SLU Physics - Observing Comet Ikeya-Zhang (C/2002 C1)



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Observing Comet Ikeya-Zhang
Updated: 6 May, 2002

Comet Ikeya-Zhang (C/2002 C₁) was discovered February 1^st 2002 by Kaoru Ikeya of Japan, and Daquing Zhang of China. Currently the comet is decreasing in brightness, so a pair of binoculars are necessary to view the comet.

The links in the table at the bottom of this page contain star charts for the next few weeks, as viewed from Canton, NY. The easiest way to find the comet is to locate the North Star (Polaris) and the bright star Vega in the constellation of Lyra. The comet is located just above a line connecting these two stars; sweep the sky nearby with a pair of binoculars. The comet will appear as a faint, fuzzy patch; its tail is no longer visible.

In addition, charts showing the position of the International Space Station (when visible) and the planets visible around sunset have also been provided.

See the following pages for pictures and more information about Comet Ikeya-Zhang:

Sky & Telescope's comet page
Is Comet Ikeya-Zhang at its brightest?
Comet Observation Home Page
Astronomy Magazine's Hobby News
Gary W. Kronk's Comets and Meteor Showers page
The Astronomy Picture of the Day: 21 February – 7 March – 18 March – 26 March.

Date Time (EDT) Star Charts ^* Planets Visible ^*

25 March, 2002 8:00 pm EST Comet Ikeya-Zhang —

1 April, 2002 8:00 pm EST Comet Ikeya-Zhang —

8 April, 2002 9:00 pm Comet Ikeya-Zhang —

10 April, 2002 9:05 pm Comet Ikeya-Zhang and International Space Station Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter

12 April, 2002 8:44 pm Comet Ikeya-Zhang and ISS:
ISS Rising — ISS Setting —

15 April, 2002 9:00 pm 3 Charts for tonight:
Comet Ikeya-Zhang

ISS Rising

ISS Setting
Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter

16 April, 2002 9:00 pm
Comet Ikeya-Zhang

ISS 9:39 pm
—

22 April, 2002 9:30 pm Comet Ikeya-Zhang Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter Chart time 8:30 pm EDT

24 April, 2002 10:00 pm Comet Ikeya-Zhang:

10:00 pm
Midnight
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter Chart time 8:30 pm EDT

29 April, 2002 10:00 pm Comet Ikeya-Zhang Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter Chart time 8:45 pm EDT

5 May , 2002 10:00 pm Comet Ikeya-Zhang Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter Chart time 8:45 pm EDT

^*All star charts are jpeg images created with Starry Night Backyard 3.1

Return To Astronomy Links

Date	Time (EDT)	Star Charts ^*	Planets Visible ^*
25 March, 2002	8:00 pm EST	Comet Ikeya-Zhang	—
1 April, 2002	8:00 pm EST	Comet Ikeya-Zhang	—
8 April, 2002	9:00 pm	Comet Ikeya-Zhang	—
10 April, 2002	9:05 pm	Comet Ikeya-Zhang and International Space Station	Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter
12 April, 2002	8:44 pm	Comet Ikeya-Zhang and ISS: ISS Rising — ISS Setting	—
15 April, 2002	9:00 pm	3 Charts for tonight: Comet Ikeya-Zhang ISS Rising ISS Setting	Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter
16 April, 2002	9:00 pm	Comet Ikeya-Zhang ISS 9:39 pm	—
22 April, 2002	9:30 pm	Comet Ikeya-Zhang	Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter Chart time 8:30 pm EDT
24 April, 2002	10:00 pm	Comet Ikeya-Zhang: 10:00 pm Midnight	Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter Chart time 8:30 pm EDT
29 April, 2002	10:00 pm	Comet Ikeya-Zhang	Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter Chart time 8:45 pm EDT
5 May , 2002	10:00 pm	Comet Ikeya-Zhang	Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter Chart time 8:45 pm EDT


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