okay i just heard from some guy on my question say a comet was coming tonight, can anyone tell me the time, i want to see it
2007-10-28 20:16:19 · 3 answers · asked by piano guy 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The comet's name is Holmes. I've attached a link that shows where to look in the sky. It came out about 3 days ago and is expected to fade soon. Without binoculars or a telescope it won't look like much (so don't expect it to look like Haley's comet) but Astronomers are interested because it just got brighter by several orders of magnitude (the equivilent of Saturn appearing as bright as the moon overnight!)
2007-10-28 20:31:27 · answer #1 · answered by The Fred 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"a comet was coming tonight"
Wrong on several counts. This comet was discovered in 1892, and is currently "going" (moving away from the Earth) rather than "coming." It is interesting because it was very faint until a few nights ago, when it suddenly increased in brightness nearly a million times. It is visible all night in the Northern Hemisphere, currently about 4 degrees away from the bright star Mirfak in the constellation Perseus. It appears as a star to the naked eye, but in binoculars or a telescope looks a bit like a fried egg.
2007-10-29 02:35:17 · answer #2 · answered by GeoffG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Comet 17P/Holmes
"Look for a yellow 2.5th-magnitude fuzzball in the constellation Perseus after sunset. ("2.5th magnitude" means a little dimmer than the stars of the Big Dipper.) At present the comet looks more like a star than a comet; it does not have a discernable tail, but it might grow one as the outburst continues...."
2007-10-28 21:07:29 · answer #3 · answered by Lutfor 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