Spotting Comet PanSTARRS - OTEvents

25 Feb 2013

Mojo and I are going to our favorite observing location this afternoon, 
Amboy Crater, to try and view comet PanSTARRS just after sunset at 5:57 
p.m. From now through the end of March, the comet should be naked-eye 
visible very low on the western horizon - low meaning about 10 degrees 
above the unobstructed horizon for those at latitude 40 (we are at 34 
degrees North latitude here in the LA area), so it will be even a few 
degrees lower than that here throughout March.  But it will be visible 
in April and May (through a telescope) higher and fainter in the sky. 
This month, use binoculars to scan the western horizon.

Ten degrees can be measured by holding your clenched fist at arms-length 
distance, then with thumb-up, place the bottom of your fist on the 
horizon. The top of your fist (put your thumb back down first) will be 
ten degrees above the horizon. You'll see it's not very high. The 
comet's tail will be like your thumb up - because the tail will be 
pointing straight up.  It's easy to see why -- comets tails point away 
from the sun.

Any spot where you have an unobstructed view of the western horizon just 
at sunset is where you should look.  Here in LA, looking west on the 
horizon generally means looking through a hazy (smoggy) or foggy layer 
of our atmosphere. The viewing window is just about a half hour after 
sunset right now - sunset until about 6:30 p.m. Longer window next week, 
but still very low. Watch my video for tips.
Youtube: http://bit.ly/ZzW1bt

You are welcome to join us - sorry for the late notice, we were waiting 
to see how the storm affected the deserts before deciding where and when 
to go. Amboy, CA 92304 is an unincorporated town in San Bernardino 
County, in California's Mojave Desert, west of Needles and east of 
Ludlow on historic Route 66. It is roughly 60 miles northeast of 
Twentynine Palms. Amboy Crater is a BLM landmark with a big parking lot.

  It takes us about 3 hours (including a sandwich stop in Barstow) to 
get there, and we'll arrive at about 4:30 p.m. to set up our equipment. 
It will be cold and windy tonight, so we plan to observe for about 4 
hours then drive back home. It is not a campsite, so no tents, but you 
can sleep/rest in your car overnight and take a hike in the morning to 
the volcanic crater. There are pit toilets in the parking lot.

  We set up our two telescopes at the very end, next to the rest room. 
http://photo.whiteoaks.com/2011-10-22-amboy/Site%20Pictures/index.html 
If you do come, there are some universal courtesy tips to avoid blinding 
the observers. The San Jose Astronomical Association has a great list  
http://www.sjaa.net/etiquette.html

To this list, most important is to arrive before sunset.  It is 
virtually impossible to see the turnoff from Route 66 in the dark, and 
you will miss the comet hunt unless your are all ready to look at 
sunset. Park with your car lights pointed away from the telescopes 
closer to the entrance end of the lot. Switch your car's interior lights 
off if you can. We always bring some red carlight repair tape to place 
over very small flashlights, leave those big flashlights at home, you 
won't need them. No iPad, tablet, cell phones light near the (my) 
telescopes, please. Just step away and face your light away from the 
telescopes if you'd like to use them. They are fun to use, but will ruin 
(this) observer's dark adaption. Bring a chair, layers, binoculars, 
hydration. Oh there are trains with lights all night long, but I set up 
away from that light. You'll love to hear them in the dark. :-)

Since this is short notice, you may want to consider joining us on May 
11 at our campground star party at Mojave National Preserve instead. 
Hopefully, the comet will still be visible. The light pollution rules 
are a little more relaxed (except right near the telescopes) since it is 
a public star party. Last fall's flyer is here  with 
directionshttp://mojavepreserve.org/index.php/site/article/star_party_in_th…

If you do see the comet from LA let us know!  Your chances are good if 
you can see the western horizon with no clouds or haze. Try with 
binoculars. We'll share what we see, how hard it was, tips and tricks 
tomorrow! Wish us luck!

Jane

-- 
Jane Houston Jones
Monrovia, CA
What's Up Video March 2013: Comet PanSTARRS
On Youtube: http://bit.ly/ZzW1bt
2013 Preview: http://bit.ly/13NrNHy