Get Ready for Comet Tuttle!

[WCGucfa]

Historical Comet Tuttle is circumpolar and will be visible as soon as December. Those with larger scopes may be able to see it sooner. It will eventually reach about 6th magnitude according to the January issue of S&T. First we had LONEOS, then Holmes and now Tuttle!
Is life GOOD or what?
S&T also has some good finder charts.

Bill

[Galactus]

Yeah, I got my January S&T yesterday and saw the article on Comet Tuttle. Apparently it will not be very bright until late December. I will bet we can view it and Holmes at the December 15th UMD Event.

[Paul D]

George Wrote:

Yeah, I got my January S&T yesterday and saw the article on Comet Tuttle. Apparently it will not be very bright until late December. I will bet we can view it and Holmes at the December 15th UMD Event.

George, maybe you might be able to see both. Comets are one of my favorite targets for one reason, they are all different. I have hunted for some comets that were lets say mag 6 and no two were alike. I think it was 4p faye that Bob M and myself looked for at club on an RS night last year. It was mag 7 but because of its small size was a very difficult mag 7 to see and find. So it really depends on how much dust this thing throws off. At UMD with the lights Tuttle may just look like another star if its tail is washed out by light pollution. On one comet I had to do a starchart comparison to pick it out of the FOV.

[WCGucfa]

Paul,

I couldn't agree with you more. Maybe its the mystery of them; the unpredictable nature. Nevertheless, comets are the best!
I personally like the challenge of tracking a comet down. The darn things KEEP ON MOVING!!

Bill

[Galactus]

They are pretty darned cool. I think it is because they are so rare and mysterious that makes people want to see that "once in a lifetime" event.

[WCGucfa]

Paul,

I know what you mean, checking star charts to find comets you can't see visually. I don't know how many times I've had to photograph a star field in order to find a comet. Actually I had to do this to find the fast moving VV2 asteroid last year. I love the hunt! GO-TO's nice, but ah, the HUNT!

Bill

[Paul D]

Bill,

Comets have far become my favorite targets. I have set alarms to wake me at all hours of the night to view comets at there best times. Each month I scan the net searching for those comets that might be well placed and mag to be observed by me. Surprisingly I have pretty much had a comet once a month to chase after. I have not been successful every time but I think thats the fun of it. If I nailed each comet I think I would get bored with the hunt. I love pushing the dob around and finding these moving targets.

[Joe B]

Has anyone started looking for Tuttle yet? I went out late last night and had a clear view to the North and was thinking about taking a look for it. The conditions were not the greatest so i stayed in. I was also wondering if i would be able to spot it in the 25x100 binos or if it would need the Dob? I think the comet is around Mag 10 or so and have found it on one of my chart programs.Not knowing any better at the time this program also led me on a wild goose chase whil looking for the Horsehead a few weeks ago..I guess any EP time is better than none

[Paul D]

Joe,

Wait till it reaches about mag 8 before you start looking for it. A mag 10 comet is easily visible in your scope but it may only appear as a faint fuzzy star at this point. You will need a very accurate star chart to find it now because basically what you will be doing is looking in the EP and then the chart and crossing out stars till your left with one that doesnt belong. The other way would be to observe the field two nights in a row and the star that has moved is your comet.

[Joe B]

Thanks Paul, Looks like ill be printing out some charts to bring with me. Ill adjust the limiting mag and fire off a few coppies.

[Pete]

I stepped outside around 10:30 as I was heading for bed, and the sky had cleared. So I threw on some sweats and climbed into my pac boots and new -30° coverall and went out to look for comets.

Holmes is a huge not so bright cotton ball. I worked 'till 03:00 trying to catch Tuttle and couldn't. First it was behind a tree, but eventually I viewed with the 14" and with the CCD. Couldn't see it. Guide 8 suggests that its still 12.9 mag and quite large. If this is the case it's just too diffuse to view.

Observing report to follow if my Mars images come out ok.

[Galactus]

If I recall properly, I believe S & T said that Tuttle would not get brighter than mag. 9. The also said it would only be visible in 8" telescopes or larger. Usually, this means 10" or larger as they refer to perfect conditions. Last night looked gorgeous, but the transparency wasn't great. A lot of high haze.

[Paul D]

George,

Based on past appearances of 8P Tuttle its safe to say it will probably reach mag 6.5. Comets can be somewhat predictable in that manner though not always the rule. Looking at Guide 8 its mag is currently 10.6 and its only suppose to brighten through December. With all this knowledge at hand I think its pretty safe to say it will reach mag 6 -6.5 by mid December

[Mark G]

Joe,

Wait till it reaches about mag 8 before you start looking for it.

Joe,

What Paul meant to say is

"wait till I find it first".

If it's as big and dim as reported it will take your 12" Dob, some nice dark skies, good print out charts, and an accurate up to date plot of the comets location.



good seeing conditions, like the cold, crisp, dry nights we will have soon. Too bad the Moon is big & bright now. That will not help in keeping the contrast high. Plus your newly flocked tube will also help.

http://www.cometchasing.skyhound.com/index.html I find this a nice comet site.

Happy hunting!

[Galactus]

Then, if We listen to Paul's advice--and we should, he's very often right abut these kinds of things--then we very well may be able to view both Holmes & Tuttle at the next UMD event. Cool. Now to pray for good weather and attendance.

[Joe B]

Mark, thanks for the link..I hope to put it to good use..The flocking is going to have to wait a few more weeks. Sister Rose's thanksgiving donation came from the dob fund this year.

[Mark G]

Mark, thanks for the link..I hope to put it to good use..The flocking is going to have to wait a few more weeks. Sister Rose's thanksgiving donation came from the dob fund this year.

Ah a worthy cause.

[Dan Chieppa]

Guys,
This looks like a good reason to break out the 10-inch Meade. That's a big enough light bucket for viewing an object like Comet Tuttle. It doesn't have GOTO so it will be a hunt!
Clear skies,
Dan

[Galactus]

This is the time of year for huntin', Dan! Go bag yourself a Tuttle!

[james and james mceachern]

i had that same chart mark 2 days ago and the write up on tuttle says it was at 9+ mag and getting brighter as of a week ago thought i saw a small fuzz ball but wasn't sure as the stars had a bit of twinkle and then i was second guessing myself and lost it so i got frustrated and quit. need james here because observing for me is like the lottery its 1: 1ooooooooo that ill get what im looking for! see ya at umd couple weeks maybe make holiday feast but jas and i will be at umd as he gets home the night before and we are gonna observe till our eyes fall out for a couple days min. jim

[james and james mceachern]

http://www.nightskyhunter.com/Comets%20 ... ight!.html

[Dan Chieppa]

George,
I have a horrible north sky so I won't be finding Tuttle anytime soon from my yard. I'm about to head outside and set up the 80mm and my Canon 20D. I want to image Holmes one more time.
Clear skies,
Dan

[james and james mceachern]

on calsky it shows tuttle very low in the north i think i may be behind the tree line for this, darn, heres link http://www.calsky.com/cs.cgi macs walpole observatory a.k.a. my back yard

[Galactus]

My North is difficult too, Dan. I will be looking for Tuttle from my front yard.

[Mark G]

Well I'm thinking I need to get out and bag me a Tuttle. Good thing my side yard has a good view of the North. But East Beach in Westport, MA would be even darker. My yard actually has some decent seeing to the north now that Dartmouth has turned off the street lights. My east, & south east is darker too.

Anyway I've not observed much since my mom's passing... I need to get out more now the skies are darker and the seeing is SO much crisper. So if your wondering why you've not been getting emailed invites from me that is why. I've not been observing. Just naked eye views of Holmes at best.