h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I tried looking for it an hour ago, but no luck. It's quite close to the sun now, isn't it?

Yep, it's very very low on the horizon. We'll be lucky to see it tomorrow morning before dawn, I'll be looking

Are there any online sources predicting it's track over the next few days? I can't find any after a quick search.

There's a live feed for you...

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/soho_lasco_c3_live.html

Expected track: http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=070104_soho_02.jpg&cap=The+comet%27s+predicted+path+through+the+view+of+the+SOHO%27s+spacecraft%27s+LASCO+C3+camera.+Credit%3A+SOHO

It's clear now, except for some white sand in the air from (as you might guess) white sands range. Just gave it a try to see the comet in the daytime, but no go. Twilight will be in 1-1/2 hrs so will try again.

I think there's still a sky up there but I've seen it only intermittently for the past few weeks and I'm sure that the sun rises and sets unless the comet is brighter than we thought and it's *that* which is rising and setting

Mutter Mutter grumble

Ah well at keast there's still and and enough to go round. Help yourselves

Yumyum

No luck last night or this morning, so I guess it's out of sight now...the short glimpse I got before it faded into the morning haze on Sunday was probably it.

When does it come back?

RF

I haven't seen it today either

As soon as I find out, you'll be second to know

Hmm...

Comet McNaught is emerging from a weekend close encounter with the Sun. During the flyby, fierce heat puffed up the comet so much, it became visible in broad daylight. Et voila: http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_mcnaught_page7.htm
(note the one from Stuttgart)

Now Comet McNaught is receding from the sun and heading south. It should be a spectacular fixture in sunset skies of the Southern Hemisphere for weeks to come. Already photos and reports are coming in from down under: http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_mcnaught_page9.htm

On another note: A solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole on the Sun should reach Earth tomorrow (the 16th). This may or may not cause disruption to telecommunications, satellites, etc., but will cause spectacular aurora borealis displays for some lucky few.

Video of the comet:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6250000/newsid_6254600/6254645.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm