BS: Comet McNaught

Subject: BS: Comet McNaught
From: nutty
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 05:44 PM

This has been a year of strange weather patterns on a global scale.

Gales in the UK. Unusually large snowfall in parts of the US. Drought on Australia. Heavy flooding in Peru. etc etc.

Lots of talk about global warming which is the political baby of the time but not a mention in any newspaper I read about close comet activity which could be the real cause.

Click to see pictures

Anybody else heard anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 06:03 PM

Sure.

As you can tell from this genuine NASA photograph, the comet has already set fire to the Earth's atmosphere and is thereby causing the end of the world.

Comets are nature's way of saying, "Tough, Jack, it's all over now!"

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: nutty
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 06:07 PM

Thanks for that amazing picture ..... I have found more having now googled but am still puzzled by the lack of interest in the media, given that this comet has been around for a year and is very unusual in its intensity.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 06:10 PM

It's being kept secret by the Bush-Blair Secrecy Coalition. Just for looking at the sky you can be charged with violation of the Official Secrets Act!

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:01 PM

...so that explains the three guys on camels who rode thru my backyard the other day, heading north. Anyone need some Myrrh?

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:08 PM

No, but I'd like some good Irish or Scotch -- or both (seperately).

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:20 PM

I would imagine the reason it hasn't been getting much publicity is that it's only been visible for a short time each day, low on the horizon right after sundown. Hale-Bopp was visible well after dark.

I will make a point of trying to catch it tomorrow. Too many trees in the immediate vicinity, but a drive out to a big open field should afford a decent view.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 11:34 PM

BillD, the Myrhh is sposed to go to the next Getaway, didn't you get the memo? Check with Rita.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: freda underhill
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 04:15 AM

What magnificent photos - it will be visible in Australia from Monday.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 07:18 AM

I first heard about it a couple of days ago on the weather forecast (UK).
It has been cloudy each evening since, so I haven't managed to see it yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: freda underhill
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 08:23 AM

The astronomer who first identified this comet is Rob McNaught, from the Siding Spring Observatory near coonabarabran, near the Warrumbungle National Park. Comet McNaught is the 31st of 32 comets that Mr McNaught has found in 20 years.

And one of the roads through Coonabarabran is the Newell Highway....

NEWELL HIGHWAY
John Warner (1985)

This song celebrates the Warrumbungle Ranges in inland NSW. John first heard the tune, C.H.H. Parry's melody for the hymn 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind,' in his earliest childhood as a theme to a BBC radio programme, and it is adapted here from that memory.

Awake before the dawn within the spires of range
Where magpies ornate melodies
Engrave the chilly morning breeze
Beneath the towering stone,
Beneath the towering stone.

On nights of silver moon too rich to waste on sleep
In silence make your way to seek
The choirs of frog in swamp and creek
That sing beneath the stars,
That sing beneath the stars.

Out on the western plain beside the roaring road
Where trucks snarl by without a care
Are billabongs with ibis there
And wedge-tailed eagles soar,
And wedge-tailed eagles soar.

All you who love the earth
And make her ways your choice
Cry out against the noise of trade
Demand that silence should be made
So that all might hear her voice,
Her ancient, matchless voice.


The second verse of this song will be especially poignant over the next couple of days as the comet is seen on the skyline near Coonabarabran..

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: nutty
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 08:48 AM

I really would like some comments from you folks about the question I posed (possibly badly)when I started the thread

Are this year's strange weather patterns really caused by global warming (or is it just politically expedient to say this) or is it because of this comet that has been around for the last year??

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 09:07 AM

Here is a site with some interesting pics - particularly the ones in 3D if you are able to cross your eyes. The quicktime stereo animation is even better!

I might try looking in the western sky just after sunset from tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 10:09 AM

No. Comets do not cause odd weather patterns, although Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasinghe have theorized that new strains of influenza might be "seeded" by them as the Earth passes through the comet's tail.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 10:10 AM

Hang on...if a comet smacked into the Earth it would probably upset the weather patterns. But not likely otherwise.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Metchosin
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 11:59 AM

There are those that believe that the increase in sun spots and solar activity is responsible for 20th century global warming, contrary to other more widely held theories.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 12:34 PM

freda, thanks for the song. Beautiful and very poignant. I find myself craving a natural silence so much these days.

nutty, HERE'S some info on what would happen if one hit the Earth.

I have NO idea if this person knows what they are talking about, but they ahev this to say: Comets are electrically active disruptors. They need not impact the earth directly to alter earth weather patterns through the disruption/augmentation of the sun's energy output. As with any electric circuit, arc'ing can occur due to proximatey which does not require actual impact (action at a distance -per Mccanney). These comets willl cause weather impacts.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 01:06 PM

"They need not impact the earth directly to alter earth weather patterns through the disruption/augmentation of the sun's energy output"

...and there's this butterfly in Brazil.

