Comet Unexpectedly Brightens a Millionfold 276
swordgeek writes "Comet 17P/Holmes, a relatively obscure and (until a few days ago) dim object, has suddenly flared to be literally a million times brighter, going from magnitude 18 to 2.8. It is just outside of the constellation Perseus, which puts it high in the sky and ideal for viewing at this time of year. The comet still appears starlike even in binoculars but should grow to several arcminutes across over the next few nights. The comet is now readily visible to the naked eye. This is a completely unexpected once-in-a-lifetime event, so get out your finest optics (even if it's just your eyes) and go comet watching!"
Re:we need a comet, a big one (Score:2, Interesting)
Perhaps I'll go look. (Score:3, Interesting)
explanation? (Score:0, Interesting)
Why? (Score:2, Interesting)
Earth to comet: Y R U so late? (Score:3, Interesting)
Odd behavior (Score:5, Interesting)
I got a photo of it through my telescope (Score:5, Interesting)
THAT'S what that is! (Score:1, Interesting)
Knew it wasn't a planet as none of them seem gold, and planets tend to move with the sky...
Good to know that I can recognize new objects at night without having to be informed of them, prior.
Re:Perhaps I'll go look. (Score:3, Interesting)
Let me guess, you went out to see Halley in October or November of 1985, before perihelion, long before peak, when it was in the night sky. Sorry, the views were in the spring, in the morning sky. Just like they were telling folks on the news; no one listened.