[AZ-Observing] Re: Comet PanSTARRS briefly seen
- From: Brent Archinal <planetmeasurer@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:48:32 -0700
Caught the comet again this evening, a little higher up, a little brighter,
with a little longer tail. First seen at 7:13 PM and again with
binoculars, ~3 degrees up from the horizon. Once located it was easily
seen with the unaided eye. This time it was perhaps first magnitude against
the bright sky, and (back in binoculars) with a half degree, still
"V"-shaped tail, with some detail visible (an extra longitudinal streak) in
the tail. The coma was still reddish, and the color deepened as it set.
The brightness was varying due to seeing, and eventually got 1-2
magnitudes fainter as it set behind the tree line at 7:30 PM.
So a very good naked eye comet, but certainly not at the bright end of the
forecasts in brightness. Should be a nice sight to the left of the
crescent Moon tomorrow evening.
- Brent
---------- Forwarded message ----------
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Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:46:37 -0700
Subject: Comet PanSTARRS briefly seen
From: Brent Archinal <planetmeasurer@xxxxxxxxx>
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
...
End of az-observing Digest V13 #59
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