.0 degree binocular field of view, I estimated the comet's tail to be 1.4 degrees in length. A rough estimate of the comet's brightness placed it at magnitude -2.7 (brighter than Jupiter, but not quite as bright as Venus. The above sketch is oriented correctly in relation to the binocular view.

Comet McNaught's pseudo-nucleus appeared to be non-stellar, disk-shaped, and very bright. It and the inner-most region of the tail took on a very slightly yellow-orange color by the time the final sketch was made. Earlier, with the comet higher in the sky, the only color seen was white -- of various intensities.

The faintest, outermost region of tail was 'imagined' to have a slight reddish color. I say 'imagined' because I'm not convinced that I was really seeing any color there.

The Road Home: On the way home I saw flashing red lights in front of me. As I got closer I saw that those lights were on a tow-truck just off the right side of the highway. Parked perpendicular to the highway, beside the tow-truck, was an 18-wheeler. Nearby was an individual holding a "SLOW" sign.

A little further along the road, down a hill, on the left side of the highway I saw several more vehicles with flashing red and blue lights. Another individual was holding up another "SLOW" sign. I spotted several additional tow-trucks off the left shoulder of the road. Then I saw another 18-wheeler. This one was off the left side of the highway, parallel to the highway, lying on its side. It was facing west, the same direction I was driving.

The highway was clear and dry. I found myself wondering if the driver had gotten distracted by the comet. On the other hand, there were quite a few deer in the area . . .

Anyway, I eventually made it home to completely overcast skies. It started snowing within an hour. My 'Comet Expedition' was a success! I'll feel a little better now if I don't get another chance to see this small, but bright comet.