HEAVENLY VISITOR

Evening Star, Issue 22413, 10 August 1936, Page 8

HEAVENLY VISITOR

APPEARANCE OF COMET VISIBLE TO NAKED EYE A rare celestial visitor that has shyly hidden its graceful form behind tho clouds since its advent into the Southern Hemisphere in the past week emerged into full view of Dunedin astronomers about midnight last night. Their patience was fully rewarded. This newcomer is a comet, which came from the Northern Hemisphere with credentials that characterised it as only a “ faint object.” However, it has appeared much brighter than anticipated, and is easily visible to the naked eye. Searchers for the comet to-night should endeavour to locate it before tho moon rises, say, before 11.30, sine© the brightness of the moon tends to diminish that of the comet. It can be found in the eastern sky, roughly at an altitude of 45deg. The nucleus of the comet is very like a star to look at, and one enthusiast who has seen several of these curiously-formed ‘ -heavenly beings, says that the nucleus is more star-dike in appearance than in any comet he has previously seen. Surrounding the nucleus is a - hazy envelope extending for a considerable distance, and then comes what in popular estimation is the chief feature of the comet—the tail. A very distinct tail is possessed by this one, extending approximately by 2deg in length. _ The best view of it is to be obtained with binoculars, these being better than a telescope. But even with no aid to vision, the comet was easily picked up last night,' and' should' tho -sky -be; as clear again to-night, another good view should be obtainable. According to an authoritative opinion, the comet may be visible for a week. No arrangements have yet been mad© for a special opening to the public of tbe observatory, but a member of th« local Astronomical Society will be taking observations to-night.