[AZ-Observing] Re: Glimpse of Lulin

15480 Empire Rd.
Benson, AZ 85602
hm ph: 520-586-2244
We were wrestling with the clouds down in SE AZ, too, but there were big enough 
breaks that I pulled out my 20x100 binos and had a nice view of the comet. I 
detected a nearly 2 degree long tail, no hint of an anti-tail. The temperature 
was very comfortable, though not quite shirtsleeve weather. We had persistent 
high, thin clouds that made my western sky look like a fluorescent light bulb 
hanging over Tucson. 

Clear skies, 
Wayne (aka Mr. Galaxy)


-- Wayne Westlake <24launch@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
First off, thanks everyone who replied regarding my question if the launch
of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory Mission would be visible from Phoenix.
Sadly as many of you probably have read the payload failed to separate and
ended up back on Earth somewhere in Antarctica.  Thanks though for the links
so I can try to catch upcoming launches - but at sunset!
Regarding the comet, I was surprised to find that it isn't where my Starry
Night (6.2) and online finders charts show it to be.  The showed it for both
the evening of the 23rd and morning of the 24th to be close to, but
definitely SW of Saturn.

Fighting the waves of cloud cover from Central Phoenix, I started looking in
earnest around 10:30pm.  I would start with Saturn and just start panning
back & forth as I moved down and to the left of it.  Panning isn't so easy
with my 10" Orion Dob.  More than once I thought I caught a meteor shower!

When that failed I'd start with Saturn again and in my finder's scope aim
the scope to about where the comet SHOULD be, again according to the online
charts and my software.  Still no luck.  All during this there were waves of
high, fast moving clouds that would at times completely obscure Saturn and
the surrounding area.  Saturn by the way looked beautiful though even with
my 6mil eyepiece it looked nothing more than a bright yellowish spot with a
bright line running across it and sticking out on either side.  No
discernable surface features.  I was able to discern 3 moons, two close and
on the right side and one farther away on the left side as seen reversed in
the eyepiece.

Anyway, as you are all no doubt getting bored with my narrative so was my
wife with my grumblings and talking to the comet as I was trying to find it
so I got her my binocs (8x50-something-or-other) and asked her to help.
After about 3 minutes she said well, I see something that looks like a
smudge but it's off the the right of Saturn and slightly down.  I said well
how big is it and she said much much larger than Saturn.  I sat down beside
her and yes, with the binocs I could see it as well - a very faint
smudgy/fuzzy spot - almost had to use averted vision to see it.

Jumped back on the scope and after some wrestlign/panning found it.  Yep,
definitely the comet!  I don't have any filters so from Central Phoenix (7th
& Camelback) the light pollution didn't help me pull it out any more than a
fuzzy patch.  Tried my eyepieces from 25mm down to my 6mm but seeing just
wasn't good enough to detect the nucleus from the rest of the smudge other
than knowing it was in the center.  And I couldn't really discern a tail.

I'm hoping it will be clear tonight and now I know WHERE to look, perhaps I
can get some better detail.

Clear Skies!


Wayne Westlake


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