PC Pals Forum

General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on April 16, 2010, 00:36

Title: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: sam on April 16, 2010, 00:36

Quote
The Great Comet of 2007 made an even bigger impression on the solar system than anyone realized, according to a new study that measured the size of the comet's wake.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/100413-biggest-comet-size-mcnaught/
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: Clive on April 16, 2010, 09:17
Southern hemisphere observers had the best view of that comet but it was also visible here.  I thought Hyakutake was the better comet but McNaught must have been a real whopper! 
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: sam on April 16, 2010, 14:28
indeed!
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: Simon on April 16, 2010, 21:44
That lead me to this... :o

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/100415-meteor-in-wisconsin-fireball-sky/

and some wonderful (not connected) pics here...

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/photogalleries/100415-national-parks-hidden-gems-pictures/#parks-hidden-gems-least-visited-gates-arctic_18836_600x450.jpg
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: Clive on April 16, 2010, 23:00
That incoming asteroid was scary!  I once observed a similar event from my own garden when a fireball came in quite low on the horizon traveling north to south.  The colour was predominantly green and there was a smoke trail as it fragmented.  If only I had videoed it!   :bawl:
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: Simon on April 16, 2010, 23:58
You could carry a videocam around all your life and never capture something like that.
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: sam on April 17, 2010, 05:17
Quote from: Simon on April 16, 2010, 23:58
You could carry a videocam around all your life and never capture something like that.


well as mobile phone cameras improve in quality soon you will be.
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: Clive on April 17, 2010, 13:04
I wouldn't even had chance to turn it on and point it Sam.  It was pure luck that Mercury happened to be visible at the time and I was in the garden looking at it when the fireball appeared. It was probably visible for 3 seconds maximum.
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: Simon on April 17, 2010, 13:44
Quote from: sam on April 17, 2010, 05:17

well as mobile phone cameras improve in quality soon you will be.

True.
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: sam on April 17, 2010, 15:35
Quote from: Clive on April 17, 2010, 13:04
I wouldn't even had chance to turn it on and point it Sam.  It was pure luck that Mercury happened to be visible at the time and I was in the garden looking at it when the fireball appeared. It was probably visible for 3 seconds maximum.

oh I see - yeah these darn things are fast but something tells me that a 6 year old would have had your phone on recorded it and added it to you tube in the time it took you to close your mouth after seeing it.
Title: Re: "Biggest" Comet Measured
Post by: Clive on April 17, 2010, 18:29
Yes I agree!   :laugh: