[AZ-Observing] Re: A NEAT Sunset Comet

Derek wrote:
 
-----------------------------
 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.
-----------------------------
 
 Have viewed this from Vekol on two occasions and it is a very nice
comet. Your magnitude estimate is very close and I have also placed
it at 5, although I'm not a expert comet observer, to be sure. Have 
been following it from my backyard with 11x80's binoculars or a MK67
Maksutov 6" on alternate nights whenever the weather is ok. It should
be visible for a few more days. It is not moving very fast in its own
proper motion, but it is in a constellation that is setting earlier
each night as Spring approaches and the later sunset each night.
Have seen some details in the Coma of the comet, a stellar nucleus and
a tail that has grown to some two degrees. It was an easy sight last
night without optics, but not as good as Comet Ikeya/Zhang was at about 
the same time and place in the sky last year. 
  Try a sketch or two of it the next time you view.
 
  Can be very rewarding.

 Russ.
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