Lovejoy this morning

[kerrylewis]

Good view of Lovejoy this morning despite the moon. Found it in the bins easily so quickly set up the 100mm on the Portamount. Best view was with the 10mm eyepiece and a LP filter. Head with a bright core and a long wispy tail just visible.

Earlier with the 25mm eyepiece two satellites went through the FOV just seconds apart.

Timed it just right as thin cloud quickly swept in about 6.00 but glad I managed to get out of bed.

Good view last night too of the crescent Venus . Very nice through the 100mm with a polarising filter to reduce the glare.

Sometimes a quick 'grab and go' set up reaps rewards

[Pete Presland]

Venus was stunning last night like a beacon on the horzon, the crescent clearly visible even at low power.

[alan potts]

Mornings at the moment all seem to be foggy. We have had 6 on the bounce now.  Venus is indeed stunning and I have viewed it every night this last week, I can see the creasent in my finder at only X9.

I do hope I get a chance to see Lovejoy, if not I will just have to be happy with the TV Series.

Alan.

[Andrew*]

I spotted Lovejoy last night in 45mm binoculars. Large, bright with a distinct stream of tail streaming up towards the keystone. Probably the best comet I've seen since Hale-Bopp. Holmes was of course exciting, but not as impressive visually.

of course I've also been keeping tabs on Venus recently, and last night I could make out its crescent in the binos.

[cotterless45]

Lovejoy was lovely this morning, just before 6 and the clouds rolled in. A real treat just to grab a pair of x15 bins ans see the long tail . Very easily found beside high Sarin. Been watching this in the rare clear mornings through the 200 Dob,

Nick.

[kerrylewis]

Yes Nick and Andrew - a real 'comety' comet and it's great to track it each morning (weather permitting). I understand that it's going to be visible for a while yet (into January) but predicted to get a bit dimmer as it it continues down below Hercules.  

Tomorrow night (Christmas Eve) is predicted to be clear here. Could be a Santa dodging session I think.

[cotterless45]

Page 48 of "Astronomy Now" magazine for January gives Comet 2012 X1 ( Linear) mag . 12.3 on a convergent course for February,

Nick.

[kerrylewis]

Nick - yes I've seen that article. 8th February could be interesting!

Cheers

Kerry