it has no tail but is just visible with the naked eye,through a cheap spotter scope it is huge!. obviously the sun at this time is in the southern hemispere so that would explain the lack of tail but would like to know if this object is "known" and if it is what name does it go by? thanks!
2007-11-01 14:10:55 · 15 answers · asked by george m (eat that bun in one ) 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
http://www.spaceweather.com/
Check out this site, on the main page it talks about your comet, Comet 17P/Holmes.
2007-11-01 14:18:13 · answer #1 · answered by angel_eyes8869 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
If you are near the northern hemisphere chances are that you are seeing comet 17PHolmes, that is currently leaving the sun. This has been all over the news according the Canadian Astronomical Societies.
Comet 17PHolmes can be seen near the consellation Persius near the horizon, a little farther out is Cassiopeia.
The comet looks brighter than Venus right now, though the comet has been in the sky for 2 years now, its only recently brilliantly flashes in the sky that has caught the scientists attention as well as by amateur star gazers.
Check it out tonight, it is really cool
2007-11-01 15:12:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A friend told me today of a broken up comet visible in the north or northeastern sky. Approx. 35 degrees form the horizon (he was guessing). Traveling away from the sun. Not much in the way of details I'm afraid. And he didn't know it's name. According to him, it's evidently in pieces?
Sorry for the incomplete data, but I haven't had the chance to check it out.
2007-11-01 14:20:05 · answer #3 · answered by poolplayer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its probably the new comet 17P/Holmes - its in Perseus (not next to but relatively close to the Pleides).
There are articles on it in Astronomy.com and space.com.
Since the tail is pointing away from it right now in its orbit, it only appears as a fuzzy ball.
It recently brightened to naked-eye magnitude
2007-11-01 14:18:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Sun in the Southern hemisphere, object in Northern sky- left and down a bit from Pleides. Ah, er- nope, can't see it.
2007-11-01 14:21:07 · answer #5 · answered by Spotlight 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
That would be the planet Uterpio. It's noticable only in the fall in the Northern Hemisphere. It's viewable after sundown and only for a short time until the Autumnal equinox is over.
Enjoy it, and get ready for viewing the planet Oxtempa in the Spring. You will love it, it's clear and you can see it from the North early - before dawn.
2007-11-01 14:15:34 · answer #6 · answered by antwon from the 'hood 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Yes, there is a tailless comet in area of Pleiades. It is called Comet 71P/Holmes.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/10775326.html
2007-11-01 14:33:42 · answer #7 · answered by sskarmar 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hmmmm? I know I'll ask Brian May.
For those of you who may not know it Brian May studied astronomy and has appeared on the BBC programme The Sky At Night.
2007-11-01 14:30:55 · answer #8 · answered by Dragon 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
from what I remeber from my natural disasters class
a commet is an object from space that comes down to earth and catches fire (which creates the tale you are talking about)
I only got a B in the class and I don't remeber anything so I am not a very reliable source for this subject
2007-11-01 14:16:04 · answer #9 · answered by 1960story 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Wait `til Sky Lab falls!
2007-11-01 14:13:18 · answer #10 · answered by Steve M 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