[BAA-ebulletin 00716] Comet 2012 K5 approaches clusters M36 and M37

BAA electronic bulletins service baa-ebulletin at britastro.org
Thu Jan 3 20:15:31 GMT 2013


>From the Deep Sky Section.  Observing Opportunity
The star clusters M36 and M37 in Auriga are some of the finest open clusters 
visible in the winter sky.  Comet 2012 K5 LINEAR is currently paying them a 
visit and making a close approach (in line of sight terms only, of course) 
creating a splendid photo opportunity.  The comet is currently around mag 11 
or brighter and the clusters are each around magnitude 6.

M36 is located at RA 5h 36.3min and Dec +34o 08' and M37 at RA 5h 52.3min 
and Dec +32o 33'.  The position of the comet for 00:00 UT on 2013 Jan 3/4 is 
RA 5h 35.6min and Dec +33deg.  Comet positions for other dates can be 
obtained from the Comet Section web site.

If the current period of cloudy and wet weather should clear over the next 
day or so and you observe this event, please send your observations to the 
Comet and Deep Sky Sections.

Stewart Moore
Deep Sky Section Director
2013 Jan 3

 



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