Comet Lovejoy visible in the night sky - 0 views

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  #1 Sandra Flores on 05 Jan 15

   

  Observing Tip: Comet Lovejoy visible in the night sky
  Lovejoy has developed over the past few weeks, far better than predicted - the chances of being able to see him in January with the naked eye, are good.
  
  
  The name "Lovejoy" comets observers have been used in recent years: After the "Great Christmas Comet" of 2011 (C / 2011 W3) and the "ISON Replacement" C / 2013 R3 last year is approaching Terry Lovejoy latest (fifth already) comet discovery that the earth: C / 2014 Q2 - and this comet is named after its discoverer.
  
  In its discovery in August 2014 seemed to C / 2014 Q2 as a weak spot in the southern constellation Puppis (the stern). Early forecasts assumed that the comet mid-January, a maximum 8th mag ( magnitude would reach) - so that he would be at best become an object for binoculars observers. But Lovejoy rose: In the following weeks, its brightness rose more than expected, and it succeeded the experienced observer of comets David Seargent in Australia to behold already on 13 December with the naked eye. More sightings from Australia and South America have confirmed this development. Both the morning of the 14th of December 17 and was also the author of these lines see the comet under very dark skies from Chile without optical aids - no more than an inconspicuous point of light, but still. In the 10x50 binoculars Lovejoy was 6 like to see light at least 15 minutes of arc large coma, but the tail was found only in photographs.
  
  On December 20, Seargent reported that he could make in a 25x100 large binoculars the tail for the first time. In the meantime, other observers estimated the brightness of the comet might even 5.5 to 5.7. Should this trend continue, probably C / 2014 Q2 even in mid-January 4 to 4.5 may achieve and become one of the most beautiful northern sky comet in recent years.
  Ideal viewing position
  
  For a long time Lovejoy was visible to south half ball , but he travels nearly perpendicular to the ecliptic to the north and enters just before Christmas for Central Europeans the sky stage. Last weekend it sighted from the comet observer Burkhard Leitner from Austria - the first observation window has already opened it. Up until the New Year night increases C / 2014 Q2 hardly above the horizon haze. He strides through the constellations Columba (dove) and Lepus (Hare) northward. On the second January, he passes into the extended constellation Eridanus, the first few nights of the new year, you can find him about 9 degrees southwest of the bright star Rigel.
  
  Best observation window mid-January
  
  As of December 28, but the bright moonlight hinders the observations considerably. Full moon on January 5, then the moon slowly withdraws from the evening sky. On January 7, Lovejoy is at perigee, he happened to our planet while at a safe distance of 70 million kilometers. At the same time opens the second - and best - observation window: On January 9, Lovejoy is excreted in the constellation Taurus, on 16 finally in the constellation Aries. His Kulminationshöhe (maximum height above the horizon) rises to 40 degrees and 60 degrees at a later elongation (angular distance from the sun) of about 100 degrees and largely without disturbing moonlight. This Lovejoy is best seen in the evening hours after dusk - an ideal viewing position. From 17 to 19 January, the comet moves at a distance of about 8 degrees on the Pleiades star cluster (M45) over a charming motif for wide angle photographers
  

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Observing Tip: Comet Lovejoy visible in the night sky<br />Lovejoy has developed over the past few weeks, far better than predicted - the chances of being able to see him in January with the naked eye, are good.<br /><br /><br />The name "Lovejoy" comets observers have been used in recent years: After the "Great Christmas Comet" of 2011 (C / 2011 W3) and the "ISON Replacement" C / 2013 R3 last year is approaching Terry Lovejoy latest (fifth already) comet discovery that the earth: C / 2014 Q2 - and this comet is named after its discoverer.<br /><br />In its discovery in August 2014 seemed to C / 2014 Q2 as a weak spot in the southern constellation Puppis (the stern). Early forecasts assumed that the comet mid-January, a maximum 8th mag ( magnitude would reach) - so that he would be at best become an object for binoculars observers. But Lovejoy rose: In the following weeks, its brightness rose more than expected, and it succeeded the experienced observer of comets David Seargent in Australia to behold already on 13 December with the naked eye. More sightings from Australia and South America have confirmed this development. Both the morning of the 14th of December 17 and was also the author of these lines see the comet under very dark skies from Chile without optical aids - no more than an inconspicuous point of light, but still. In the 10x50 binoculars Lovejoy was 6 like to see light at least 15 minutes of arc large coma, but the tail was found only in photographs.<br /><br />On December 20, Seargent reported that he could make in a 25x100 large binoculars the tail for the first time. In the meantime, other observers estimated the brightness of the comet might even 5.5 to 5.7. Should this trend continue, probably C / 2014 Q2 even in mid-January 4 to 4.5 may achieve and become one of the most beautiful northern sky comet in recent years.<br />Ideal viewing position<br /><br />For a long time Lovejoy was visible to south half ball , but he travels nearly perpendicular to the ecliptic to the north and enters just before Christmas for Central Europeans the sky stage. Last weekend it sighted from the comet observer Burkhard Leitner from Austria - the first observation window has already opened it. Up until the New Year night increases C / 2014 Q2 hardly above the horizon haze. He strides through the constellations Columba (dove) and Lepus (Hare) northward. On the second January, he passes into the extended constellation Eridanus, the first few nights of the new year, you can find him about 9 degrees southwest of the bright star Rigel. <br /><br />Best observation window mid-January<br /><br />As of December 28, but the bright moonlight hinders the observations considerably. Full moon on January 5, then the moon slowly withdraws from the evening sky. On January 7, Lovejoy is at perigee, he happened to our planet while at a safe distance of 70 million kilometers. At the same time opens the second - and best - observation window: On January 9, Lovejoy is excreted in the constellation Taurus, on 16 finally in the constellation Aries. His Kulminationshöhe (maximum height above the horizon) rises to 40 degrees and 60 degrees at a later elongation (angular distance from the sun) of about 100 degrees and largely without disturbing moonlight. This Lovejoy is best seen in the evening hours after dusk - an ideal viewing position. From 17 to 19 January, the comet moves at a distance of about 8 degrees on the Pleiades star cluster (M45) over a charming motif for wide angle photographers<br /></div>

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