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Comet McNaught Visible in Broad Daylight

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the so's-yer-mom dept.

AbsoluteXyro writes "As the amateur astronomers among us already know, Comet McNaught has been gracing the early morning and late evening skies... as it approaches the Sun, some estimate it has the potential to become 40 times brighter than Venus, or a magnitude of -8.8! In fact, it has recently been reported at SpaceWeather.com that Comet McNaught is now visible in broad daylight! From the article: "It's fantastic," reports Wayne Winch of Bishop, California. "I put the sun behind a neighbor's house to block the glare and the comet popped right into view. You can even see the tail.""

10 of 98 comments (clear)

  1. yeah, now only if it would stop raining outside... by acroyear · · Score: 4, Insightful

    seriously, how long will it be in that general area of the sky at that time? DC's got rain and clouds for at least the next 2 days...

    --
    "But remember, most lynch mobs aren't this nice." (H.Simpson)
    -- Joe
  2. Put the Sun by blantonl · · Score: 5, Funny

    "I put the sun behind a neighbor's house to block the glare and the comet popped right into view. You can even see the tail."

    He moved the sun. Impressive.

    --
    Lindsay Blanton
    RadioReference.com
  3. BINOCULARS WARNING - don't use in daytime by jamie · · Score: 5, Informative

    This may sound obvious, but DO NOT use binoculars during the day to look at objects near the sun. One slip and you get instant, permanent, crippling eye damage.

    The linked stories do talk about binoculars, but they were written for looking at the comet after sunset.

    1. Re:BINOCULARS WARNING - don't use in daytime by skoaldipper · · Score: 5, Funny

      PL ea ese m od parre nt up 1! I f on ly i h ad re ad thiis e a rrleier ,

      --
      I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
    2. Re:BINOCULARS WARNING - don't use in daytime by Tx · · Score: 5, Funny

      Warning on telescope - "Do not view the sun with remaining eye".

      --
      Oh no... it's the future.
  4. Too late - get south of the equator... by Animaether · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://skytonight.com/observing/highlights/5133461 .html

    "If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, January 12th is your last good opportunity to catch Comet McNaught in the evening twilight -- though January 13th isn't completely out of the question. After that, Comet McNaught will become a target for observers in the Southern Hemisphere, as shown below."

    Today is January 14th.

    1. Re:Too late - get south of the equator... by Mard · · Score: 4, Informative

      The comet is visible in DAYLIGHT from any hemisphere, because the sun is visible FROM BOTH HALVES OF THE EARTH. C'mon, this is basic geometry. Go outside, block the sun with the shadow from a building, and look about 5 degrees (a fist's width at arm's length) to the east of the Sun (northern hemisphere, this is to your left when looking towards the sun). If the sun is clear, you should see it in a moment or two.

      --
      DRM = Digitally Restricted Media. This is a viral sig, pass it on.
  5. It's too bad no one predicted this one by freeweed · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Every few years, it seems, we've had another comet that was supposed to be "best comet of the century!!!", and all my life, they've been fizzling. A couple have been OK, but there's been a dearth of really bright, visible comets since before I was born.

    This sucker, I wish someone would have hyped the hell out of. IT IS THAT BRIGHT. The problem is, hardly anyone (including Slashdot) was reporting on it until it was damn near gone. There were about 2-4 nights where it was incredibly bright, brighter than Venus, and visible just at sunset for about half an hour or so. VERY close to the horizon but for the first time in my life, light pollution meant nothing. I was able to see this thing while driving around, so long as I had a clear view of the horizon to the west. Most comets you have to hunt for, use binoculars, maps, you name it. This thing had a very long tail, just sitting there in plain view.

    It's been the best comet of the past 3 decades at least. Unfortunately the vast majority of the planet missed out, as these reports have all come after the fact. Plus, it's now barely visible for those in the northern hemisphere.

    I'm gonna try this daytime trick out, because if it's like the sunset viewing conditions, it will be 10x as cool as is described here.

    --
    Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
  6. I saw it! In broad daylight! by The+Bad+Astronomer · · Score: 5, Informative

    I can confirm this: I just saw the comet at 10:30 a.m. local time Sunday morning! Incredible. In all my years as an astronomer I have never seen anything like this. Using my binoculars I could easily spot it 5 degrees from the Sun. I'm trying to get video now, but it's so close it will be difficult. I made a videoblog about this the other day. I'll have to update it now!

    --
    *** Phil Plait, aka The Bad Astronomer http://www.badastronomy.com
  7. Re:He moved the sun. Impressive. by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    The first fool I see putting the sun behind my house is going to get his fucking head crushed between my outstretched thumb and forefinger.