
New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
- Neill
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New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes was created by Neill
Received the below report from BAA. Comet 17/P Holmes has undergone a superoutburst, it was predicted to be mag +17 but is now naked eye at +3.8. Report is below, also see links inc finder chart.
www.aerith.net/comet/weekly/current.html
www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/0017P/2007.html
BAA electronic bulletin No. 00313 www.britastro.org/======================...====================
In the past 24 hours, a spectacular event has taken place involving the periodic comet P/Holmes (17P). Its predicted brightness is about magnitude 17 however last night it was discovered by the Spanish amateur, Juan Antonio HenrÃquez Santana to have undergone a tremendous outburst having attained magnitude 10 at that time (Oct 24 0h UT). It was a similar outburst in 1892 that led to its discovery. Latest reports (Seiichi Yoshida, Oct 24 13h UT) indicate that it is stellar in appearance and 3RD MAGNITUDE in brightness: so bright in fact that it is readily visible to the unaided eye. That's almost one million times brighter than normal ! Fortunately for UK-based observers the comet is well placed for observation and is visible throughout the entire night. Its position at 0h UT tonight (Oct 24/25) will be: R.A. 03h 53.0m, Dec. +50 08' Its appearance will probably be that of a fairly bright naked-eye star moving at an apparent rate of close to 10 arcmin per day at PA 298 deg. It is currently 1.63 AU (245 million km) from the Earth. Observations are strongly encouraged and should be reported to Jonathan Shanklin, Director of the Comet Section.
Clear Skies
Richard Miles
Neill
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- Seanie_Morris
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Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
Seanie.
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- albertw
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Replied by albertw on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
That is amazing, from mag 17 to 3.8!
It just went past the interplanetary 'Please Turn your Headlights on' sign.
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- Keith g
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Keith..
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- Seanie_Morris
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Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
That is amazing, from mag 17 to 3.8!
It just went past the interplanetary 'Please Turn your Headlights on' sign.
Does "Links Fahren/Drive on Left" work to keep it visible around our latitude?

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- TrevorDurity
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Replied by TrevorDurity on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
Thanks for the heads up Neill!
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- johnflannery
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Replied by johnflannery on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes

Gary Kronk's "Cometography" page has some historic information about the comet -- cometography.com/pcomets/017p.html
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- Frank Ryan
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Replied by Frank Ryan on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
Must take a look at that tonight.
Its sort of clear here tonight.
Anyone got a visual x marks the spot for tonight?
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- Frank Ryan
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Replied by Frank Ryan on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
It very near the brightest star in Perseus....
Mirphak?
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- TrevorDurity
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Replied by TrevorDurity on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
There's a closeup map on this site
www.shopplaza.nl/astro/ -just click "comets-charts"
Cheers,
Trev
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- paulevans
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- albertw
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Replied by albertw on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
Just spotted it! Looks like an extra "star" in Perseus. Very easy to see with the naked eye, even with the moonlight. Looked like a dense globular cluster with the 16".
See thats why I'm back in looking at maps! I cant see a comet just a star that shouldn't be there. Good to hear I'm actually looking at the right thing!
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Replied by albertw on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
It very near the brightest star in Perseus....
Mirphak?
Bout quarter of the way from Mirphak to Capella. Its the star that shouldn't be there.
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- Seanie_Morris
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- Keith g
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This can easily be mistaken for a nova, and is easily visible with the naked eye ! Here is a quick shot that I took.....this will grab many headlines over the next few days...
Keith....
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- paulevans
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- Seanie_Morris
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Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
It has gotten to the stage here tonight that I am surrounded by 4 outside 'nightlights' from the neighbours, and ESB light to one side, and a new one at the front of my house they put up today. Plus the Moon. Added to that, one of my neighbours smells like they're having fire trouble - my fog here has turned to smog. Light rays everywhere, and not-too-dense high altitude cloud...
...think I'll give up now, as this fog is only going to get worse here!

Seanie.
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- albertw
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Replied by albertw on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
Nice shot Keith - I agree - it's brighter than Delta Persei so 2.5 seems about right!
I thought it was about the same to be honest, though the colour difference could by swaying my opinion.
I know outgassing can cause a brightening, but by this amount?
The comet is roughly twice as far out as Mars at the moment which gives an indication of of how bright it must be. It would be interesting to compare the size and brightness with Mars later on tonight.
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- DaveGrennan
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Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
Dave.
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Equipment List here
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- JohnONeill
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Replied by JohnONeill on topic Re: New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes
Amazing sight! made it mag 3.0 at 18.55 UT 24th Oct 2007 (however thin cloud present). Visible to naked-eye.
In 25cm refl using 9mm eyepiece showed extremely bright central disc with bright outer disc and fainter extended area.
I would be grateful to receive any observations (recorded for posterity in Orbit)
Director of Observations
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John
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