THE NEW COMET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22493, 10 August 1936, Page 8

THE NEW COMET

DEVELOPMENT OF TAIL

POSITION AND MOVEMENT Peltier's comet lias now become a much more interesting object to the public, as a tail has developed in the last few days. This tail is about 2} degrees in length, or approximately fivo times the moon's apparent diameter. It is quite straight and is pointing in a northerly direction. The comet otherwise has changed very little in aspect. The star-like orange-coloured nucleus is surrounded by .a hazy coma, with the tail nebulosity streaming behind. The rapid apparent motion of last week has now been somewhat retarded, and by the end of the month the comet will be moving very slowly indeed. Lying between the constellations Indus and Grus, the comet may be seen well above the south-eastern horizon at G. 30 p.m. About midnight it is situated almost directly overhead, and at 5 a.m. it may be seen in the south-western sky. As the comet is of the third magnitude, it may be easily seen without telescopic aitl, appearing like a moderately bright star shining through a mist, the misty appearance being due to the enveloping nebulosity. The best view is obtained with binoculars, when the full extent of the tail is plainly revealed.