On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:48:21 -0000, Les Hemmings wrote in


Just got home after sitting in a Canterbury field for half an hour. My first
naked eye comet! Beautiful.. even better with binoculars. After all the
weather these past few days i'm a very happy bunny! Easily spotted as soon
as Venus became visible... to the right about a handspan (at arms length)
and down a little. I was peering for ages expecting something very faint but
then there it was! Huge and bright and a classic comet shape.

It seems it may be the brightest in many years. I've just received this in
nn email from spaceweather.com

quote
Comet McNaught has continued to brighten as it approaches the sun and it is
now the brightest comet in 30 years. For observers in the northern
Hemisphere, tonight is probably the best time to see it: Go outside this
evening and face the sunset. A clear view of the western horizon is
essential, because the comet hangs very low. As the twilight fades to
black, it should become visible to the naked eye. Observers say it's a
fantastic sight through binoculars.

In the days ahead, Comet McNaught will pass the sun and emerge in good
position for southern hemisphere viewing later this month. Meanwhile,
solar heating will continue to puff up the comet, causing it to brighten
even more. It could become one of the brightest comets in centuries,
visible even in daylit skies
endquote
--
Mike Tullett - Coleraine 55.13°N 6.69°W posted 10/01/2007 19:21:23 GMT