Comet 17P/ Holmes

Just as Comet LONEOS has sunk below the horizon we get another big surprise! Comet 17P/ Holmes has experienced a major outburst rising from magnitude 17 to 2.2 over a period of a few days. This is of the order of a million-fold increase in brightness - it is a clear naked eye object in the constellation of Perseus.

I took this picture, believed to be the first from Ireland on Wednesday evening in a very hazy sky...



Here's a shot from later Wednesday eveing when there were more clear patches in the sky...



I have other photos but none yet through the 'scope - hopefully I will have an opportunity tonight!