Let's "commemorate" Comet McNaught ...

Post by **Airconvent** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:49 pm

arrggg!!! Just 3 weeks ago, I was asking myself when I will have a chance to see a ikuye-chang or halebopp and now that it is here, its clouds clouds clouds!

boothee · Post by **boothee** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:56 pm

We observed the comet today as a second day. This time we used bigger binoculars and telescopes. We got better view compare to yesterday as there is no clouds at all on western sky. I'll upload the pics tomorrw evening.
How is the sky in Singapore? Getting better?

boothee

Post by **Airconvent** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:57 pm

boothee wrote:As a second day, we observed. This time we used bigger binoculars and telescopes. We got better view compare to yesterday as there is no clouds at all on western sky. I'll upload the pics tomorrw evening.
How is the sky in Singapore? Getting better?

boothee

nothing but both high altitude and low altitude clouds...
ironical since the TV is showing "Day After Tomorrow"...

alvinsclee · Post by **alvinsclee** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 2:14 pm

Airconvent wrote:nothing but both high altitude and low altitude clouds... ironical since the TV is showing "Day After Tomorrow"...

Was waiting to test my 500mm mirror lens after a mount mod... looks like I can only test the lens on birds instead of comets

starfinder · Post by **starfinder** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:15 pm

I went down to Vivocity mall this afternoon to see if it is a suitable location to view Comet McNaught.

Attached is a photo taken from the VivoCity promenade right by Keppel Harbour.

As can be seen, it is quite good. Obstruction in the vicinity of the Sun (WSW) is only about 3 to 5 degrees above the horizon.

As Vivocity is right above Harbourfront MRT, it is a good place to try to spot the comet this week, before it fades.

Unfortunately, clouds blocked the view of the WSW completely between 6.45 to 7.15pm. Some other areas of the sky had clear patches, e.g. almost down to the horizon in the NE. By 8pm after dinner, I could see several bright stars such as Aldebaran, Rigel, Betelguese, Sirius, Canopus, etc, shining very clearly.

So, there is still some grounds for hoping to spot the comet as a daylight object before it fades.

starfinder · Post by **starfinder** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:25 pm

Oh, can I add two things to my post above.

First, the 3rd floor rooftop of Vivocity, which is a strolling area, gives a slightly better view, since the obstruction of the horizon by Sentosa's hills becomes slightly less.

Second, the Sentosa Express monorail to Sentosa began running today. It runs from VivoCity (3rd level) right to Beach Station on Sentosa, which is near the area between Siloso and Palawan beaches - these face the Southwest. They told me it's $3 return, inclusive of the entrance fee to Sentosa, and runs every 3 to 8 minutes. Many places along the two beaches should give an unobstructed view almost (due to Batam) down to the horizon, though Beach Station has quite some constructions works still surrounding it. There are also some off-shore artificial islets about 50m from the beach fronts which would block the view at places.

Anyone in S'pore who spots the Comet, please post here!!!

Clifford60 · Post by **Clifford60** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:49 pm

What is the time for sunset tomorrow? How much time do one have to watch the comet. This is what I view from my house window at 7.45pm to 7.55pm tonight. Venus near the top and Jurong island at the bottom. Did I miss the comet?

Btw 7.00pm to 7.15pm was very cloudy for the same view.

boothee · Post by **boothee** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:53 pm

Hi all,

Today we tried again as a third day. Comet was too closed to sun already. Can't see when the sun is above the horizon and we got only a few mins to observe after sun totally disappear.

Cheers!!!

boothee

starfinder · Post by **starfinder** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:54 pm

And here is a bird's eye view of the whole area: Labrador Park, VivoCity, and Sentosa.

As can be seen, the satellite photo must be at least 2 years old since VivoCity is just flattened ground in the photo.

All this had better add up to one nice comet!!

starfinder · Post by **starfinder** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:13 am

Clifford60 wrote:What is the time for sunset tomorrow? How much time do one have to watch the comet.

According to the data taken from my planetarium software, for Singapore:

Tues 16 Jan. Sunset: 7.15pm. The Comet would be 9.9 degrees away from the Sun in the 10.30 o'clock direction, i.e above left of the Sun.

Wed 17 Jan. Sunset: 7.16pm. Comet distance from Sun (angular separation): 12.7 degrees, 10 o'clock.

Thurs 18 Jan. Sunset: 7.16pm. Comet distance from Sun: 15.3 degrees, 10 o'clock.

Fri 19 Jan (new moon). Sunset: 7.16pm. Comet distance from Sun: 17.8 degrees, 9.30 o'clock.

Sat 20 Jan. Sunset: 7.17pm. Comet distance from Sun: 20.0 degrees, 9.30 o'clock.

Sun 21 Jan. Sunset: 7.17pm. Comet distance from Sun: 22.0 degrees, 9.30 o'clock.

If someone has a planetarium software which can illustrate this graphically for Singapore, that would be neat!

PS: Can I add again once more: Please exercise EXTREME CAUTION when viewing the vicinity of the Sun, especially with any optical aid. If the Sun is viewed through a telescope or binoculars without a special filter, the Sun's rays can burn the retina in an instant. This is no laughing matter. This caution is necesary since the Comet is now close to the Sun from our viewpoint.

I should think it would only be safe to hand-hold a binoculars to try to view the Comet only once the setting Sun has dropped below a distant hill or building, or has set. The foregoing only applies to the time of Sunset.

SingAstro

Let's "commemorate" Comet McNaught ...

Observing Comet McNaught this weekend?

Re: Observing Comet McNaught this weekend?