[Atmob-discuss] Comet Holmes Alert

[Launie, Kenneth J]

While driving home last night, it looked like the new WGBH LED display
(the corner of their new building overlooking the Mass Pike) was showing
an astrophoto of what was clearly a comet with no tail, I assume of C.
Holmes. Driving at 70 MPH (I mean 55 for any law enforcement folks on
the list) it was hard to make out the constellation. Impressive to see a
40 foot tall astrophoto! Does anyone know who took the shot?

Ken Launie

> -----Original Message-----
> From: atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org 
> [mailto:atmob-discuss-bounces at atmob.org] On Behalf Of George Roberts
> Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:29 AM
> To: atmob-discuss at atmob.org
> Subject: [Atmob-discuss] Comet Holmes Alert
> 
> Comet Holmes suddenly brightened from magnitude 16.9 to 
> magnitude 2.4 yesterday.
> 
> Yes - that's right - 700,000X brighter in one day.  Anyway it 
> is visible all night long (no need to get up at dawn!) in 
> Perseus.  I suggest you look for it tonight (it is supposed 
> to clear) in case it goes back to mag 16 again.  Word is that 
> it is hard to find naked eye because it looks like a star so 
> use binoculars.  Finder chart available here:
> 
> http://comets.skyhound.com/
> 
> - George Roberts
> http://gr5.org