• Comet ZTF, anyone?

    From August Abolins@2:460/256 to All on Tue Jan 31 20:52:40 2023
    Hi All...

    Comet ZTF, anyone?

    It's supposed to be at its closest to earth tonight. On the weekend it was reported as "This weekend Comet ZTF is dashing across northern skies between north star Polaris and the Big Dipper." From my vantage point it was relatively cloudy every night, so I missed that viewing.

    Ciao!
    /|ug
    https://t.me/aabolins

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  • From Wilfred van Velzen@2:460/256 to August Abolins on Tue Jan 31 21:01:00 2023
    Comet ZTF, anyone?
    It's supposed to be at its closest to earth tonight. On the weekend it was reported as "This weekend Comet ZTF is dashing across northern skies between north star Polaris and the Big Dipper." From my vantage point it was relatively cloudy every night, so I missed that viewing.

    I'm hoping for clear skies tonight (good chance). But there is a lot of light pollution where I live...

    --- tg BBS v0.7.1
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  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to AUGUST ABOLINS on Tue Jan 31 15:17:00 2023
    It's supposed to be at its closest to earth tonight. On the weekend it was re
    rted as "This weekend Comet ZTF is dashing across northern skies between north
    tar Polaris and the Big Dipper." From my vantage point it was relatively clou
    every night, so I missed that viewing.

    It has been cloudy and dreary, with mixed preciptation off and on, for the
    past couple of days now. Not looking good to see it here. :(

    Mike


    * SLMR 2.1a * ADVENTURE: The land between entertainment and panic.
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  • From August Abolins@2:460/256 to Mike Powell on Wed Feb 1 05:20:13 2023
    Hi Mike...

    It's supposed to be at its closest to earth tonight. On the weekend it was re
    rted as "This weekend Comet ZTF is dashing across northern skies between north
    tar Polaris and the Big Dipper." From my vantage point it was relatively clou
    every night, so I missed that viewing.
    It has been cloudy and dreary, with mixed preciptation off and on, for the past couple of days now. Not looking good to see it here. :(
    Mike
    * SLMR 2.1a * ADVENTURE: The land between entertainment and panic.

    There are two factors that will contribute to my not checking the skies. 1? It's -21C at this time. 2? There's a bit of bright moon who's light is washing out the night skies too.

    Ciao!
    /|ug
    https://t.me/aabolins

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  • From Wilfred van Velzen@2:460/256 to August Abolins on Wed Feb 1 10:17:13 2023
    There are two factors that will contribute to my not checking the skies. [1] It's -21C at this time. [2] There's a bit of bright moon who's light is washing out the night skies too.

    I tried, but wasn't able to spot it. The sky seemed clear but the moon, light pollution (street lights), and maybe a bit of a haze made it bad conditions. I wasn't even able to make out the big dipper...

    --- tg BBS v0.7.1
    * Origin: Fido by Telegram BBS from Stas Mishchenkov (2:460/256)
  • From August Abolins@1:153/757.21 to Wilfred van Velzen on Wed Feb 1 08:45:00 2023
    Hello Wilfred!

    ** On Wednesday 01.02.23 - 10:17, you wrote:

    I tried, but wasn't able to spot it. The sky seemed clear
    but the moon, light pollution (street lights), and maybe
    a bit of a haze made it bad conditions. I wasn't even
    able to make out the big dipper...

    The moon was simply too bright. I couldn't make out any of the
    key constellations either to help pinpoint the comet. I was
    curious to know how large the comet+tail must be in relation to
    other things. It's probably pretty small. I did a prelimary
    check from my large north-facing sliding door, leaned outside
    (no portch, so have to hang on the door) ..but it was simply
    too cold to spend more than 15 seconds scanning the sky.


    --
    ../|ug

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  • From Wilfred van Velzen@2:280/464 to August Abolins on Wed Feb 1 15:37:09 2023
    Hi August,

    On 2023-02-01 08:45:00, you wrote to me:

    I tried, but wasn't able to spot it. The sky seemed clear
    but the moon, light pollution (street lights), and maybe
    a bit of a haze made it bad conditions. I wasn't even
    able to make out the big dipper...

    The moon was simply too bright. I couldn't make out any of the
    key constellations either to help pinpoint the comet. I was
    curious to know how large the comet+tail must be in relation to
    other things. It's probably pretty small.

    I think it can be pretty big, like several moons. But I think (judging from pictures I've seen) the tail is pointing more or less away from earth, so it isn't that pronounced currently...

    I did a prelimary check from my large north-facing sliding door,
    leaned outside (no portch, so have to hang on the door) ..but it was simply too cold to spend more than 15 seconds scanning the sky.

    We have mild temperatures. About +7C ...


    Bye, Wilfred.

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    * Origin: FMail development HQ (2:280/464)
  • From August Abolins@1:153/757.21 to Wilfred van Velzen on Wed Feb 1 17:41:00 2023
    Hello Wilfred!

    I tried, but wasn't able to spot it. The sky seemed clear
    but the moon, light pollution (street lights), and maybe
    a bit of a haze made it bad conditions. I wasn't even
    able to make out the big dipper...

    Is there any area within your Netherlands that you can escape
    to to avoid the light pollution at night?


    ..But I think (judging from pictures I've seen) the tail
    is pointing more or less away from earth, so it isn't
    that pronounced currently...

    Yeah.. being at its closest doesn't necessarily mean best
    viewing. Perhaps next week as it travels way from the earth
    the tail will emerge into sight.

    --
    ../|ug

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  • From Wilfred van Velzen@2:280/464 to August Abolins on Thu Feb 2 09:23:58 2023
    Hi August,

    On 2023-02-01 17:41:00, you wrote to me:

    I tried, but wasn't able to spot it. The sky seemed clear
    but the moon, light pollution (street lights), and maybe
    a bit of a haze made it bad conditions. I wasn't even
    able to make out the big dipper...

    Is there any area within your Netherlands that you can escape
    to to avoid the light pollution at night?

    Sure, but you need to travel a bit. There is for instance a biggish nature reserve a bit east to the middle of the country. I've camped there like 35 years ago (ish), and enjoyed the wonderfull clear sky's at night.

    ..But I think (judging from pictures I've seen) the tail
    is pointing more or less away from earth, so it isn't
    that pronounced currently...

    Yeah.. being at its closest doesn't necessarily mean best
    viewing. Perhaps next week as it travels way from the earth
    the tail will emerge into sight.

    We'll see, and hope for clear nights!


    Bye, Wilfred.

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