Watching For Comets

[The15thMember]

I went outside last night with my telescope to see comet C/2022 E3, which is visible in the sky right now.  It's pretty easy to find with binoculars, and as it nears earth, it could become visible with the naked eye by the time it makes its closest approach to us on Feb. 1.  It's got a nice green glow right now, although not too spectacular of a tail with my telescope magnification at least.  Anyone else taken a look at it?
https://www.space.com/comet-c2022-e3-ztf-how-to-see-approach-earth

As a result, I've had this song stuck in my head all day.  It didn't help that I made it my alarm this morning. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWb4LUpL6Io

[Ben Framed]

Thanks for the heads up Reagan. I wont get to look toninght because its raining here, maybe tomorrow night.

Phillip

[Michael Bush]

I haven't.  There is a telescope out in my barn with a 12" lens.  I suppose I should drag it out.  But the temps here are in the single digits right now...

[The15thMember]

I haven't.  There is a telescope out in my barn with a 12" lens.  I suppose I should drag it out.  But the temps here are in the single digits right now...

That's big for a refractor!  And the colder it is, the clearer the atmosphere!    I have a 4.5 in Dobsonian reflector.  I really like it, but the only pain is that I have to set it up on something to conveniently look through the eyepiece, unless the telescope is pointed straight up.  I used to have this little wooden outdoor table that was perfectly sized for it, but it's getting all rotted through now.  I keep meaning to try and make a duplicate using the old one as a model, but I have yet to get around to it. 

[Michael Bush]

My brother gave me this one.  I tried to get my son and my granddaughter to set it up.  It's even got a motor to track etc.  I don't know how well it tracks though.  Probably better than nothing.  If you come to visit or to go to Bee Camp, you're welcome to set it up and see what you think.  :)

[The15thMember]

My brother gave me this one.  I tried to get my son and my granddaughter to set it up.  It's even got a motor to track etc.  I don't know how well it tracks though.  Probably better than nothing.  If you come to visit or to go to Bee Camp, you're welcome to set it up and see what you think.  :)

Sounds fun!  Nebraska is a little far for me, but maybe if I end up out that way some time. 

[Kathyp]

Just finished this book for a little alt history fun:  https://grahamhancock.com/magicians/

He has some interesting perspectives and in this book, one of those ideas is the return of a previous planet killer comet.  Sometimes alt is correct.  I always figure it's worth knowing

[The15thMember]

Just finished this book for a little alt history fun:  https://grahamhancock.com/magicians/

He has some interesting perspectives and in this book, one of those ideas is the return of a previous planet killer comet.  Sometimes alt is correct.  I always figure it's worth knowing

It's true.  This comet wasn't even discovered until it was already inside the orbit of Jupiter, which would be pretty late to do anything if the thing was on a collision course. 

[Michael Bush]

When Halley couldn't account mathematically for differences in the recurrence of the comet (named after him now) he was directed to Isaac Newton who had the math to solve it.  When he asked Newton why he didn't publish this math of his, he was told that Newton couldn't afford it.  So Halley helped finance the publication of Philosophi? Naturalis Principia Mathematica in 1687 and changed the world.