Speedy comet approaching Earth’s vicinity

Comet C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) is seen at the bottom of this beautiful image by Rolando Ligustri. Used with permission.

A new celestial visitor has been discovered by Japanese astronomer Masayuki Iwamoto. As of December 26, 2018, reports of observations of the comet were coming in from observatories around the world. It’s a fast-moving comet that will be closest to Earth by early February 2019. The celestial visitor will safely pass by Earth at some 15.5 million miles (25 million km), or about 64.8 lunar distances. The comet has been designated C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto).

Closest pass by the sun will occur on January 25, 2019, and closest approach to Earth is expected to be on February 4-5. Preliminary estimates suggest the newly found comet might reach a brightness or magnitude between 6.7 and 7.5 , which means it should be easily seen with small telescopes and binoculars in a few weeks.

EarthSky lunar calendars are cool! They make great gifts. Order now. Going fast!

A closer look at the celestial visitor orbit. Image via NASA/JPL.

During closest approach to Earth, comet Iwamoto will be located in front of the constellation Leo the Lion, which is visible late at night at this time of year.

This comet is moving fast. As of Christmas Eve (December 24, 2018), comet Iwamoto was approaching Earth at 115,426 miles per hour (185,760 km/h) or 51.6 km per second.

Path of comet C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) late on the nights of February 1 to 6. This chart faces east around midnight. The comet should be visible in binoculars at this time. Observers using small telescopes in early February 2019 should be able to detect this fast-moving comet’s motion in front of the stars, within a timeframe of perhaps 10 minutes. Illustration by Eddie Irizarry using Stellarium.

A good late night for trying to spot comet Iwamoto with binoculars or a small telescope should be Saturday, February 2, 2019. This chart faces east around midnight, as seen from Central U.S. Observers at other locations should also look east around midnight. The comet will be at this same approximate location. Illustration by Eddie Irizarry using Stellarium.

The comet was detected in images taken on December 18, 2018.

We will keep you updated …

The orbit of comet C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) is very elliptical (elongated). Its orbit suggests this comet came from the Oort cloud of comets surrounding our solar system.

Bottom line: A new comet soon to be within reach of binoculars and small telescopes is heading toward a late January/early February 2019 encounter with the sun and Earth. It’ll pass Earth safely at an estimated 64.8 lunar distances on February 4-5.

from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2Sn8mSb

Comet C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) is seen at the bottom of this beautiful image by Rolando Ligustri. Used with permission.

A new celestial visitor has been discovered by Japanese astronomer Masayuki Iwamoto. As of December 26, 2018, reports of observations of the comet were coming in from observatories around the world. It’s a fast-moving comet that will be closest to Earth by early February 2019. The celestial visitor will safely pass by Earth at some 15.5 million miles (25 million km), or about 64.8 lunar distances. The comet has been designated C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto).

Closest pass by the sun will occur on January 25, 2019, and closest approach to Earth is expected to be on February 4-5. Preliminary estimates suggest the newly found comet might reach a brightness or magnitude between 6.7 and 7.5 , which means it should be easily seen with small telescopes and binoculars in a few weeks.

EarthSky lunar calendars are cool! They make great gifts. Order now. Going fast!

A closer look at the celestial visitor orbit. Image via NASA/JPL.

During closest approach to Earth, comet Iwamoto will be located in front of the constellation Leo the Lion, which is visible late at night at this time of year.

This comet is moving fast. As of Christmas Eve (December 24, 2018), comet Iwamoto was approaching Earth at 115,426 miles per hour (185,760 km/h) or 51.6 km per second.

Path of comet C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) late on the nights of February 1 to 6. This chart faces east around midnight. The comet should be visible in binoculars at this time. Observers using small telescopes in early February 2019 should be able to detect this fast-moving comet’s motion in front of the stars, within a timeframe of perhaps 10 minutes. Illustration by Eddie Irizarry using Stellarium.

A good late night for trying to spot comet Iwamoto with binoculars or a small telescope should be Saturday, February 2, 2019. This chart faces east around midnight, as seen from Central U.S. Observers at other locations should also look east around midnight. The comet will be at this same approximate location. Illustration by Eddie Irizarry using Stellarium.

The comet was detected in images taken on December 18, 2018.

We will keep you updated …

The orbit of comet C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) is very elliptical (elongated). Its orbit suggests this comet came from the Oort cloud of comets surrounding our solar system.

Bottom line: A new comet soon to be within reach of binoculars and small telescopes is heading toward a late January/early February 2019 encounter with the sun and Earth. It’ll pass Earth safely at an estimated 64.8 lunar distances on February 4-5.

from EarthSky http://bit.ly/2Sn8mSb