When you wish upon a star...

Comet Holmes seen in night sky for first time since 1962

By Ashley Hopkins, news editor
Posted on November 1, 2007

Students star gazed Tuesday night, meeting at the astronomy park behind the Physics and Chemistry building to watch as Comet Holmes, previously invisible to the naked eye, passed through the constellation Perseus.

Telescopes and binoculars were available at the star gaze, but they weren’t needed. Anyone wishing to see the astronomical occurrence just had to look up.

Holmes, a periodic comet first spotted by British astronomer Edwin Holmes in 1892, had brightened to a magnitude of four or five before fading several weeks after its discovery. Objects must have a magnitude of less than six to be seen with the naked eye.

Although it was briefly rediscovered in 1960, it had remained mostly unseen until a few weeks ago, according to William Alexander, an assistant professor in the physics department.  In late October the comet brightened from a magnitude of 17 to a magnitude of 2.8 within a few hours time, making itself visible for the first time in over 40 years.

“We can see the comet with our naked eye, right in the constellation,” Alexander said.  “It doesn’t happen too often that the sky changes and you can see it with your own eyes.”

Comet Holmes is unique for another reason as well. 

Comets usually get brighter as they get closer to the sun, but this isn’t the case in Holmes’s situation. Something must have either come in contact with it, or it must have exploded due to some sort of sinkhole, resulting in an increase in brightness, according to Alexander. He added that as scientists most likely would have known if something came in contact with the comet, the second hypothesis is more likely.

Most students who made it out to the Astronomy Park last night were impressed by what they saw.

“Ever since I signed up for astronomy I’ve been really interested in stars,” sophomore Rebecca Stapleton said.

Senior Chris Smarte also enjoyed the gaze, but was impressed for other reasons.

“I think it’s nice that it’s open to the community,” he said.  “You can get excited about the hands on education.”

For those who missed out Tuesday night, it’s not too late to see the comet.  It should be visible throughout the week.