Comet 57 & '96B

[Sheron Snyder <SNYDERS@pa.msu.edu>]

From:	MSUPA::SNYDERS      "Sheron Snyder" 27-MAR-1996 08:10:48.16
To:	VICTOR
Subj:	Comet Question from the past?

> > The best comet I ever saw was while visiting my relatives in Boise Idaho, 
> > Easter week of 1957.   It lay right across the zenith in the early 
> > nighttime.   The tail was at least 30 degrees long and easily naked-eye 
snip
> > remember seeing this comet, and if so, did it have a name?

Comet Arend-Roland, discovered 1956 Nov 8. Closest approach to the Sun was
on 1957 April 8 (UT), at a distance of about 29.5 million miles. I remember
seeing it in the northwest evening sky that year. For a summary of its
appearance, see the June and July 1957 issues of Sky & Telescope magazine.
As it happens, there was another bright comet in evening skies that year,
Comet Mrkos, in August.

> > The temp here last night was -15 F and the sky was full of blowing snow, so 
> > Hyakutake continues  to be  a small fuzzball as far as we are concerned -- 
> > no one wants to stay outside long enuf to become dark adapted.    Margaret 
> > Clarke in Duluth.  mclarke@fac1.css.edu  

> Here is the Challenge  Can you help her out?

Try getting dark adapted indoors, by turning out the lights for 15 minutes
or so, then walking outdoors to see the comet. On Thursday  morning, March
27, viewing from a dark site after the Moon had set, I saw a tail
35 degrees long!

Bob Victor
victor@pilot.msu.edu