Comets report

Right now there are 3 comets between mag 8 and 9 in the same area of the sky, quite unusual. C/2019 Y1 ATLAS has become the brightest, showing up well last night at mag 8.4, just two degrees from gamma Cas, and right next to the Sailboat cluster, NGC 225.

C/2019 Y4 ATLAS has hit the buffers somewhat but is still visible in Camelopardalis and strange things could yet happen as it gets ever more toasted by the Sun. I would estimate mag 8.8 last night and the pros are seeing several components of varying brightness.

C/2017 T2 PANSTARRS is also in Camelopardalis hanging in there at mag 9. Its not going to get any brighter though. My personal comet tally now stands at 32.

I did also take a look at those doubles you were speaking of next to Venus Aubrey, and the crescent looked spectacular indeed.

Clear skies,
Finbarr.

Congratulations for observing your 32 comets, Finbarr.
I'm way down at 12 comets.
But I don't mind that at all.
Keep chasing your comets!

Clear skies,

Aubrey.

Hi Finbarr,

Very many thanks for the update on these comets, and congrats on observing your 32nd. I'm still waiting to bag my first one!

Maybe it might be one of the ones you've listed. 

Clear skies, 

Darren. 

Fermidox wrote: C/2019 Y1 ATLAS has become the brightest, showing up well last night at mag 8.4

And has now unexpectedly brightened by another magnitude, very easy in binoculars last night. Will remain in Cassiopeia for the next week, moving towards Ursa Minor.

Finbarr.

Hi Finbarr,

Many thanks for providing these updates, they're very helpful.

Clear skies,

Darren.