Latest Facts posted on the 18th January 2012
On this page we will present article, facts and figures about astronomical objects and briefly talk a bit about them. We may detail a particular planet, star cluster, or anything to do with space. It will updated regularly so keep coming back to see the latest.
The image on the left is a the view of the comet rising, pretty much as it appeared to the eye! The right image is a wider angle to include the Southern Cross.
Comet Lovejoy survived its close passage by the sun in mid December, and by late December was visible in the morning sky from about 3:30 am. It had a very prominent tail as of Christmas Eve. The photos above and below shows the comet on the 25th of December, near the southern cross.
The third image in this sequence shows the comet as twilight has commenced.
Further images were taken on the 30th of December. The comet was now much fainter, however the tail appeared longer. The tail was an impressive sight near the Milky Way and the Southern Cross.
The comet has now faded from view, however the summer sky still has many delights for both those with a telescope, but also for those who can escape the city lights and view the sky with their own eyes.
In one last attempt to get an image of the extremely faint comet, an image was taken and processed to JUST show the comet near the much brighter Large Magellanic Galaxy in the southern sky. Just to the upper right of the galaxy, the comet can be faintly seen with a tail extending towards the bright region near the top edge of the frame.
Don't forget that Venus is nice and bright in the western sky after sunset too! Jupiter is also very prominent in the north western sky after sunset.
Happy Viewing !