FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] A NEAT Sunset Comet

["Derek Poertner" <macdirk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Last night after printing out the February edition of "Skymap", I saw there
was supposed to be a new comet.  I had not heard of comet NEAT before this.
Judging the time (about 6:50) and position I figured I ought to be able to
see it.  As far as the obstructions of houses, trees, and the glow on the
horizen, I figured probably not, but what the heck.  From my front yard with
all the street lights and neighbors flood lights, I could barely make out
the the great square of Pegasus.  No luck finding any fuzzy balls either.  I
decided  to try the back yard, where I'm blocked from all but one street
light.  Pegasus was easily seen so I scanned slightly below and between the
lower part of the square and the Circlet in Pisces with my binocs.  Within
about a minute or so,  I saw something too bright and fuzzy to be anything
but a comet.  I quickly ran inside and drug out my new "almost built" 6"
dob.  Within another couple minutes or so I had the scope setup and found
it.  I showed the kids and continued to follow it till it went below the
block wall.  I'm not much at estimating the Mag of Comets, but I'd have to
say about 5.  I could definately see a tail - not much but it was there.

Has anybody else been following this guy?  How much longer should we be able
to see it?  I bet it'd look nice in a dark sky.

Derek Poertner

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