C/2023 E1 (ATLAS) question

[Jnicholes]

Hi everyone,

I need some advice. I have a friend from Japan staying at my house. I want to take her stargazing with my telescope sometime. I saw somewhere that there is a comet in the sky, called C/2023 E1.

I want to take her to see this comet through my telescope, but I am getting conflicting information on its magnitude from the Internet. If it’s too dim, I can’t see it with my telescope.

Can someone help me figure out this comets magnitude? Is it something I can see with my setup?

Can someone help me out?

Jared

[Juno16]

Hi Jared,

Skysafari lists C/2023 E1 at magnitude 14.7.

Pretty dim!

[AstroBee]

There are a multitude of globulars and galaxies that are brighter and more impressive than this Mag 14 comet.

[helicon]

A few summer options include M13 the globular in Hercules, M4 the globular close to Antares in Scorpius, M8 the Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius, M17 the Omega Nebula (in my opinion holds up very well with light pollution compared to M8 or The Trifid (M20), and M11 in Scutum, the Wild Duck Cluster.

[JayTee]

This website is where you go to get the most accurate comet information.


http://www.aerith.net/comet/weekly/current.html

[helicon]

This website is where you go to get the most accurate comet information.


http://www.aerith.net/comet/weekly/current.html

Good resource JT. I noted the comet that will reach magnitude 0.0 in 2024 - one to watch!

[Jnicholes]

This website is where you go to get the most accurate comet information.


http://www.aerith.net/comet/weekly/current.html

I’m sorry, but I’m laughing really hard.

In one of the games I have played, Final Fantasy VII, there are a lot of themes with space, and one of the characters is named “Aerith.”

Seriously, though, that’s a good resource.

I think you guys are right, I should skip the comet, and try some different DSOs. Maybe I’ll show her some I’ve already seen.

[Chich]

You can also have a look at this page

http://astro.vanbuitenen.nl/comets

[helicon]

A few summer options include M13 the globular in Hercules, M4 the globular close to Antares in Scorpius, M8 the Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius, M17 the Omega Nebula (in my opinion holds up very well with light pollution compared to M8 or The Trifid (M20), and M11 in Scutum, the Wild Duck Cluster.

And I forgot to mention the Ring Nebula (M57) probably the second or first most popular summer object other than M13.

[kt4hx]

For comets there is also the Comet Observation database:

https://cobs.si/

While cobs.si lists the comet at 9.8, my Sky Tools 4 Pro lists it at 11.7 - so there you go, confusion reigns.


Agree with others that there are so many fine objects to view in the sky this time of year that the comet might be less than impressive. I also agree with you that you should highlight for her objects you've already observed. That way you already know what to expect and can better relate details of the object to her rather than something new that might have to find for the first time then get a handle on what it is you're seeing. Familiarity with an object always makes the task of showing newcomers sky treasures. Have fun, and hope it goes well.