If you're looking for a good beginner's guide to backyard astronomy, try one of these
three excellent selections:
three excellent selections:
You can begin to enjoy backyard
astronomy with no other tools
than your own two eyes.
However, a good pair of
binoculars will help take you to
the next level. These Celestron
OptiView Binoculars are ideal for
observing the night sky.
astronomy with no other tools
than your own two eyes.
However, a good pair of
binoculars will help take you to
the next level. These Celestron
OptiView Binoculars are ideal for
observing the night sky.
Astronomy - Comets
Comets - Visitors From Deep Space
One of the most exciting events to occur for amateur and professional
astronomers alike is the appearance of a bright comet. Comets, often described
as "dirty snowballs", are conglomerations of dust, ice and gas that orbit the sun at
vast distances. Some of these objects circle the sun in a disk beyond the orbit of
Neptune, and others are part of an immense cloud beyond the outer reaches of
the solar system. They range in size from a few hundred feet across to upwards of
100 miles across. Occasionally, one of these objects is gently nudged out of its
orbit in the icy cold of space and begins a long trip into the inner solar system.
Eventually, it becomes visible in telescopes and a comet has been discovered.
Comets are generally named for their discoverer, or discoverers. However, the
most famous comet of all time, Halley's comet, is named after Edmund Halley who
didn't discover it but, rather, calculated its orbit and predicted its 1759 return.
Halley died in 1742 and therefore did not witness the return of the comet that now
bears his name.
As comets approach the inner solar system, the sun's energy begins to have an
effect. Gases and dust are released and the radiation from the sun drives the gas
and dust into the characteristic comet tail. Depending upon such factors as size,
composition and distance, some comets become visible to the naked eye.
Occasionally, a comet attains spectacular brightness, gracing the heavens in the
hours after sunset, or in the early morning.
One of the most exciting events to occur for amateur and professional
astronomers alike is the appearance of a bright comet. Comets, often described
as "dirty snowballs", are conglomerations of dust, ice and gas that orbit the sun at
vast distances. Some of these objects circle the sun in a disk beyond the orbit of
Neptune, and others are part of an immense cloud beyond the outer reaches of
the solar system. They range in size from a few hundred feet across to upwards of
100 miles across. Occasionally, one of these objects is gently nudged out of its
orbit in the icy cold of space and begins a long trip into the inner solar system.
Eventually, it becomes visible in telescopes and a comet has been discovered.
Comets are generally named for their discoverer, or discoverers. However, the
most famous comet of all time, Halley's comet, is named after Edmund Halley who
didn't discover it but, rather, calculated its orbit and predicted its 1759 return.
Halley died in 1742 and therefore did not witness the return of the comet that now
bears his name.
As comets approach the inner solar system, the sun's energy begins to have an
effect. Gases and dust are released and the radiation from the sun drives the gas
and dust into the characteristic comet tail. Depending upon such factors as size,
composition and distance, some comets become visible to the naked eye.
Occasionally, a comet attains spectacular brightness, gracing the heavens in the
hours after sunset, or in the early morning.
NewExplorations.Net
This is a great book
for younger
beginners!
for younger
beginners!
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| New! Backyard Astronomy Starter Kit. We suggest that you consider this unique astronomy starter kit from The Discovery Channel Store. Everything you need to begin exploring the heavens on your next clear night: |
Copyright 2007 NewExplorations.Net
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved.
Star Chart
shows the location
of the stars,
constellations and
planets relative to
the horizon for the
exact hour and date
you determine.
shows the location
of the stars,
constellations and
planets relative to
the horizon for the
exact hour and date
you determine.
Comet Alert
Comet Holmes is presently visible in the
Northern Hemisphere in the constellation
Perseus. Unexpectedly, comet Holmes
has brightened to a naked-eye object that
is easily visible in a clear sky. Views
through a telescope are spectacular.
Perseus is nearly directly overhead at
10:00 p.m. local time on November 15th
and comet Holmes appears to the
naked-eye as a bright fuzzy patch of light
very near the brightest star in Perseus.
Use this star chart to find Perseus and
comet Holmes:
Comet Holmes as seen from the University
of Chicago
Comet Holmes is presently visible in the
Northern Hemisphere in the constellation
Perseus. Unexpectedly, comet Holmes
has brightened to a naked-eye object that
is easily visible in a clear sky. Views
through a telescope are spectacular.
Perseus is nearly directly overhead at
10:00 p.m. local time on November 15th
and comet Holmes appears to the
naked-eye as a bright fuzzy patch of light
very near the brightest star in Perseus.
Use this star chart to find Perseus and
comet Holmes:
Comet Holmes as seen from the University
of Chicago
