Comet Holmes Looking Dimmer

Posted by Kelly Whitt Nov 15, 2007

It's a good thing Comet Holmes is so close to Mirfak right now, because without binoculars it's getting harder to spot.

Comet Holmes is now larger than the Sun, and as its envelope of gas and dust expands outward, it grows dimmer.

However, it is still a stunning sight in binoculars. Once you pick it up in binoculars you'll have no doubt that you are seeing the comet. It is much larger than any stars in the same field of view. Watch and see what happens over the next week as it approaches and passes Mirfak. Will Comet Holmes's bulk actually pass in front of the star and cause it to change brightness?

If you get any photographs of Comet Holmes and Mirfak, be sure to share them with me. Send me an e-mail with your jpeg and full name. I'll share the ones I can in the comet articles.