Comet Hartley Observation Planned

A few members of the observatory have planned the observation of the comet named 103P/Hartley which currently lies in the constellation of Gemini, weather and sky conditions permitting. The comet will be out for sighting at around midnight. Keeping in mind the tight schedule of various programmes to be conducted this week, Videsh Khandeparkar has promised an outing at the observatory before the re-opening of the observatory for the season. Last year, fellow members had sighted the Comet Lulin (Green Comet).

Comet 103P/Hartley

The following is an extract from physorg.com

"On October 20, the comet will be the closest it has ever been since it was discovered in 1986 by Australian astronomer Malcolm Hartley," said Don Yeomans, head of NASA's Near-Earth Object Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. and a member of the EPOXI science team. "It's unusual for a comet to approach this close. It is nice of Mother Nature to give us a preview before we see Hartley 2 in all its cometary glory with some great close-up images less than two weeks later."

Comet Hartley 2, also known as 103P/Hartley 2, is a relatively small, but very active periodic comet that orbits the sun once every 6.5 years. From dark, pristine skies in the Northern Hemisphere, the comet should be visible with binoculars as a fuzzy object in the constellation Auriga, passing south of the bright star Capella. Viewing of Hartley 2 from high ambient light locations including urban areas may be more difficult.

Sighting chart as shown on HeavensAbove.com

In the early morning hours of Oct. 20, the optimal dark sky window for mid-latitude northern observers is under two hours in length. This dark interval will occur between the time when the nearly-full moon sets at about 4:50 a.m. (local time) and when the morning twilight begins at about 6:35 a.m.

By October 22, the comet will have passed through the constellation Auriga. It will continue its journey across the night sky in the direction of the constellation Gemini.

The animation shows Comet Hartley 2 moving through the night sky on Oct. 1, 2010

Queries will be answered in the comments/AstroChat section.

About Us

In the year 1982 due to the zeal and perseverance of a Panaji resident and retired govt. officer Mr Percival Noronha, the Association of Friends of Astronomy (AFA) was founded by a group of astronomy enthusiasts in Panaji (Goa).

Basically dedicated to the appreciation and popularization of Amateur Astronomy the association was successful in founding The Public Astronomical observatory at Panaji (PAO)…The first public observatory in India to be funded by the government and run voluntarily by an NGO…

The Association of Friends of Astronomy.

In the initial years of formation the Members of AFA concentrated on stabilizing the organization by acquiring telescopes, instruments and infrastructure for the observatory; a modest beginning was also made in starting a library by getting astronomy and science books and subscribing for different magazines. Different activities like school programmes, lectures, study tours, exhibitions, workshops, star parties, competitions,quizzes, photography outings were started and are still being sustained by the present members.




A glimpse of the regular activities

Observations through Celestron 14" telescope

Public Exhibitions

Public Observations - Footpath & Beach Astronomy

Study Tours & Observation Expeditions

Lectures & Talks on Scientific Issues

Star Parties & Astrophotography

And that's just the tip of the iceberg, we as members of the organisation involve ourselves into

diverse activities and share the knowledge with our friends making us one of the most happening and 'as busy as a beehive' organisation.

The Panaji observatory is situated atop the Junta House on the famed 18th June Road. We are open from 14th November to the 31st of May. Pay us a visit between 7-9 pm and open up yourself to the world of stars!