Viewing comets with a dobsonian?

Is it possible to view an "observable comet" with a dobsonian reflector? I
don't know anything about astronomy, but I imagine it would be more
difficult that finding a star or planet since it would require more precise
coordinates. How would a person even go about finding a comet with a dob?
Thanks

How would a person even go about finding a comet with a dob?

Uh, point the scope where the comet is
at & look through the eyepiece.
Works for me.

How would a person even go about finding a comet with a dob?

Same way you'd find any dim fuzzy object. Comets don't move fast enough =
to=20
make a difference. I would use a chart that showed where the comet is in =

relationship to background stars.

-Florian

"The Central Scrutinizer" wrote in message
...
How would a person even go about finding a comet with a dob?

Uh, point the scope where the comet is
at & look through the eyepiece.
Works for me.

What if it's not there?
Look somewhere else, or wait for one to appear there?

Etok



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Hi,

J. Ellis wrote:
Is it possible to view an "observable comet" with a dobsonian reflector? I
don't know anything about astronomy, but I imagine it would be more
difficult that finding a star or planet since it would require more precise
coordinates. How would a person even go about finding a comet with a dob?
Thanks

You need software that will make finder charts for you showing the
position of the comet and how large it is in your eyepiece:
http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html

You also need the latest compiled comet information:
http://www.skyhound.com/sh/comets.html

Clear skies,
Greg

--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (33N, 106W, 2700m)

SkyTools Software for the Observer:
http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html

Skyhound Observing Pages:
http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html

What if it's not there?
Look somewhere else, or wait for one to appear there?


You could do either, or both. ;-)

-Florian

"J. Ellis" wrote in message
.211...
Is it possible to view an "observable comet" with a dobsonian reflector?
I
don't know anything about astronomy, but I imagine it would be more
difficult that finding a star or planet since it would require more
precise
coordinates. How would a person even go about finding a comet with a dob?
Thanks

Viewing comets with a Dob is easy -- of course, it depends on all the usual
things -- seeing conditions and knowing where the comet is. Unless it's a
really visible comet, it will look like a DSO -- fuzzy blob.

My first ever scope is an 8-inch Dob that I purchased in early January 2003.
I forget which comet it was, but something was visible in the low NE sky in
the early morning hours. I found it the second morning I looked for it.

Clay Sherrod's Arkansas Sky Observatory web site has a section devoted to
comets with updated location info. I checked it out, checked out the
location with Starry Night, and searched -- unsuccessfully -- one
below-freezing morning. The next morning, there it was -- dull, fuzzy
object. I located it with no problem for the following mornings until was
no longer visible.


--

----

Joe S.

J. Ellis wrote:
Is it possible to view an "observable comet" with a dobsonian reflector? I
don't know anything about astronomy, but I imagine it would be more
difficult that finding a star or planet since it would require more precise
coordinates. How would a person even go about finding a comet with a dob?
Thanks

A lot of comets have been discovered with a dob. It's a matter of knowing
the sky well and recognizing when something is there that doesn't belong.
If you want to see a comet that's already known, it's a matter of having
good charts.

Mojo
--
Morris Jones *
San Rafael, CA

http://www.whiteoaks.com

"J. Ellis" wrote in
.211:

Is it possible to view an "observable comet" with a dobsonian
reflector? I don't know anything about astronomy, but I imagine it
would be more difficult that finding a star or planet since it would
require more precise coordinates. How would a person even go about
finding a comet with a dob? Thanks

The same way you find any other object of known position. BTW some comets
have been discovered using Dobs. Hale-Bopp for one.

Llanzlan.

Esmail Bonakdarian wrote:
For instance, if you check http://www.heavens-above.com, you'll
currently see two finder charts for comets. That'll give you an idea.

Uh uh, bad idea. Great site for earth satellites but terrible for
comets. Comets are clearly an unimportant afterthought for them. Lest
more people be confused or dismayed -- they have charts for two comets
the 2002 V1 (NEAT) and 2002 X5 Kudo-Fujikawa. These comets are
currently magnitude 16.6 and 17.9 respectively (far too faint to be
detected visually in any telescope -- even a large observatory scope).
Both of these comets are left over from LAST APRIL. Not only that but
their orbital elements are old too; the comets aren't evcen ploteed at
the right locations... It's absolutely irresponsible for them to leave
these old finder charts on their page, complete with waving "New" tags.
How many people do you suppose have tried to see them?

You would be hard pressed to find a better source for up to date comet
information and charts than on my Comet Chasing page (updated regularly
since 1998). Included in the summary of each comet is how large a
telescope is required to view it successfully.

http://www.skyhound.com/sh/comets.html

Clear skies,
Greg

--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (33N, 106W, 2700m)

SkyTools Software for the Observer:
http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html

Skyhound Observing Pages:
http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html