| By David Grennan - Author Astronomy & Space Sky
Diary.
2007 F1 was discovered as part of the
Lowell Observatory Near Earth Object Search. The actual discovery
was made by B.A.Skiff using the facilities 58cm Schmidt Camera and a CCD.
The preliminary orbit indicated that this comet would become a
telescopic object in late October, with a perihelion date (closest to
the Sun) of October 28th. However subsequent observations indicate
that 2007 F1 is set to become significantly brighter than initially
expected. There is now a reasonable chance that this comet may
even reach magnitude +3. This would make it an easy nakedeye
object. However there are some
complications.
2007 F1 is quite close to the Sun when
it is at its brightest. As such observers will have to content
with twilight while observing this comet.
Comet LONEOS will be at its brightest
on October 28th but that doesn't mean you should wait until then to
observe it. As of October 14th, observations have placed LONEOS at
around magnitude +6. This should make it a relatively easy
binocular target. You will need to use or charts below to help you
locate it.
Note particularly how close the comet
gets to a couple of bright stars. Between October 18th an 20th
note the proximity to the the stars 'Arcturus' and 'Muphrid', both of
which reside in the constellation of Bootes. Also note that
when the comet is brightest around October 28th, it is close to the
bright star Zubeneshcamali (Zuh-ben-esch-a-maly). Use this
proximity to help you track down your quarry more easily.
Due to the inevitable twilight present
while observing this comet, you will need to be equipped with binoculars
to help you find this comet. However later in the month when the
comet is brightest, you might just stand a chance of spotting it with
the naked eye.
Charts for C/2007 F1 LONEOS
The Chart below will help guide you to this comet as it graces our evening
sky. Stars are shown to magnitude +5.5. The comet is plotted every
two days at 19:30hrs BST (18:30hrsUT)after October 28th)
(Click on the diagram for a higher resolution printable map)
C/2007 F1 LONEOS for October 2007
It is often interesting to look at a comet's motion as it passes across our
sky. The short video below (~2MB) shows 2007 F1 as it passes across the
October Sky. Also note how the angle of its tail changes as the moth
progresses. A comets tail always points away from the sun
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