Everything Science Forum

For those of you watching the night skies: this comet is very bright now apparently: http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/0017P/2007.html
and that came quite suddenly.
see also www.spaceweather.com

It has been forever since I have posted here, but right now I am getting an awesome view of Comet Holmes. It is definately the brightest comet since Hale-Bopp way back in 1997. I estimate the magnitude of Comet Holmes between 2 and 2.5, with a definate yellowish glow. Pretty amazing that it is so easily visible despite combined light pollution and moonlight.
PS, I know Comet McNaught was actually the brightest since Hale-Bopp, but I didn't count that one because I didn't get to see it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17P/Holmes
Apparently it's still bright and visible in the Constellation Perseus.

This is night number four of observing Comet Holmes, for me. The comet is definately holding it's own in brightness, despite the ever expanding coma. That tells me that the comet is still spewing large amounts of dust and gases, for now. At least I am getting some really awesome views of the comet w/ my binos, and my telescope. :1thumbup

I set up the scope last night in the backyard for a look and quickly figured out binoculars and a long lens on a camera did a pretty nice job as well.

Fisherman, very cool!  :1thumbup
What was the exposure time?
What kind of lense?  And is that camera a DSLR?

I set up the scope last night in the backyard for a look and quickly figured out binoculars and a long lens on a camera did a pretty nice job as well.

Awesome picture, man. Just like Astronuc, I am curious as to what type of equipment you have used to get this awesome shot of Comet Holmes.

Hello Astronuc, Thanks for the compliment. I used a Canon 20D with a 100-400 zoom at 400 mm, exposure was 5 seconds at f 5.6. I used Photo Shop to bring out the stars for more contrast. Yes, it is a DSLR. I had it set up on a tripod of course but the unique "accident" was that the movement from settling was just right so as to not get tails. (I took many photos; this was the best one of the bunch.) I may try to hook this up to my Meade 200 LX since I have a camera mount for it. (Strapped on the top and balanced with counterweight.)

Cool!  Fisherman, thanks for the information on the camera.  I'm looking at DSLRs and I'm partial to Canon.  I've had an F1 since 1973, but I haven't shot film in so long.  I now use a Kodak DX6490, but that's very limited.  A friend has a Nikon with a 100-400 Zoom, so I'm looking for something equivalent in a Canon.
That's a nice exposure for 5 s.  Wow!
 :koala

The coma of Comet Holmes is now larger than the sun. However, the comet is still visible to the unaided eye, even from modest cities, although w/ slight difficulty, but from more rural locales, much more striking. For more info, go here, www.skyandtelescope.com. I have been getting great views of Comet Holmes thru my scope in rural north MS for the past week. Now I am back in N.O., and have to settle for seeing the comet in light polluted skies, (BOO, HISS!),but will be keeping tabs on Comet Holmes for whatever how long the show lasts. At least I was able to get great views of Comet Holmes that I won't forget about anytime soon.