Comet Linear SPOTTED at mere 8.3 magnitude!

[Sam Lee]

The observation earlier on 30/12 (Tuesday) had been fruitful. We were in the SP Stadium, together with fellow RP Astronomers and some members, managed to spot Comet Linear C/2002 T7 lurking dangerously close to M33.

In the earlier part of the night, at around 8-9, the atmosphere had been very unstable. Low level cloud arrive fast but fortunately, they disappear fast enough for us to familiarise ourself with the sky before starting the hunt. After 9pm, the sky start to devoid itself of clouds and Remus(the walking sky atlas) starts to hone in on the comet. With the help of Starry Night Pro, we managed to locate and confirm the exact spot of the comet. The comet looks like a star with fuzzy surroundings like nebulosity. At first look I thought it was just a star, but after looking through the map on the laptop, it seems well enough we have just spotted the 8th magnitude comet.

Seems like we are the first few to peek at this approaching comet! Will keep a close eye on this one!

By the way, we have already decided to have a overnight session in East Coast Park on 31/12 (Wed). The exact location is ECP Carpark G. We will be meeting at around 6.00pm there. Alternately, anyone interested but doesn't know how to go can meet us in SP at 4.00pm as we are lugging some equipments over. You can contact me through 91837064. Feel free to join!

[Airconvent]

The observation earlier on 30/12 (Tuesday) had been fruitful. We were in the SP Stadium, together with fellow RP Astronomers and some members, managed to spot Comet Linear C/2002 T7 lurking dangerously close to M33.

In the earlier part of the night, at around 8-9, the atmosphere had been very unstable. Low level cloud arrive fast but fortunately, they disappear fast enough for us to familiarise ourself with the sky before starting the hunt. After 9pm, the sky start to devoid itself of clouds and Remus(the walking sky atlas) starts to hone in on the comet. With the help of Starry Night Pro, we managed to locate and confirm the exact spot of the comet. The comet looks like a star with fuzzy surroundings like nebulosity. At first look I thought it was just a star, but after looking through the map on the laptop, it seems well enough we have just spotted the 8th magnitude comet.

Seems like we are the first few to peek at this approaching comet! Will keep a close eye on this one!

By the way, we have already decided to have a overnight session in East Coast Park on 31/12 (Wed). The exact location is ECP Carpark G. We will be meeting at around 6.00pm there. Alternately, anyone interested but doesn't know how to go can meet us in SP at 4.00pm as we are lugging some equipments over. You can contact me through 91837064. Feel free to join!

wah sam..seems like you have all the fun! hope to be able to see the comet when we next observe, hopefully tomorrow night. Is this going to be the comet's brightest? At M33, this would suggest that the comet will set fairly early in the night? Did Remus/Michael take any astrophotos of it?
BTW, why are you doing your next session at ECP? its windy, bright in most places and the salty air will not be very gentle on the optics....

[Sam Lee]

Richard, the best is yet to come! As i am typing this words, the comet is constantly approaching us. We should have a full view of the comet on May 2004 as it will be a staggering 0.4 magnitude! Also around that period of time, the Comet Neat C/2001 Q4 will also be very impressive at magnitude of around 1. The reason why we are trying so hard to hunt down Comet Linear is because it will be setting soon and will not be expected until May, where it rises at full-blown magnitude! Until then will Remus try his stuff on it.

The members are already very excited about the clear skies these few days. We could not get the permission timely enough so we thought of going to ECP. Its not that bad down at ECP Carpark G. Not much light pollution as it is far away from the populated areas. Will you be joining?

Regards,
Sam

Gimme a Comet Burger. Wait, Make that 2.