New superbright comet on the way?

[Ganymede12]

Can't wait! I have never seen a comet before and thought I'd be waiting until 2061 for the return of Halley (even I would be old and grey by then!)

Is it safe to observe close comets with a telescope?

[Darkstar_1]

Can't wait! I have never seen a comet before and thought I'd be waiting until 2061 for the return of Halley (even I would be old and grey by then!)

Is it safe to observe close comets with a telescope?

Ye perfectly safe.

[tich]

Looking forward to this I remember seeing Hale Bopp in the sky & wishing I had a scope back then.

[SteveNickolls]

Excellent news, I really hope they are both visible from the norhern hemisphere-we are due a bright comet (or two).

Cheers,

Steve

[BuzzBomb]

Has there been any indication of how this one will compare to Hale Bopp in terms of magnitude and size?

Think of the images! We've come a long way since those days.

Sent from my GT-I9001 using Tapatalk 2

[Simms]

OMG... Perhelion of Panstarrs is on March 9th 2013 - I go to Iceland on my photographic holiday (northern lights in totally unpolluted skies) on March 8th... OMFG!!! FINGERS CROSSED!

[leemanley]

had a newsletter about the new russian discovered comet due late next year and how it will have mags of -11 to -16 !

mmmmmm, a daytime comet, yeah right.

[paler31]

sounds very exciting but its getting pretty close to us i hope nothing pushes it into our path. I have heard that 2012 is the end on the world

[Novarius]

Thinking of looking through a Telescope at one, what would you be able to see if anything? Only one I have seen to date is Hale Bopp, think there is a photo around somewhere in the attic, hehe, I remember spending days on my back outside waiting for it to shoot past as that's what I expected it to do, I was young and still at school, then when I saw it, WOW.

[laser_jock99]

If it's big enough & bright enough a telescope will be a waste of time- I hope we are talking wide angle lenses here!

The Great Comet of 1882 reached a staggering magnitude -16, now that would be something!

[FarSide]

I was reading about this yesterday; great opportunity for some wide-field photography.

[fredster]

I was reading about this yesterday; great opportunity for some wide-field photography.

Certainly will be, especially from a nice dark sky spot. Can't wait.

[andrew63]

Thanks for the link. But as others have stated - predicting the brightness of comets is a bit like the weather forecast - only more unreliable!

andrew

[Mr Q]

Can't wait! I have never seen a comet before and thought I'd be waiting until 2061 for the return of Halley (even I would be old and grey by then!)

Is it safe to observe close comets with a telescope?

You won't have to wait that long . Check the link below each month for info on telescopic comets. A new one comes out a couple days into each month. These are NOT predictions based on past orbits but actual observations in the previous month by experienced observers.

http://cometchasing.skyhound.com/

By the way, hows your new scope work?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Sounds great. Still time enough to get a DSLR and adaptors for my Contax lenses for serious wide field shots.

[earth titan]

Also i heard a while back theres a comet thats supposed to pass between earth and the moon ?

That could be a bit too close for comfort.....

[Mr Spock]

No comets will come that close

We will see asteroid 2012 DA 14 come within 13,000 miles on 15th February. Between 7 and 8 in the evening it should make an interesting sight

[Ganymede12]

By the way, hows your new scope work?

Haven't had a chance to use it yet

[Jim-a]

not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but this link has a nice animated gif showing two shots of the comet taken 30 minutes apart which nicely show the movement.

http://remanzacco.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/new-comet-c2012-s1-ison.html?m=1

[Pete Presland]

PANSTARRS is only predicted to reach just below mag 0. This one sounds like it could be incredibly bright - possibly brighter than a full moon. Exciting stuff!

"only" mag 0

[Pete Presland]

comet 2012 s1 (ISON) really does sound like a once in a lifetime comet, needless to say all the "profits of doom" will have a field day

[Shibby]

"only" mag 0

I know, can't believe I said it that way! Only in comparison to the potentially spectacular ISON. Thinking of going camping to a dark stie for the full effect...

[Pete Presland]

I know, can't believe I said it that way! Only in comparison to the potentially spectacular ISON. Thinking of going camping to a dark stie for the full effect...

the thought of ISON makes grin from ear to ear, it could be an amazing sight!

[Dave]

I have put the predicted paths on my blog:

http://www.eagleseye.me.uk/Sky/Wordpress/?p=1887

Dave

[sologuitarist61]

If it is half as good as Hale Bopp, I will be pleased, that was quire magnificent.