Comet McNaught
Published 1 year, 11 months ago in Entertainment.I’ll be out in the open tonight trying to catch a glimpse of comet McNaught. It only comes around every 85,000 years, so I’m hoping it can still be seen. The best days to see it were Jan 14, 15 and 16. But the smoke haze and then, of course, Melbourne’s cloudy weather meant the comet was out of sight. I’ve noticed the sky is clear this afternoon, so fingers crossed it will stay that way until tonight. Best time to look is just as the sun sets. You need to be in an area where you can see the horizon without any obstructions in front of you. Then look towards where the sun is setting, and then up and to the left (between 5 and 45 degrees). Remember not to look directly at the sun if using a telescope or binoculars or it will burn your eyes out. Let me know if you go out there and catch a glimpse.
7 Responses to “Comet McNaught ”
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I was out there last night and the comet was clearly visible without binoculars. It appeared in the south west sky around 9.30pm and it was a beautiful sight, with a very long tail. Did anyone else get out there? Anyone manage to get a pic? Has anyone read this post? Anyone?
I presume its very low in the sky? have you many trees in your line of sight or did you get to somewher clear?
I heard some people on the radio describe it like a powerful torchlight. Must try and check it out tonight instead of snoozing on the couch…
I went to St. Kilda beach last night. There was cloud on the horizon, but the comet did appear for a few moments in breaks in the cloud. It’s pretty impressive, but I read diminishing in intensity. Look for it around and after dusk just to the left of where the sun goes down and up a bit from the horizon. 9 pm and thereafter is probably a good time.
Didn’t see the comet last night…did anyone? I kept looking but nothing appeared…has it left us?
hi Mike…i’d suggest going somewhere where it’s clear, but you should still be able to see it about 30 to 40 degrees above the horizon in suburbia. You need to look southwest from about 9.15pm at night. it has dimmed somewhat in 24 hours, so make sure you try tonight. A good place to see it is Mt Ridley Rd in Mickleham. But otherwise anywhere where there is an unobstructed view of the horizon is fine. Good luck.
Magpie, still have a look tonight…it will be out there. it actually looks quite ghostly in appearance. At first, you’re not quite sure if what you’re looking at is a comet, but it is. look to the left of where the sun sets and about 30 degrees up from the horizon. any time after 9.15pm is good. If you find that you can’t see it, just hang around until just before 10pm.