Comet McNaught

[WildGarlic]

I spotted this this afternoon while I was taking sunset pics - It's apparently visible at dawn in the east and around sunset or just after in the west. In both cases it's relatively low on the horizon.

Some really good shots and more info Here

[glsammy]

A good shot and an excellent link. Thanks for the info. Any chance of uploading the image to one of our Galleries?
We prefer them that way so that we don't end up with broken links at a later date. You could upload it into the Astronomy gallery, or as a Forum Post.

[Susie]

Thank you for posting that, WildGarlic. Very interesting.

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Somebody mentioned this to me the other day, how long is it visable for(what date until )?

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

Somebody mentioned this to me the other day, how long is it visable for(what date until )?

Read in a newspaper somewhere can't remember which one that it would not be visible after this weekend.
Roger

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Looks like i missed it then

[carlos_dfc]

You may still have another day or two.

I've seen reports of it being spotted in BROAD DAYLIGHT - there are also photos of this on Spaceweather.com.

Been watching for the last couple of days myself, but too much cloud

Today it is about 7 degrees left and down of the Sun (at about 8 0clock on a clock face)
A closed fist held at arm's length covers about 5 degrees of sky.

Tomorrow it will be lower, and further away from the Sun (at about 7 0clock position) - and on Wednesday it won't get much above the horizon.

I saw it last wednesday, just after sunset, when it was about 10 degrees above the Sun - but am still watching - wishing for the clouds to clear - hoping to spot it during the day - a daylight comet is VERY rare.

[GuyF]

While on the computer I about 5 minutes ago I looked up and saw a fairly bright short white streak in the sky which appeared to be heading upwards (not down like the other pictures). Was this the comet or was it just a plane?
Guy

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by GuyF

While on the computer I about 5 minutes ago I looked up and saw a fairly bright short white streak in the sky which appeared to be heading upwards (not down like the other pictures). Was this the comet or was it just a plane?
Guy

I think the comet would appear as pretty static in the sky. Perhaps you caught sight of a shooting star...or a plane.

[GuyF]

Thanks Wild-Woman, I think it must've been a plane because it was very bright and was definetely moving upwards.
Thanks again
Guy

[carlos_dfc]

Today the comet WAS pointing upwards to the right - pretty much straight at the Sun..
Or more accurately - the tail points pretty much AWAY from the Sun (down and to the left)

If the object appeared static, and was left of, and lower than, the Sun - it may have been the Comet.

If it was moving though - it certainly wasn't - Comets move VERY slowly, far too slowly for the movement to be perceived when looking at it.

[weathergirl]

From Spaceweather.com... McNaught is the brightest comet for 32 years.

"DAYTIME COMET: Comet McNaught is now visible in broad daylight. "It's fantastic," reports Wayne Winch of Bishop, California. "I put the sun behind a neighbor's house to block the glare and the comet popped right into view. You can even see the tail."

This trick is best performed around local noon: Go outside and stand in the shadow of a building. Face south. The comet lies 5 degrees to the left of the sun. (Five degrees is the width of your fist held at arm's length.)"

[Beryl]

I saw it a few night ago very briefly between clouds. been to overcast since. and then my ceiling decende to the floor and now I can't get near the winows.

[Jolanta Zofia Nowak]

Just to say that I had a couple of good views from here in Wilts although mainly the weather and local redsky didn't help.

Here's hoping we get another before too long!

[carlos_dfc]

'Astronomy Now' magazine were asking on the SPA forums for people who had spotted it to send in a short report...
Had an e-mail from them yesterday - they're gonna print mine