Ace of Spades HQ

January 16, 2013

Amateur Astronomers Image Comet ~~SMOD~~ ISON
— CAC

Some good news for a change.
The news here isn't that amateurs captured an image (or in this case two separate ones 25 minutes apart), it is the size of the instrument used.
Amateur astronomers Tom and Jennifer Polakis have imaged Comet ISON, currently magnitude 16.2 (that means don't bother looking for it yet) with just an 8" telescope. Any of you morons out there with a Skywatcher, C8 or Meade, with the right maps, camera, and tracking device, should now be able to "spot" it as well.

Don't expect a spectacular image when you click the link: it appears as a moving grey speck, as most comets this far out tend to do. But given its' potential, that little blob could be the start of something grand. (For clarity, ISON is coming November 2013 to January 2014, not to be confused with PANSTAARS coming mid-March)

Posted by: CAC at 01:20 PM | Comments (78)
Post contains 158 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Cool. Is this the one that's coming in a couple of months, or later in the year?

Posted by: rickl at January 16, 2013 01:24 PM (zoehZ)

2 Ah, OK. The second link answers my question.

Posted by: rickl at January 16, 2013 01:25 PM (zoehZ)

3 And, THIRD!

Posted by: rickl at January 16, 2013 01:25 PM (zoehZ)

4 Ban Comets (and Ajax)

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:25 PM (XkWWK)

5 "...given its potential, that little blob could be the start of something grand." Didn't one of those angels in "Paradise Lost" say something like this to Satan about Man during their post-eviction butthurt-confab?

Posted by: General Zod at January 16, 2013 01:25 PM (2+bRt)

6 Is this the SMOD we've been looking for?

Posted by: polynikes at January 16, 2013 01:28 PM (m2CN7)

7 Thread Wars: The Stompening!

Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 16, 2013 01:29 PM (UOM48)

8 Man I need to read the headlines.

Posted by: polynikes at January 16, 2013 01:29 PM (m2CN7)

9 Ametures,is there anything they can't do

Posted by: Jean at January 16, 2013 01:30 PM (2x+V2)

10 I had to look at the pic for some seconds before I noticed the one thing that was moving. Neat.

Posted by: mallfly at January 16, 2013 01:30 PM (bJm7W)

11 "But the GPS said this was the way to Antares B."

-- Comet ISON

Posted by: More "Callback", Bitchezzzzz at January 16, 2013 01:30 PM (QKKT0)

12 My black silk hooded robe is ready. Just tell me where to look.

Posted by: Soona at January 16, 2013 01:30 PM (MBJe8)

13 I have given The Meatball a reprieve.

Posted by: Ace Post Scheduling Enforcement Authority at January 16, 2013 01:31 PM (LCRYB)

14 On the bright side, there is a possibility that it could hit the earth, wiping out a considerable percentage of life.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at January 16, 2013 01:31 PM (GfHSl)

15 Don't worry, I'll protect you!
Your pal,
Satan

Posted by: mallfly at January 16, 2013 01:31 PM (bJm7W)

16 Is this the SMOD we've been looking for? Waves hand. This is not the SMOD you've been looking for.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 16, 2013 01:32 PM (6B1u5)

17 So what's the big deal if Manti Te'o has an imaginary girlfriend?

Posted by: palin steele at January 16, 2013 01:33 PM (StDOM)

18 Cool. Is this the one that's coming in a couple of months, or later in the year?

Posted by: rickl at January 16, 2013 05:24 PM (zoehZ)

Thanksgiving night

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at January 16, 2013 01:33 PM (GfHSl)

19 Just saw the image. That's not a comet. It's a space-time dust bunny.

Posted by: Soona at January 16, 2013 01:33 PM (MBJe8)

20 look at the bright side: if the planet is destroyed, Obama won't be president anymore.

Posted by: mallfly at January 16, 2013 01:33 PM (bJm7W)

21 Is that an 8 inch reflector in your pants, or are you just glad to see me?

Posted by: GnuBreed at January 16, 2013 01:34 PM (ccXZP)

22 20 look at the bright side: if the planet is destroyed, Obama won't be president anymore. Posted by: mallfly at January 16, 2013 05:33 PM (bJm7W) LOL. "For when you look at it, life's a piece of shit. Always look on the bright side of life..."

