Unusually Windy in Oulton Broad

The Wicked Witch of the East passing our bedroom window at 9.30 am this morning

Comet ISON C/2012 S1

From the United Kingdom, Comet ISON C/2012 S1 is now visible
 through large amateur telescopes in pre dawn skies

I'm getting very excited by the imminent arrival of the Comet ISON C/2012 S1. It is a one time only visitor to our Solar System, a member of the Kreutz Sungrazer family of comets travelling a paraboloidal path through the Universe.  It will reach perihelion, closest approach to the Sun, on the 28th November 2013, which happens to be my birthday.  If it survives its close encounter with the Sun it should reappear on the 29th of November in our skies as an evening object, hopefully sporting a wonderful tail.

My impression of what the Comet might look like in 
early evening and after the 28th of November, 
as viewed across the Waveney Marshes:

Comets are notoriously fickle and over the last year,expectations for this comet's apparent size and brightness have gone up and down more times than a tart's knickers.

I'm hoping that it puts on a magnificent display over the Christmas Season and remains visible in our skies well into the New Year.

Needless to say and weather permitting, I shall be hoping to image our celestial visitor and if I'm successful my photos will appear in a future Blog post.


















See my blog post
http://george-artcabinedujardin.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/first-light-comet-c2012-s1-ison.html

The weather in Suffolk does need to improve, lots of rain, too much wind and moonlight have prevented me getting out in the backyard with my scope.  I'm getting astronomical withdrawal symptoms!

For the best actual image of Comet ISON taken in October 2013 by Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona using a 32 inch reflecting telescope (ooh what a big one - scope envy!), follow the link:

http://skycenter.arizona.edu/gallery/SolarSystems/ison_10082013

Sky map looking East from the UK for the 10th November at 6.30 am.

Schematic view of the comet's orbit through the inner Solar System

Hubble Space Telescope Image of Comet ISON c/2012 S1
photograph taken on the 9th October 2013

Credits: Wikipedia, Kirkley John, NASA and SkyMap Pro for base map only.

The Fugitive

Hunted for a crime it didn't commit, bated for a disease it didn't spread and culled in the face of scientific objection.  Meles Meles is............ The Fugitive!

Coming soon from Lord Snooty and Pals......
Fox Hunting Returns!

Fall or Autumn

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

In autumn, I take the opportunity to tidy up my painting shed and Toot goes foraging  for nuts and berries.  I found a pastel sketch by our friend Rachel and Toot found blackberries, raspberries and sloes.  I tidied up the sketch using Photoshop and Toot made lots of lovely jam and chutney.

I like Autumn and these are a few of my favourite things:

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain’d

With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit

Beneath my shady roof; there thou may’st rest,

And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,

And all the daughters of the year shall dance!

Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

Credits: Robert Frost and William Blake

Outraged of Oulton Broad Part2

Painter Profile: Claude Monet