Observe Comet Holmes Nov. 1-2
Released: November 1, 2007
Comet Holmes is the only known periodic comet to undergo outbursts that have caused it to brighten by up to 10 million times. Now University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, faculty and members of the community can view this first hand at observation sessions 8-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, and 9:15-10:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. The observations will take place at the Whitewater Observatory Outside Observing Platform north of the UW-Whitewater Alumni Center.
Thursday's event will feature an observation session of Comet Holmes. On Friday, the Whitewater Observatory will host a lecture, "The Natural History of Comets," given by Observatory Director Paul Rybski at 8 p.m. in Upham Hall Room 141, and will be followed by another observation session of Comet Holmes at 9:15 p.m.
The Comet Holmes was discovered in 1892 and is currently in the constellation of Perseus visible in the northeast sky after 8 p.m. It is visible to the unaided eye as a somewhat fuzzy object of moderate brightness.
A pair of binoculars is all that's needed to view the comet. A sky map to assist in locating Comet Holmes can be found at: www.spaceweather.com.
The Friday night lecture will discuss the nature of comets as well as how the comets' appearance in the sky has influenced human history. Instruments used during the observing sessions will include 20 x 80 binoculars, a four-inch and a 12-inch aperture richest-field reflecting telescope and several eight-inch aperture reflecting telescopes. The lecture and viewing sessions are suitable for individuals as young as six. Other information is available by contacting Observatory Director Paul Rybski at rybskip@uww.edu. Weather information can be obtained for Thursday night by calling (262) 472-5731.
- Regina Shirkey,shirkeyrm26@uww.edu
