Here you will find images, photos and finder charts of
past, present and future comets visible from the southern hemisphere, plus
other observations of interest.
Members of the general public should read these
astronomical and comet
definitions
, essential
observing tips ,
and how to do simple comet
photography.
An observing planner for comets visible in 2008 and beyond can be downloaded here
C/2007 W1 Boattini
2008 May 9.48UT.
Left: 3 minute exposure, Canon 300D digital camera. 150mm zoom
lens, cropped.
Right: 10x15 sec, C11 SCT at f/3 + MX7c ccd.
2008 April 6.50UT.
Left: 3 minute exposure, Canon 300D digital camera. 200mm zoom
lens, cropped.
Comet is 1 degree north of the antennae galaxies (NGC 4038)
Right: 10x10 sec, C11 SCT at f/3 + MX7c ccd.
This comet has the potential for becoming a relatively bright object during
its close approach to the Earth on June 12, where it will be a mere 0.21AU
distant. This apparition is highly favourable since it is closest to the Sun
just two weeks later on June 24, 2008 at a distance of 0.85AU. C/2007 W1
Boattini is yet another comet favouring observers in the southern hemisphere.
A peak brightness of magnitude 3.5 to 4 is predicted in mid June.
C/2007 W1 finder charts
Apr08 in Crater
May08 in Hydra and Pyxis
early Jun08 in Puppis, Canis Major and Lepus
late Jun08 in Eridanus (morning sky)
C/2008 C1 Chen-Gao
A new amateur comet discovery from the northern hemisphere
should become observable from southern latitudes during April. Comet Chen-Gao
is closest to the Sun on April 16 at a distance of 1.26 AU and should appear
as bright as magnitude 10, passing through the constellations of Taurus and
Orion. It fades during May but is better positioned in Monoceros.
C/2008 C1 finder charts Apr-Jun08
C/2008 A1 McNaught
2008 April 6.45UT
20x10 sec, C11 SCT at f/3 + MX7c ccd. FOV 15'
The comet is closest to the Sun on Sep 29, 2008 at 1.07AU.
It is expected to achieve a peak brightness of magnitude 7 during September 08
for observers in the southern hemisphere.
8P/Tuttle
2008 March 1.45 UT. 20x10 sec, C11 SCT at f/3 + MX7c ccd. FOV 15'
At its most favourable of appearances since discovery in 1790, comet 8P Tuttle
attained a maximum brightness of 5.5 during its close encounter with the Earth
on 1 January 2008 at a distance of 0.25AU. It is now fading but more slowly
than expected.
8P finder chart Apr-May08 in Doradus, Pictor and Carina
17P Holmes
17P Holmes on Jan 4.48UT
2x3 min exposures. Canon 300D digital camera. 200mm zoom lens, cropped.
My observation with the unaided eye on January 4 indicated a magnitude of
about 3.5 and coma
size of 1 x 1.3 degrees!
On October 24, 2007, this usually faint, distant comet 17P Holmes underwent a major
outburst and rapidly rose to magnitude 2. Since then, the comet
has maintained a steady brightness with the coma slowly expanding and
becoming more diffuse. The comet was still as bright as magnitude 4 during
March but appeared large and very diffuse. It is no longer observable from the
southern hemisphere.
C/2007 T1 McNaught
2008 March 1.45 UT. 20x10 sec, C11 SCT at f/3 + MX7c ccd. FOV 15'
The comet was closest to the Sun on Dec 12 at a distance of 0.96
AU and brightened to magnitude 8 during December-January.
C/2006 Q1 McNaught
2008 April 6.45 UT. 20x10 sec, C11 SCT at f/3 + MX7c ccd.
Note 4 small galaxies in the field. C/2006 Q1 is a distant comet that should peak at magnitude 11 during April-May 08.
C/2006 Q1 finder chart Apr-May08 in Antlia and Hydra
C/2006 P1 McNaught
The brightest comet to be seen in 42 years, approached to within 0.17
AU of the Sun on Jan 12, 2007, where it achieved a maximum brightness of
magnitude -5.5, exceeding Venus in brilliance and observable during the
daytime hours. See my photographic record of this spectacular event
here
Current Brightness of Present/Future comets observable from the Southern
Hemisphere on May 8, 2008.
Please note that I usually update this list after full moon. Viewing comets during moonlight is not recommended unless the comet is bright.
| C/2007 W1 Boattini | 6th magnitude and brightening. Evening sky. |
| 8P Tuttle | 10th magnitude and fading: Southwestern evening sky. |
| C/2008 C1 Chen-Gao | 11th magnitude and fading: Northwestern evening sky, low altitude |
| C/2006 Q1 McNaught | 11th magnitude and steady: Observable all night. |
| C/2008 A1 McNaught | 12th magnitude and brightening. Southwestern evening sky. |
| C/2008 J2 Beshore | 13th magnitude and brightening: Eastern evening sky. |
| 46P Wirtanen | 13th magnitude and fading: Northwestern evening sky, low altitude |
| C/2006 S5 Hill | 13th magnitude and steady. Northern evening sky. |
If interested in charts for any comets visible from your location, please e-mail me.
Send comments to Michael Mattiazzo : mmatti
[at] yp-connect.net
This page was last updated on
09-May-2008.
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June 20th 2003.