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:36 PM (XkWWK)

23 Lucifer's Hammer Now. Please!

Posted by: Count de Monet at January 16, 2013 01:37 PM (BAS5M)

24 This insignificant speck will be consumed by a solar CME like Al Roker's undergarments.

Posted by: Fritz at January 16, 2013 01:37 PM (w3+gB)

25 What's teh good news? Is it gonna hit us?

Posted by: FCC at January 16, 2013 01:37 PM (deKG5)

26 12 My black silk hooded robe is ready. Just tell me where to look. Posted by: Soona at January 16, 2013 05:30 PM (MBJe

Are you wearing the Nike sneakers and did you drink the Funny Face fruit punch before climbing into the bunk bed?

Posted by: Zombie Marsh Applewhite at January 16, 2013 01:37 PM (XkWWK)

27 Obviously the second comet should have its name changed to PONFAAR.

Posted by: Bob, person of Hench at January 16, 2013 01:37 PM (RUsmm)

28 I once got a half-way decent telescope. Never did figure out how to work all that aiming and tracking shit. Used it mainly for looking at the moon with a mid poer setting. But even that got old after a while having to continually readjust it s the moon moved by.

Gave it to grand kids after a while.

Posted by: Vic at January 16, 2013 01:37 PM (53z96)

29 >>>with just an 8" telescope.

I like that. Makes it sound like you can go to Wallmart and they have em on six different shelves starting at $29.95 and topping out at 50 bucks. Makes a great stocking stuffer. I mean, it's only 8" right?

Come to think of it I've got an old Celestron C8 with an equatorial wedge mount. . . Hmmmmm

Posted by: MikeTheMoose is Shrugging at January 16, 2013 01:38 PM (0q2P7)

30 Armageddon cult sock off.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:38 PM (XkWWK)

31 This could be one of the top 200 most interesting things to happen this year.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at January 16, 2013 01:38 PM (+lsX1)

Too soon to mow a bullseye in my backyard?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit. at January 16, 2013 01:38 PM (yiIja)

33 And I notice CAC is going for some payback.

Posted by: Vic at January 16, 2013 01:38 PM (53z96)

34 Here's what I don't get.

The asteroid suspected of causing the K-T extinction was supposed to be just six miles in diameter. That's like a tiny sliver of a grain of sand slamming into that globe the size of a basketball. How could this tiny particle trigger something as violent as the K-T extinction?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at January 16, 2013 01:39 PM (QKKT0)

35 27 Obviously the second comet should have its name changed to PONFAAR. Posted by: Bob, person of Hench at January 16, 2013 05:37 PM (RUsmm) Or SCOAMF Stuttering Clusterfuck of a Miserable Fireball...

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:39 PM (XkWWK)

36 Comet ISON will be followed up by comets CHARCH and ARBINX. /lies in wait

Posted by: Brother Cavil, Meadow Party 2016 at January 16, 2013 01:39 PM (GBXon)

37 31 This could be one of the top 200 most interesting things to happen this year. Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at January 16, 2013 05:38 PM (+lsX1) Just in front of the Oprah/Lance confessional.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:40 PM (XkWWK)

38 In other news, I'm heartsick that "All My Babies' Mommas" isn't going to be aired.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 16, 2013 01:41 PM (UOM48)

Just in front of the Oprah/Lance confessional.

Nothing will be more popular than whatever any Kardashian is doing.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit. at January 16, 2013 01:41 PM (yiIja)

40 So there's hope for some Mayan ju-ju after all?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:41 PM (XkWWK)

41 That's like a tiny sliver of a grain of sand slamming into
that globe the size of a basketball.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at January 16, 2013 05:39 PM (QKKT0)

...at 30,000 mph

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at January 16, 2013 01:41 PM (GfHSl)

42 Since the Space Shuttles are all grounded now, I guess an Armageddon style scenario is moot.

Posted by: Count de Monet at January 16, 2013 01:42 PM (BAS5M)

43 >>>Never did figure out how to work all that aiming and tracking shit.

That's the *nice* thing about wedges I guess. Alignment aint too tough. Locate Polaris, point the rotating end of the wedge right at it. 0 all scope angles, tilt the wedge till you can see polaris in the center of the viewing field. Lock it down. Plug it in.

The moon doesn't move much after that.

Posted by: MikeTheMoose is Shrugging at January 16, 2013 01:42 PM (0q2P7)

44 I like that. Makes it sound like you can go to Wallmart and they have em on six different shelves starting at $29.95 and topping out at 50 bucks. Makes a great stocking stuffer. I mean, it's only 8" right?

