ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

This is where you will find information and updates for all MAS Star Parties and Events open to the public.

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merle
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ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by merle »

I will be posting updated info regarding the Special Event Star Parties for observing comet ISON at the MAS Eagle Lake Observatory. I have three dates scheduled, November 30th, December 7th and December 21st.

Each of these events will begin at 4:00 pm and will be cancelled if cloudy.

Be sure to follow this forum post for the latest updates regarding comet ISON events and the go / no-go decision if the skies look questionable.

Thanks,
Merle
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
MAS Eagle Lake Observatory
Onan Observatory • Sylvia A. Casby Observatory • HotSpot Classroom
merle.hiltner@gmail.com
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krichter
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by krichter »

S&T has ISON appearing in the dawn sky if it survives it's trip around the sun. I am wondering if these star parties shouldnt be 4am instead?
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merle
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by merle »

krichter wrote:S&T has ISON appearing in the dawn sky if it survives it's trip around the sun. I am wondering if these star parties shouldnt be 4am instead?
I'll let you host those Kirby

:)
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
MAS Eagle Lake Observatory
Onan Observatory • Sylvia A. Casby Observatory • HotSpot Classroom
merle.hiltner@gmail.com
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merle
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by merle »

After ISON swings around the sun, it will be visible in both the morning and evening… assuming it survives.

Here's the path for ISON from from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30

Also, the path for ISON in the morning and the evening
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
MAS Eagle Lake Observatory
Onan Observatory • Sylvia A. Casby Observatory • HotSpot Classroom
merle.hiltner@gmail.com
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merle
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by merle »

merle wrote:
krichter wrote:S&T has ISON appearing in the dawn sky if it survives it's trip around the sun. I am wondering if these star parties shouldnt be 4am instead?
I'll let you host those Kirby

:)
FYI - ISON rises tomorrow morning at 7:07 am… but at 4:00 am, Lovejoy should be great, 6 degrees from M51.

-
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
MAS Eagle Lake Observatory
Onan Observatory • Sylvia A. Casby Observatory • HotSpot Classroom
merle.hiltner@gmail.com
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by krichter »

Yeah I doubt we'd get visitors except hardcore astro-nuts at 4am! Great that we can see in evening too.
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Dick Jacobson
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by Dick Jacobson »

Thanks Merle, those diagrams are great! Where did you get them? They show clearly how ISON heads almost straight north after it loops around the Sun, so it is visible either in morning or evening.
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merle
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by merle »

Dick Jacobson wrote:Thanks Merle, those diagrams are great! Where did you get them?
Made them from scratch using a screen capture of Starry Night Pro and added the notations in Preview on my iMac.
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by merle »

If you hadn't already heard, it looks like comet ISON has disintegrated during its encounter with the sun today.


http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronom ... _chat.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/comet- ... d=21041610

http://astronomia.udea.edu.co/cometspag ... TION.xhtml
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
MAS Eagle Lake Observatory
Onan Observatory • Sylvia A. Casby Observatory • HotSpot Classroom
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by Astrolaman »

The news, as of this morning, is that at least a part of Comet Ison made it past perihelion and could be redeveloping a coma. After having been wrong so many times on behavior of this comet, I think everyone is being very cautious about any further predictions. I can't decide whether is fun or annoying or both.
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by krichter »

Yeah S& T is saying as of yesterday afternoon that at least something survived! The eternal optimist that I am expects it to be a great one!
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observin ... 09261.html
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by merle »

I see enough evidence to try observing what remains of ISON tomorrow.

Partly cloudy skies are forecast, which means it will be "mostly" clear and the November 30 ISON star party is a go.

Start time of 4:00 pm at the Eagle Lake Observatory.


-
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
MAS Eagle Lake Observatory
Onan Observatory • Sylvia A. Casby Observatory • HotSpot Classroom
merle.hiltner@gmail.com
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by gsuglia »

I'm getting ready to head out. Hopefully there's still something to see.
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by bkerr »

Note the Astronomical League has downloadable certificates available that commemorate observations of Comet ISON by individuals or groups. Nice idea.

http://www.astroleague.org/content/down ... rtificates

bob
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by heinerv »

The rest of us are wondering: were you able to spot anything????
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merle
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by merle »

heinerv wrote:The rest of us are wondering: were you able to spot anything????
Nope. The partly cloudy sky forecast turned into completely overcast, so we'll try again next Saturday.

Merle
-
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
MAS Eagle Lake Observatory
Onan Observatory • Sylvia A. Casby Observatory • HotSpot Classroom
merle.hiltner@gmail.com
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merle
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Re: ELO Comet ISON Special Event Updates

Post by merle »

With the forecast for tomorrow of 50% cloud cover at sunset and getting cloudier throughout the night, I am canceling the Public Star Party for December 21st.
Clear skies,
Merle Hiltner
MAS Eagle Lake Observatory
Onan Observatory • Sylvia A. Casby Observatory • HotSpot Classroom
merle.hiltner@gmail.com
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