But for your Seasonal Astronomical pleasure... a sort of a Christmas Star
Behold Comet Catalina
Phil Plait has a nice explanation of the two tails seen in the pic above (hint: dust and ions), as well as links to
Sky and Telescope page with viewing details and maps as seen below.
Basically, it's sharing the early morning sky with Venus now as it enters Bootes.
At current magnitude 5 or 6 it's near the limit of naked eye visibility unless you're in a dark sky site.
Binoculars may be required for some locations.
Jan 1 it passes within a Full Moon's width of orange coloured Arcturus. Welcome to 2016
Highlights
- November 24 — Approximate date of first visibility in the dawn sky
- December 7 — Catalina gets company! The comet pairs up with the planet Venus and the waning crescent Moon this morning. From the central United States, Venus shines 4° southwest and the Moon 5° southwest of the comet.
- December 23–24 — Comet crosses into Boötes
- January 1, 2016 — Close pass (0.5°) of Arcturus on the first day of 2016
- January 9 — Comet crosses into Canes Venatici
- January 12 — Closest to Earth at 66.9 million miles
- January 14 — Comet crosses into Ursa Major
- January 14–15 — Passes just 1° north of Alkaid, the star at the end of the Big Dipper's handle
- January 16 — Passes 2° southwest of the 8th-magnitude galaxy, M101
- January 17 — Passes 3.4° northeast of the double star Mizar in the bend of the Big Dipper's handle
- January 21 — Comet crosses into Draco
- January 25 — Comet crosses into Camelopardalis
Clear skies and Happy Holidays.
