Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon)

Notrump · 30th January 2013, 11:11 AM

Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) will soon be reaching naked-eye visibility. However it is currently passing high over Antarctica and visible only to southern hemisphere observers. It will be nearest to Earth on 2013 FEB 05 and nearest to the Sun on MAR 24. Its estimated peak brilliance of +4.2 should occur on MAR 20 while it is too near to the Sun to be seen by naked eyes.

Perhaps the woos will deem this the comet of doom that can only be seen by conspiratorial astronomers at the South Pole.

After the comet passes perihelion, it should become visible to naked eyes in the northern hemisphere. I’ve created six related graphics with data that can be seen at: www.CurtRenz.com/comets

Photos and descriptions of the comet would be welcome additions to this thread.

DC · 30th January 2013, 11:20 AM

its planet X!!! didn't NASA admit that?

Soapy Sam · 30th January 2013, 11:51 AM

I'm on it!
(Points camera at floor).

Gord_in_Toronto · 30th January 2013, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Soapy Sam

I'm on it!
(Points camera at floor).

Don't forget to make certain that the camera is out of focus first.

rjh01 · 30th January 2013, 11:31 PM

What I would like to know is for a given date where in the world would I be able to see the comet and how bright would it be and where in the sky will it be? Then if necessary I can have a holiday in a place where I can see it.

Soapy Sam · 31st January 2013, 02:39 AM

Well, there is likely to be a better one along late in the year.
Curt described it in an earlier thread.
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=244625

As for this one- bear in mind that it's not a (hugely) bright object. Naked eye visible, (just), but you would want decent binoculars, I'd think.
Curt's equatorial chart gives you a fair idea. Combine that with any free astronomical software like Starcalc or Stellarium and you can work out where to go.
http://www.curtrenz.com/comets12.html
http://starcalc.en.softonic.com/
http://www.stellarium.org/wiki/index.php/Download

Incidentally - re the joke about photographing a S. hemisphere object from up north, here's a link to one of the most incredible pictures ever- The sun, photographed through the Earth by neutrino "light".

http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/c...utrino_sun.gif

macdoc · 8th February 2013, 05:10 AM

Quote:

What I would like to know is for a given date where in the world would I be able to see the comet and how bright would it be and where in the sky will it be? Then if necessary I can have a holiday in a place where I can see it.

It will be very difficult to do that as there is no knowing how bright a comet will be.
Comet McNaught was no expected to be a once in a lifetime show- but it was.

This is what we saw when we walked out on the beach in Hermanus South Africa.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...at_Paranal.jpg

Because there is no knowing how much gas will come off a comet it cannot be predicted long in advance - WHERE to see it can be.

30th January 2013, 11:11 AM	#1
Notrump Muse Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 539	Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) will soon be reaching naked-eye visibility. However it is currently passing high over Antarctica and visible only to southern hemisphere observers. It will be nearest to Earth on 2013 FEB 05 and nearest to the Sun on MAR 24. Its estimated peak brilliance of +4.2 should occur on MAR 20 while it is too near to the Sun to be seen by naked eyes. Perhaps the woos will deem this the comet of doom that can only be seen by conspiratorial astronomers at the South Pole. After the comet passes perihelion, it should become visible to naked eyes in the northern hemisphere. I’ve created six related graphics with data that can be seen at: www.CurtRenz.com/comets Photos and descriptions of the comet would be welcome additions to this thread.
	__________________ http://www.CurtRenz.com

30th January 2013, 11:20 AM	#2
DC dedicated aphilatelist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Switzerland Posts: 21,654	its planet X!!! didn't NASA admit that?
	__________________ AGW is a fact, including the A, face it

30th January 2013, 11:51 AM	#3
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	I'm on it! (Points camera at floor).
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

30th January 2013, 02:46 PM	#4
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13,417	Originally Posted by Soapy Sam I'm on it! (Points camera at floor). Don't forget to make certain that the camera is out of focus first.
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

30th January 2013, 11:31 PM	#5
rjh01 Gentleman of leisure Tagger Join Date: May 2005 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 17,187	What I would like to know is for a given date where in the world would I be able to see the comet and how bright would it be and where in the sky will it be? Then if necessary I can have a holiday in a place where I can see it.
	__________________ dddffffpppqqqq Want to use your computer for something that will make society better? See this thread for details Folding@home

31st January 2013, 02:39 AM	#6
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	Well, there is likely to be a better one along late in the year. Curt described it in an earlier thread. http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=244625 As for this one- bear in mind that it's not a (hugely) bright object. Naked eye visible, (just), but you would want decent binoculars, I'd think. Curt's equatorial chart gives you a fair idea. Combine that with any free astronomical software like Starcalc or Stellarium and you can work out where to go. http://www.curtrenz.com/comets12.html http://starcalc.en.softonic.com/ http://www.stellarium.org/wiki/index.php/Download Incidentally - re the joke about photographing a S. hemisphere object from up north, here's a link to one of the most incredible pictures ever- The sun, photographed through the Earth by neutrino "light". http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/c...utrino_sun.gif
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	Last edited by Soapy Sam; 31st January 2013 at 02:59 AM.

8th February 2013, 05:10 AM	#7
macdoc Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Planet earth on slow boil Posts: 4,602	Quote: What I would like to know is for a given date where in the world would I be able to see the comet and how bright would it be and where in the sky will it be? Then if necessary I can have a holiday in a place where I can see it. It will be very difficult to do that as there is no knowing how bright a comet will be. Comet McNaught was no expected to be a once in a lifetime show- but it was. This is what we saw when we walked out on the beach in Hermanus South Africa. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...at_Paranal.jpg Because there is no knowing how much gas will come off a comet it cannot be predicted long in advance - WHERE to see it can be.
	__________________ Mainstream climate science sources others have found useful. http://www.macmagic.ca/ubbthreads.ph...5753#Post45753 Nature Reports Climate Change Copenhagen Climate Change Synthesis Report 2009