Amazon has them ranging from $500 to $2000.

Posted by: Vic at January 16, 2013 01:42 PM (53z96)

45 Can we shoot at it?

Posted by: phoenixgirl so done with the GOP at January 16, 2013 01:42 PM (GVxQo)

46 Oxygen is replacing "Babies Mommas" with "Fat Girls' Revenge."

Hurry, SMOD. Time's awastin'.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at January 16, 2013 01:42 PM (UOM48)

47 I like that. Makes it sound like you can go to Wallmart and they have em on six different shelves starting at $29.95 and topping out at 50 bucks. Makes a great stocking stuffer. I mean, it's only 8" right? Come to think of it I've got an old Celestron C8 with an equatorial wedge mount. . . Hmmmmm Posted by: MikeTheMoose is Shrugging at January 16, 2013 05:38 PM (0q2P7) I'd consider $400 pretty damn cheap, that would snag your setup (used). Even new Meade/Celestrons with motorized tracking are under $1200. The day of the $5k setup is fading fast.

Posted by: CAC at January 16, 2013 01:43 PM (SE7HH)

48 Wasn't Pon Farr the guy who sang "Naughty Naughty"?

Posted by: Dr. Varno at January 16, 2013 01:43 PM (HPMw2)

49 So, the 2nd Amendment is in the fight of its life and the last two posts are comets and lost Belgian grannies. Nice.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:43 PM (XkWWK)

50 This had better not be the letdown that Haley's Comet was. The only reason I won't be as pissed now as I was then was I didn't have over 10 years to get excited about what looked like a fuzzy star in the end.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at January 16, 2013 01:44 PM (ROv35)

51 I once got a half-way decent telescope. Never did figure out how to work all that aiming and tracking shit. Used it mainly for looking at the moon with a mid poer setting. But even that got old after a while having to continually readjust it s the moon moved by.

Wait- people buy telescopes to look at the sky?

I thought they were for peering into distant bedroom windows.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at January 16, 2013 01:45 PM (SY2Kh)

52 32 Too soon to mow a bullseye in my backyard? Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit. at January 16, 2013 05:38 PM (yiIja) Do you have a full head of hair and a Wahl clipper?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:45 PM (XkWWK)

53 50 This had better not be the letdown that Haley's Comet was. The only reason I won't be as pissed now as I was then was I didn't have over 10 years to get excited about what looked like a fuzzy star in the end. Posted by: Burn the Witch at January 16, 2013 05:44 PM (ROv35) A fuzzy star in the end? That's what Harry Reid and Jimmy Savile aim for.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:46 PM (XkWWK)

So, the 2nd Amendment is in the fight of its life and the last two posts are comets and lost Belgian grannies.

-

I'm not too worried about the second amendment. 100 million gun owners in this country, and they know that neither the executive branch nor the congress has the authority to revoke one of the ten amendments which were preconditions for having a United States. Even if they try, 100 million gun owners aren't going to peaceably give them up.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at January 16, 2013 01:46 PM (GfHSl)

55 54 Even if they try, 100 million gun owners aren't going to peaceably give them up. Posted by: Vashta Nerada at January 16, 2013 05:46 PM (GfHSl) From your mouth to 100 million index fingers...

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:47 PM (XkWWK)

56 >>>So, the 2nd Amendment is in the fight of its life

Less happened today then expected. A little bit of reprieve is needed where it can be taken.

Posted by: MikeTheMoose is Shrugging at January 16, 2013 01:48 PM (0q2P7)

57 ~~Calgon~~ ISON, take me away!

Posted by: Count de Monet at January 16, 2013 01:48 PM (BAS5M)

58 So, the 2nd Amendment is in the fight of its life and the last two posts are comets and lost Belgian grannies. Nice. Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 05:43 PM (XkWWK) Yeah, about that...er...

Posted by: Senators Johnson, Begich, Landrieu, Pryor, Reid, King, Manchin, Donnelly, Udall, Hagan, at January 16, 2013 01:49 PM (SE7HH)

59 I thought Calgon was the ancient Chinese secret?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:49 PM (XkWWK)

60 Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 05:46 PM (XkWWK) Yeah, I worded that kinda shittily.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at January 16, 2013 01:49 PM (ROv35)

61 60 Yeah, I worded that kinda shittily. Posted by: Burn the Witch at January 16, 2013 05:49 PM (ROv35) Not from my end. Oh, wait a minute...

