I nearly wet myself

Published on January 15, 2007 By Phoenixboi In Blogging

Yeah I nearly wet myself, with excitement!

Yesterday we had the great opportunity to check out the spectacular Comet that is in our skies at the moment. Comet McNaught. I have been reading how folks in the northern hemisphere have had a great show of this comet which wasn't supposed to be so bright. Now they are saying it is the brightest in 40 years, and to boot it is also a daytime comet which if you have the right equipment you can see it in the middle of the day.

So just as the Sun was setting last night myself and a few mates of mine headed up ontop of the escarpment and found ourselves a nice spot where we could see a clear view of the setting Sun. We weren't alone with a few car loads up waiting to see it as well.

We found Venus and then scanning the sky just to the south west of Venus there it was!

I was so excited I had the biggest smile on my face. Not only is this the first time since Halleys Comet that I have been able to see anything like it, but it was also clear and right there in front of me. Everytime something like this comes up it seems to want to rain or be overcast, but not last night. We could see it unaided but with binoculars it was a sight! I didnt think it would be so bright.

If you get a chance, Im not sure if you can still see it in the Northern Hemisphere, but if your in the Southern then this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see something like this in the sky. This Comet wont be coming back for a long time to come, if ever.

I didnt have a camera to take a picture but this is one I found online thanks to spaceweather.com. Link

Taken by Andrew Catsaitis,
Central Coast, NSW, Australia
Jan. 15, 2007
Link

Comments

MasonM

on Jan 15, 2007

As something of an astronomy fan I wish I could have seen it. I envy you.

dynamaso

on Jan 15, 2007

I will try to see if I can see it tonight from my balcony. Thanks for the heads up.

MarcieMoo

on Jan 15, 2007

That is way cool, Phoenix! I'm so glad you got to see it! I live out in the boonies, so sometimes when my husband and I are out traveling we'll stop and enjoy the Wyoming night sky that's untainted by city lights. It's amazing. It's so bright...

So jealous!

Phoenixboi

on Jan 15, 2007

As something of an astronomy fan I wish I could have seen it. I envy you.

Mason you have no idea how thrilled I was to see it!

I will try to see if I can see it tonight from my balcony. Thanks for the heads up.

Maso .. mate you gotta get out and see it tonight.. even in the city lights this one you can still see.

my husband and I are out traveling we'll stop and enjoy the Wyoming night sky that's untainted by city lights. It's amazing. It's so bright..

That would be beautiful in itself Marcie. And yeh it is so bright!

dynamaso

on Jan 16, 2007

Phoenix,

We're we are living now is right on top of a ridge overlooking South Maroubra. We can see the beach one way and Broken Bay the other. The views are phenomenal. I've got a bit of a slide show on my site including a few of the views. The night sky is suprisingly bright where we are so I will definitely be looking out for the comet.

foreverserenity

on Jan 16, 2007

That's cool you were able to see that! Thx for sharing!

Phoenixboi

on Jan 22, 2007

Actually went to see this comet again on Saturday night and it surpassed all expectations! If your in the southern hemisphere and have a clear view of the horizon when the sun goes down you wont miss this, you wont need binoculars or a telescope as this comet is so bright it's tail sweeps across half the sky like a fountain. IT IS AMAZING!!

.. take a breath! hehe.. well it really is!

ParaTed2k

on Dec 25, 2007

Merry Christmas, Phoenixboi!

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