Comet 12P Pons-Brooks in outburst

[pjsmith_6198]

Comet 12P  Pons-Brooks  had a 5 magnitude outburst going from mag 16.5 to mag 11.4  on July 20.   Sky and Telescope has a good article about this https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/see-comet-12p-pons-brooks-in-outburst/ .   Currently https://theskylive.com/comets lists the magnitude as 11.7,  and coma diameter  as  1.1' .    I was able to view it on 7/22 using my 12 inch dob.    The sky and telescope article described the comet as looking almost stellar with  low magnification.   It was also estimated at mag 11.7 when I observed it  but  theSkyLive estimated the coma at .8' and it looked  like a small but fairly bright planetary nebula.   It was much easier to see than comet 2023 E1 ATLAS.   E1 ATLAS  coma and much more diffuse.   It should remain viewable for a short while before the outburst fades.   However, it may be as bright as 4.5 in  March or April 2024.   

Here is more information about its position and brightness here:  http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/0012P/2024.html

Phil