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Double Comet Spectacular... Maybe

Posted by michael on from the managing-expectations dept.

jd writes "CNN is reporting that two comets, named NEAT and LINEAR after the obervatories that found them, may both be visible in the sky at the same time. The prediction is that they will first be seen in the southern hemisphere in mid-April, becoming visible in the northern skies in May. This is believed to be the first time these comets have passed through the inner solar system, so astronomers are hedging their bets on how bright they will be. Guesses range from plus infinity to minus infinity."

3 of 28 comments (clear)

  1. Brightness by epsilon720 · · Score: 5, Informative
    Minus infinity being, of course, the brightest. Stupid astronomers.

    (I should point out that the sun has an apparent magnitude of only around -26, so minus infinity is a pretty damn bright comet.)

  2. Brightness charts out for a month already by dtolman · · Score: 5, Informative

    Sky and Telescope has had an estimated brightness chart posted since the beginning of February. The article has already been updated to say one of the comets is falling behind the initial estimated brightness. Basically - expect a good show if you have a telescope or a good set of binoculars - don't expect a spector of doom hanging in the sky...

  3. Re:prediction... by Spudley · · Score: 3, Informative

    Bah. No-one appreciates a bad pun any more. ;)

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)