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+--- Thread: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) (/showthread.php?tid=15321)
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New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - TomK - 12-31-2014
Here's a possible new year's treat for sky watchers; Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2). It should be relatively easy to spot from Hawaii although it will be fairly faint and not particularly spectacular. It's visible now (around 5th Magnitude) but the moon could be a problem. Over the next couple of weeks it will get brighter and the moon will be less of a problem.
It's highest just before midnight right now. If you can find Orion then it's easy to find. From Orion's belt go down to the two bright stars below (one of which is Rigel) and then continue going down the same distance again, the comet should be there. Astronomy Magazine has a finder chart:
http://www.astronomy.com/observing/sky-events/2014/12/comet-lovejoy-puts-on-a-show-in-the-winter-sky
Good luck, and have a wonderful New Year!
RE: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - birdmove - 12-31-2014
Thanks, Tom. I had read about this, but thanks for the tips as far as finding it. The skies are way different here than in the Seattle area. At least I'm familiar with Orion, and the Orion Nebula. Maybe I'll be able to find this comet.
Jon in Keaau/HPP
RE: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - TomK - 12-31-2014
I know what you mean, Jon. When I saw the night sky on my first visit to Hawaii it was utterly confusing. I knew it would look different but everything was tipped over sideways and it took a while to re-orientate my brain. Now, when I go back to the UK, it looks strange there as well - that's when you can see stars in the UK.
Surprised you got to see the sky that much in the Seattle area...
RE: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - VancouverIslander - 01-01-2015
The sky is different from the Seattle area, but not too different. Things are in different places and there are new things on the Southern Horizon and a few things missing from the Northern, but when you look at it and think about it, all of a sudden your head orients itself to a 3d perspective of what has happened to the sky and it sort of blows your mind a bit. After a short period of disorientation, I find I adjust to it quite nicely and get a much better appreciation of the fact that we live on the surface of a sphere.
RE: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - pahoated - 01-01-2015
quote:To add, a spinning sphere at a tipped angle. Kind of low key news the other day that quasars are all aligned with each other.
Originally posted by VancouverIslander
we live on the surface of a sphere.
"Mahalo nui Pele, 'ae noho ia moku 'aina" - kakahiaka oli
RE: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - EightFingers - 01-01-2015
With all the bad news, I figured it was supposed to land in Puna...
RE: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - TomK - 01-01-2015
"To add, a spinning sphere at a tipped angle. Kind of low key news the other day that quasars are all aligned with each other."
Well, I guess I could have mentioned that interesting observation about quasar alignment, although I'd have been a little more accurate and pointed out the alignment is with the large scale structure of the universe rather than each other. But quasars are a little difficult to see with the naked eye from Hawaii so thought I'd keep it a little more local.
RE: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - pahoated - 01-02-2015
The comet was found by a guy with a Celestron and digital camera, no observatory needed. It is almost visible to the naked eye about 2 hours after dark, off Orion's left foot right now, climbing higher through the month and becoming more visible, if it clears up around here.
Later in the year, the comet with the Rosetta lander will be coming around the sun. It would be cool if it revives enough to take some data then.
The paper is saying hurricane force winds over 100 mph hitting Mauna Kea this evening and tonight.
"Mahalo nui Pele, 'ae noho ia moku 'aina" - kakahiaka oli
RE: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - Ino - 01-09-2015
After a couple of comets that were less than expected Comets PANSTARRS and ISON. Comet LOVEJOY I believe is exceeding expectations. You can actually see it with the unaided eye but a telescope or even binoculars provides an Awesome sight. It should be at it's brightest the next couple of nights peaking on 1-11-15. You can actually observe it moving while you watch it-simply spectacular!
Go here for good info on where to look from Hilo;
https://in-the-sky.org/cometephem.php?obj=ck14q020
Mahalo for the heads up TomK
Happy New Year to everyone!
RE: New year treat: Comet Lovejoy (C/2014 Q2) - pahoated - 01-09-2015
The Moon is waning so the viewing of the comet will be easier. It is becoming more detectable to the naked eye, photos showing it quite spectacular through binoculars. Whenever it clears up, it will be easy to see with respect to Orion. This is the daily position map for January as seen from Hawaii.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/wp-content/uploads/Lovejoy2-1250px.gif
"Mahalo nui Pele, 'ae noho ia moku 'aina" - kakahiaka oli