COSMIC STRINGS ALERT: Comet Lovejoy!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!  We have a comet after all...somewhat.

So Comet ISON did not survive its close brush with the Sun.  And on solar approach, it didn't really get bright enough for us to see in our sky until it was much too close to our Sun.  So...phooey.

However, Comet Lovejoy, one of several by that name (the official name of this one is C/2013 R1)...a much less touted comet...is also currently in our sky.  It too, is approaching the Sun, with perihelion coming on Christmas Day.  The big difference here is...this comet might actually be visible in our sky!

Comet Lovejoy is currently a magnitude 4 object in the constellation Corona Borealis.  That puts the comet above the threshold for naked eye visibility.  You'll want a dark sky location to get the best view - anywhere that you can get away from bright sources of light will work.  And of course, the best time to see the comet is in the wee small hours before dawn.

But still!  It's a comet!  HA!

Comet Lovejoy has already made its closest approach to Earth.  But as it draws closer to the Sun, its brightness may continue to increase, meaning that the comet may be on a path to looking better and better in our early morning skies.  Since Lovejoy will only get about as close to the Sun as Mercury, it might even survive and continue to put on a good show into the new year.  Stay tuned!

This finder chart will help you locate Comet Lovejoy in the morning sky:

Finder chart for Comet Lovejoy.  Courtesy spaceweather.com

Note that the chart shows three comets in this region...the only one you will be able to see is Comet Lovejoy.  At least a pair of binoculars will be needed to see either ISON or Linear X1.  Lovejoy has a decidedly greenish appearance and should be nicely visible from a dark location.

Best of luck seeing the comet!  If things continue to improve, we'll do a comet-watching event, so stay tuned for more details.

Carpe noctem!
Kelly

COSMIC STRINGS ALERT: Nova Delphini 2013

Woohoo!  We got us a nova!

A nova is a small, usually white dwarf star which brightens significantly because a companion star dumps material onto it.  When this new material becomes hot and dense enough - WHAM!  Nuclear fusion suddenly begins again, making the once-dead little star come to life and produce a whole heck of a lot of energy all at once.  A white dwarf can go nova repeatedly - as often as the supply of fuel is replenished to sufficient levels by its companion.

Nova Delphini 2013.  Image courtesy Wikipedia.

That appears to have a happened to a star in the constellation Delphinus the Dolphin.  The once-invisible star has brightened dramatically over the last few days - and it is now at just about the limit of vision for the average skies in our area.  If the sky around where you are is relatively dark and uncluttered at night, you should be able to pick out a faint "new" star in Delphinus.

"New" is in fact the Latin translation of nova.  Early astronomers thought that what they were seeing was a new star bursting into life.  Today we know this is not the case, but the name persists.  And in one sense, it is a "new" star, since normally this little white dwarf cannot be seen with the human eye at all.

This uptick in brightness may only last for a few days, and fortunately for us, the nova is well-placed in our evening skies for viewing.  Don't miss your chance to see this beautiful object!  Once the sky is nice and dark, head outside to check out the area near the Summer Triangle for the nova.  The chart below will help you locate it.  Bring out a pair of binoculars or a telescope to help you, as even at this new brightness, the nova may be just on the edge of your vision.

A guide to finding Nova Delphini 2013.  Image from Universe Today, created in Stellarium.

Best of luck!  If you see it, leave me a message in the comments!
Carpe noctem!
Kelly