[AZ-Observing] Re: Comet PanSTARRS briefly seen
- From: "Jimmy Ray" <jimmy_ray@xxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:45:55 -0700
Great report Brent (your cluster is still evil ;-)). Your visual observation
is excellent (what did I expect from a professional astronomer? :-) ) and a
near identical verbal description of what Sam Rua's image appears to show as
well. No joy from Glendale this evening but from what is being reported, and
shown it looks like I need to find a spot with a less obscured western
horizon. I have a flat open, mile long field about a mile north of me to
try from tomorrow night. This could be a fun little comet.
Thank you,
Jimmy Ray
-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Brent Archinal
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2013 7:47 PM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Brent Archinal
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Comet PanSTARRS briefly seen
Managed to see Comet PanSTARRS (C/2011 L4) from 7:19-7:24 PM MST this
evening, from about a degree above the horizon down into the trees. This
from a parking lot at work (McMillan mesa in Flagstaff, looking west over
Observatory mesa) and by maneuvering between nearby trees. The comet was
spotted with 10x30 IS binoculars, still in the orange twilight glow, and the
coma appeared to be only 2nd-3rd magnitude or so, although that's probably
much fainter than the true magnitude given the low altitude and twilight.
It was briefly visible with the unaided eye with difficulty.
The binoculars showed a ~15 arcminute narrow "V" shaped (and outlined)
tail, angling noticeably off to the upper left. The coma was quite reddish,
probably again due to the low altitude. Skies were clear, at 36 degrees F,
and windy.
Hopefully it will look better, perhaps a little brighter and with a longer
tail, as it moves higher in the sky in the next few days.
- Brent Archinal
Flagstaff, AZ
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