The eastern sky at 5:00 AM offers
some treats on the last of August and early in September. The chart
shows the locations of Comet Petriew over several days. At mag 10.5,
it's not a naked-eye object. I found it readily in our 12" scope,
although it's no more than a faint fuzzball perhaps 3 or 4 arcminutes across.
The tail was not well defined. I suspect it will require at least
an 8" scope to be seen. Here are its coordinates in case you're sufficiently
motivated: 8/31 6h 41m, N23d 9'; 9/2 6 51, 22 17; 9/4 7 0, 21 24;
and 9/6 7 9, 20 31. The distance from Jupiter's center ranges from
about 1/2 deg to about 5 1/2 deg. The chart suggests that Petriew
may move across the face of Jupiter, but it won't because J is moving as
well as the comet (I haven't shown J's motion here). The moon will
soon be a problem in the morning sky, so be forewarned.
Besides the comet, three planets
are prominent in the morning sky. Venus shines near the horizon at
mag -4.0 (remember, negative magnitudes are brighter). Jupiter is
well above the horizon, shining at -2.0. With a steady hand, a clear
sky, and a pair of binoculars, you may be able to see J's 4 largest moons.
Finally, Saturn has been a great sight, high in the morning sky, shining
at about 0 mag. |