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 01:50 PM (XkWWK)

62 So, the 2nd Amendment is in the fight of its life and the last two posts are comets and lost Belgian grannies. Nice. So, we've already had eleventy-seven threads on it and can't take a break for anything else. Check.

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent at January 16, 2013 01:52 PM (PMGbu)

63 Wait- people buy telescopes to look at the sky?

I thought they were for peering into distant bedroom windows.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at January 16, 2013 05:45 PM (SY2Kh)

Well, they are meant for observing heavenly bodies. Make of that what you will.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 16, 2013 01:54 PM (673KB)

Fat Girl's Revenge? Didn't she just win an award for that show the other night?

Posted by: Damn Sockpuppet at January 16, 2013 01:54 PM (YmPwQ)

65 Predicting what a comet will look like before it gets here is impossible, even more difficult than predicting just how impressive a meteor shower (which are remnants of comet tails) will be.

Those of my age will recall the crushing disappointments that were Kahoutek and the long-awaited return of Halley, both of which were hyped relentlessly before their less than memorable appearances.

Posted by: Adjoran at January 16, 2013 01:54 PM (9uOra)

I thought Calgon was the ancient Chinese secret?

You're thinking of Rice-a-Roni.

Posted by: Count de Monet at January 16, 2013 01:54 PM (BAS5M)

67 Yeah, I worded that kinda shittily.
Posted by: Burn the Witch at January 16, 2013 05:49 PM (ROv35)

Not from my end. Oh, wait a minute...

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 16, 2013 05:50 PM (XkWWK)

----------------------------------------

Both of you, bend over. NOW!

Posted by: Helen Thomas' proctologist at January 16, 2013 01:55 PM (MBJe8)

68 Wait- people buy telescopes to look at the sky? Buy? Learn to hack & the Hubbell is your oyster.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 16, 2013 01:56 PM (6B1u5)

69 anyone besides me remember Comet Kohoutek? Religious loons like the "Children of God" were out c 1976 predicting theend of the world, but as Sam Kinison said, IT NEVER ENDS!!!

Posted by: mallfly at January 16, 2013 01:56 PM (bJm7W)

70 anyone besides me remember Comet Kohoutek? Religious loons like the "Children of God" were out c 1976 predicting theend of the world, but as Sam Kinison said, IT NEVER ENDS!!!

Posted by: mallfly at January 16, 2013 05:56 PM (bJm7W)

--------------------------------------------

Sort of like Baraka's preezyness and Boehner's speakership.

Posted by: Soona at January 16, 2013 01:59 PM (MBJe8)

71 If I had the energy I might want to start a comet cult and rule with an iron fist until a conflagratory climax that rocks the civilized world. But that's been done to death.

Posted by: lincolntf at January 16, 2013 02:01 PM (ZshNr)

72 Any predictions on the subject of CAC's thread stomp that's coming in about 5 minutes? Hurry!

Posted by: Burn the Witch at January 16, 2013 02:03 PM (ROv35)

73 34 How could this tiny particle trigger something as violent as the K-T extinction? --------- The work the Kerbal Space Program uses for that sort of thing is "lithobraking".

Posted by: Citizen Anachronda at January 16, 2013 02:07 PM (xGZ+b)

74 We need telescope control laws.

After all, telescopes can be used to spy on the children.

We must prevent telescope violence.

Posted by: Anon at January 16, 2013 02:15 PM (f+fIu)

75 @45, phoenixgirl: "Can we shoot at it? Yes. We can hire Charlton Heston to nuke it. When that fails, we can pry it from his cold, dead hands.

Posted by: Dead Hands at January 16, 2013 02:37 PM (KqwSL)

76 I just think the name "ISON" is veddy, veddy interesting... it made me think of Jesus immediately; sort of like "I AM", Jesus is "I SON"... signs in the heavens and all that.

Posted by: Aslan's Girl at January 16, 2013 03:36 PM (KL49F)

My favourite comet quote:

"CALPURNIA
When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes."

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at January 16, 2013 03:51 PM (FkH4y)

78 @75 But Charlton Heston is dead.

Posted by: Dirty Old Man at January 16, 2013 06:08 PM (xAF87)

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