Do these people have ANY idea what actual calculations of possible effects might be? It's VERY far away.

(what, me? cynical?.....well, maybe, a little);>)

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 02:22 PM

Well, I scanned through that list on katlaughings link, and in general they're talking out of their arse.

Lots of the listed things are possibly possible, but would have effects millions of time smaller than those quoted if they are real. Quite a few are just plain wrong, and there are a few grains of truth scattered about.

There's also some astrology, which I don't know enough about to say how it relates to common opinions in this field.....

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 03:02 PM

Yes, this comet is affecting the weather pattern. It doesn't want ne to see it so it's making it very cloudy.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 05:57 AM

I SAW IT! I SAW IT! I SAW IT!

We went out to a place which I know is a brilliant lookout for sunsets - Denistone Park. I used to go there a lot to watch and photograph sunsets when I lived closer, but since moving to Earlwood, I haven't been there much at all.

When we arrived half an hour before sunset, there was quite a crowd with cameras and viewing equipment set up on tripods. The Weather Bureau had predicted that cloud and haze might make viewing difficult. Clouds were not a problem, but there was a bad smog haze right across the horizon and the sun going down was dull and red. It took a few minutes before we could see anything, and there were a few planes and helicopters around as well - no doubt there to take pictures, so it was hard to tell with the naked eye what it was we were seeing. Then we saw a likely looking light spot above the haze, and once we looked at it through the binoculars, you could see the tail quite clearly, spraying out above it (the tail always streams away from the sun).

I took pictures of where it was, but with my very basic point and shoot camera, you can't see the comet - still, I know exactly where it was, in relation to a couple of little clouds, and just knowing it's there is sorta cool.

I'm so excited I'm going back to look at it tomorrow night. It will be visible for a little longer and from a little higher, although it apparently won't be quite as bright. However, if there is less haze, I might actually get a better view than I got tonight.

Anyone else in Oz see it?

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 01:12 AM

Wot - not other Oz cats interested?

Oh well, I'm off there tonight for another look, although they have predicted haze again :-(

Here's what it looked like last night from the area of Anzac Bridge - Sydney Observatory. As you can see, not very bright, but I don't think I can stick around another few million years to see it again, so I'll take what I can get.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: GUEST,Keith A o hertford
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 04:48 AM

You are lucky Jenny.
In winter England the sun slithers down and up almost horizontal so the comet never shows clear.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 06:21 AM

Denistone Park isn't particularly close to home but I don't know anywhere better in my area. However I made the trek there again. The crowd was bigger than last night and you could feel the excitement!

The view was definitely better tonight - well worth the trip.

Although it first looked like the clouds and haze were going to be worse, above the haze was a large area of nice clear sky with a few clouds higher up. The comet appeared from higher in the sky than last night - just below the high clouds with the tail streaming up, so we had a good 30 minutes clear viewing. It was easy to see the comet and the tail with the naked eye - even better with binoculars of course. It finally plunged into the dark grey murk just before 8.55.

I MAY consider going again tomorrow night, but I wish I could find somewhere closer.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 07:45 AM

It's been raining in the Scottish highlands almost non stop for over a week, so NO chance.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 09:00 AM

Too bad, Giok. I guess all that rain put out the comet.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 09:24 AM

LOL Rapaire!

No wonder he's gone round the sun and headed down towards us. Our hot sunny weather would suit him better. He sure ain't no damp squib!

See, I'm already talking about this comet like it's a person. Getting quite fond of the 'little' bugger!

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: clueless don
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 08:39 AM

So, is this comet currently visable from the U. S. of A.?

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 10:16 AM

Don, I'm not quite sure where it can be seen now in the Northern Hemisphere. It depends on your latitude. It might be more difficult now to see it at twilight when it is easiest to see, but it has been seen by some in daylight - with the sun carefully shielded out to prevent eye damage of course. This site, might be helpful.

We have only been able to get a twilight view here in the Southern Hemisphere since it rounded the sun a few days ago. The best view so far in my opinion was last night, because it was sufficiently high in the sky to still be visible as the sky darkened, but was still bright. In the next few days it will appear higher each time, which is good in terms of darkness, but it is also losing its brightness now and will become difficult to see even from here, as it heads back off into outer space in the next week or so. Because it has never been seen before, nobody is sure how long it will be before it comes back, but it certainly won't be in our lifetimes.

I located another viewing place closer to home today - Peace Park in Ashbury - but there were storms out west in the afternoon and the sky clouded over. There was no chance of seeing the comet, so I didn't go. Maybe tomorrow night...

