Ladies and Gentlemen I ask you, why do we do this? Why do we spend thousands of dollars to stand out in the dark all alone except for the bugs. Why do we leave our wives, husbands and children and drive miles and miles to get away from every bit of civilization we can? What's there to make our hearts pound, our blood boil and adrenaline come squirting out our ears? The answer is in Pisces headed for Pagasus at an alarming rate. Ladies and Gentelmen, this is why we came! Comet Linear C/2001 A2, it's here! It's huge! It's unmistakable! Don't miss it!
As you may know, the waether in N.J. has been awful. Last night (7/2) was clear. I got up at 3:30 AM (7/3). Didn't even set my clock. I knew I'd get up about then because I had something I wanted to do. I just open my eyes, 3:35, amazing. I put on my sneakers, shorts, sweatshirt, grabbed my 15x70 binoculars and the chart of the path I printed. Out I went. Didn't really need the chart, it was very clear in my head where to look. The Comet is mag. 4.4 and a naked eye object. The sky was excellent. The great square of Pagasus was very high. The Circle of Pisces was visible. The Comet should be below to the left. I couldn't help taking a look at M31 to adjust my eyes and focus the binos. M31 was outstanding. I started to sweep the area in Pisces, "GOT IT! YES! WOOOO". I'm surprised the neighbors didn't come running out, "Got what?". There it was, huge! Big round spot. It looked like M31 only rounder, like M13 but brighter. It just dominated the sky. Very bright in the center, huge round ball with some disipation arount the edge. I'd say it was more than half the size of the moon. Beautiful. Wonderful sight. I looked away from the binos, there it was, naked eye. Small fuzzy spot like a galaxy in the eyepiece. This is why we do this. I've never seen anything like it. Unfortunately, it was above a street light so no tail was visible. I was glued to it for about 1/2 hr. then went inside. That image is etched in my head. I can still see it. In 2 weeks it will be mag. 5.5, getting dimmer, further away and smaller. Every day you wait will not be as good as the days you miss. Get out there people! Now's the time. This is not to be missed. Fantastic item! I don't know what else to say to convince you. I never thought something could out shine the Andromeda Galaxy, but this it. I don't care how much sleep I miss, I'm going out ever chance I get. This is a high priority, I must see it in the Telescope before it's gone. The moon will be a problem to over the next 2 weeks. Who cares! I'm out there, no matter what! Hope to see you there! Clear skies.
That's it;
BOB SAL