Comet Iwamoto (C/2018 Y1)

[Brian]

Comet Iwamoto (C/2018 Y1) is moving from Virgo up through the sickle of Leo over the next week or so. Currently reported at magnitude 7 and visible in binoculars in reasonable skies:

see https://www.skyandtelescope.com/observi ... brightens/

[brian livesey]

It'll be interesting to see if the comet can be imaged in wide-field with the Leo galaxies NGC 95/96/105.

[mike a feist]

It will be interesting to see if we can even just see it in small instruments being another of those very close and therefore large and low surface brightness beasts...it will also be interesting to see if we ever get a nice clear sky at the right time and before the Moon moves nearby! Still, here's hoping!! Regards maf

[mike a feist]

Looks like here in Sussex there may well be a clear spell in the early hours of tomorrow! Will give it a go. Checked it's position in advance and will be near to the group of faintish stars near tau Leonis. Tau is fl.84 and the others include fl.80, fl.82 & fl.83, so a reasonably easy area to starhop around. Will use the Acuter 15x65 spotting scope. Will report success or failure tomorrow! Hopefully success! Regards maf.

[brian livesey]

It's been an exceptionally cloudy winter this time Mike, with all of those Atlantic fronts piling in. It makes the winter seem much longer.