1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Frustrating Comet PanSTARRS

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by wjtracy, Mar 15, 2013.

  1. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,314
    3,588
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Finally saw this comet today. Its below the Moon.
    Ran all around town again trying to see the comet low in the horizon.
    Finally saw it in binos at 8PM at the local elementary school, just above the trees.
    Then saw it 8:20 a few blocks from home but I had to stand in the street and move when cars came. Hard to see unless you have binos and know where to look and have good horizon view.
    This was about the 3rd nite I tried to find it.

    Any other sightings?
     
  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,123
    10,048
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I see a solid winter overcast. And water droplets on my glasses.
    :( :mad:
     
  3. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    1,968
    813
    0
    Location:
    L.I.- NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Is it going to be in the same (relative) position tonight?
    If it's clear here I'll give it a shot.
     
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,314
    3,588
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    So the moon is getting higher every nite. And the comet is low and moving a little right of the moon every nite. Start looking about 30 min after sunset and keep in mind the comet is above the sun. So if you can see sunset you are good. So look about 3 fist widths at arms length down from the moon and maybe 2 fist widths to the right maybe 5 to 10 degree high in other words on the horizon
     
  5. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    1,968
    813
    0
    Location:
    L.I.- NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks- the prospects for tonight aren't looking good- it's snowing now!

    Hopefully the comet is in google skymap app for my tablet- that makes it very easy to find!
     
  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,314
    3,588
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    ^^^I have to try that app I have skymap for years very old version, before laptops let alone ipad.
    Yes no comet for us until next week sometime looks like...I joined the local astronomy club becuase they had a skywatch tonite but it was cancelled.