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: clueless don
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 09:25 AM

Thanks for the link, JennyO. Looks like I missed it.

I wonder why Jack Horkheimer didn't see fit to mention it in any of his daily broadcasts.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 09:37 AM

It's only visible in the Southern Hemisphere now, where it is spreading disease and death like comets always do.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 10:22 AM

Yeah, we're dropping like flies (cough cough).

Went out to Peace Park tonight, which is a great place to view from, but there were too many clouds. I'll try again tomorrow night.

I've started a folder of Comet McNaught Pictures. I now have this one, taken in Sydney, as my wallpaper!

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Hawker
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 10:26 AM

Wow Thanks for the info, very interesting!
I heard on Radio Cornwall the other day a chap talking about the weather oddities, he said it was due to The El Nino effect, (google el Nino) what do others think?
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: David C. Carter
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 10:33 AM

All we've heard here is that it's el scorchio in Melbourne,and that there are fires everywhere else!Nothing about Comet McNaught!
Great picture you got there Jenny.

Cheers
David

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 10:33 AM

What they have been saying here in Oz is that the El Nino effect is responsible for the severe drought that we've had for the last few years, but that there are signs that it is coming to an end. There is a fair bit of rain predicted for February. The Weather Bureau does seem to get it right most of the time these days, so I hope they are right this time.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 18 Jan 07 - 10:46 AM

Yes, lots of fires in Victoria, but not up here in NSW at the moment. The weather has been warm to hot, but it isn't as hot as it has been some years. In spite of all these CLOUDS getting in the way of good comet pictures, none of them seem to be leading to rain, and that is what we really need.

I'm surprised at how little fuss there has been about the comet. The only other Ozcat to post on this thread has been freda underhill, and the only time I find people who are interested is when I go to the lookouts and talk to the other comet nuts. Oh well......

My dad was very much into astronomy. He would have loved this if he had still been alive.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 09:20 AM

Even though I missed it on Wednesday and Thursday because of clouds, I have seen photos from some lucky folks who apparently managed to glimpse it and photograph it when it came out to play last night.

When I saw today's cloudless sky, I was determined to go and see it tonight. There were some clouds and haze right down near the horizon, but nothing too serious.

I watched from a viewing platform in Peace Park again and I was actually the first one there to spot the comet this time. I've gotten used to looking higher up than I first would have expected. It was excellent viewing, with the comet showing up high above the clouds, and getting brighter as the sky darkened. The tail was long and easily visible both with binoculars and with the naked eye.

It seemed just as bright as ever, looking as good as it did on Tuesday, I thought, and we were able to see it for longer. Even when it finally dropped behind a big band of clouds, you could still see the tail streaking up for quite some time.

Someone took this picture from North Head tonight. It captures just the way it looked to me. Makes me feel like rushing out and buying an SLR camera!

I must admit I'm getting rather fond of this comet - I'm going to miss it when it's gone!

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 10:27 AM

And the atmosphere is all aflame from the comet, too! That's not sunset or sunrise you see, but the reflection of the burning atmosphere. In addition to disease and death and plague and war and famine, the comet is burning up our air AND telling us that there is worse to come because comets are Signs of Evil To Come.

Look at the Battle of Hastings, for instance.

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: tarheel
Date: 19 Jan 07 - 03:47 PM

well,if you know where to look it can be seen in the daytime against a clear blue sky!
check out this link:
(shield your eyes from the sun )


href="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html">http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 09:04 AM

we saw it tonight from JennyO's backyard! Well, the path outside he backyard, but kit was impressive & we all went oooh & ahhh

no need to join crowds in parks.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: JennyO
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 10:59 AM

Tonight was our summer BBQ and session for my folk club. Lots of people were gathered under the coloured lights. I had a feeling we might see the comet tonight from my backyard, so I had the binoculars out and ready, but before I knew it, there were a few people - and my binoculars - missing - they were gathered out by the back gate.

Steaks and sausages on the BBQ sat idle either cooling down or overcooking while everyone lined up to have a look through the binoculars. Hardly necessary actually as you could see it quite clearly without them. The tail is looking longer and longer, because we are seeing it in darker conditions. It's starting from so high up as it gets dark now that there isn't the same need to view right down to the horizon.

Anyway, they all agreed that it was an excellent Comet Party, and congratulated me on the show I had put on for the occasion, and asked me what sort of show I was going to put on for them next time. I'm afraid that one might be hard to top, unless they are prepared to wait around for a few million years!

Subject: RE: BS: Comet McNaught
From: freda underhill
Date: 20 Jan 07 - 06:54 PM

I'm so glad I got to see the comet in the sky - and and the view through John's binoculars was even more dramatic.

thanks jennyo, not only was it a great session with great music - but you laid on a comet! not bad.. :-)

freda