Thrilling experience of observing comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS)

Comets are guests who come to meet the Sun from the edge of the solar system- from Oort cloud region. Currently, the comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) has come to meet the Sun after only around 1,70,000 years! Thanks to observations, science and mathematics, we can determine this period! Comets always appear in the solar system. But rarely we can observe comets through a small telescope or binoculars. This is one of them.

Since last some days, this comet is brightening. Comets are made up from frozen gases and dust particles. When they come near the Sun, due to solar heat, these frozen gases are released in form of a tail and the comet gets brightened. This comet will return after passing near the Sun. For next few days, it will be brightened, but from our position of observation, it will appear closer to the Sun and so will be difficult to observe. Since many days, this comet is within the range of small telescopes and binoculars. I tried two times to observe it. I attempted with my set up at 5 am twice. But city light pollution obstructed it. Finally today morning I could observe this comet from Anjanvel agro tourism, near Lonavala and caught it before it lost in glare of the Sun! It was easily observable at the given sky location. I could easily observe it through my 15 X 70 binoculars and 4.5 inch reflector telescope. It looked just like a globular cluster or Andromeda galaxy! A blurry patch! In photo, its green colour was revealed.
 

 

Along with the comet, glorious milky way band, Pleiades cluster, Omega centauri cluster, Hercules cluster and other photos are available here.

Anjanvel agro tourism has beautiful sky, free from light pollution and located at a serene place in mountains! Even our eyes revealed plenty of stars! I saw many clusters through the telescope and binoculars! First hour of the night belonged to bright Venus. Beautiful Pleiades cluster now receding towards the horizon! I could capture beautiful photos. Then Jupiter and its moons, Beehive cluster, Orion Nebula and other objects were there. Anjanvel sky during the day is also so beautiful- blue colour worth enjoying! In the night, one just has too many objects to see. I observed and also captured many objects. When I was still observing, the Leo constellation also reclined towards West! Scorpios arose and Omega centaury! I also observed M81 galaxy in Ursa Major. Finally in order to be ready for the comet at dawn, I just went to sleep. The mobile continued capturing photos and then a beautiful time- lapse video of Milky way from Scorpios to Altar was obtained.

I woke up at 4:30 and took my set up to a place where Eastern horizon was clear. I kept my telescope and binoculars ready! And very easily, I could observe the comet! Right in the middle of the famous Pegasus constellation, it is shining! No difficulty as light pollution was low. It was not observable to the naked eyes, thought! It clearly emerged in exposure photos taken from mobile and it was clear in the telescope! 

For further three- four days it can be observed away from city lights just before Sunrise. It is brightening, but it will be also close to the Sun and so will be tricky. When the comet stars its return journey after passing the Sun, it will emerge in the evening sky and it will be brighter also. But then Southern hemisphere has better chances. So coming two days are the best window to observe it! For that you need clear dark sky without lights and some binocular. Through a smartphone, by using proper technique, it can be photographed also.

Thanks for reading. Articles about trekking, sky watching, scientific experiments, meditation, fitness, cycling etc. are available on my blog. -Niranjan Welankar. 09422108376. Date of writing- 14 April 2026.

*धूमकेतू C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) बघण्याचा अनुभव*

सूर्यमालेच्या काठावरून म्हणजे उर्ट मेघ क्षेत्रातून (Oort cloud region) सूर्याला भेटायला येणारे पाहुणे म्हणजे धूमकेतूू! सध्या सूर्याला भेटायला आलेला हा पाहुणा म्हणजे धूमकेतू सी/ 2025 आर3 (पॅनस्टार्स) तब्बल एक लाख सत्तर हजार वर्षांनी भेटायला आला आहे. हा अवधी सांगता येणं ही, निरीक्षण, विज्ञान आणि गणिताची कमाल. सूर्यमालेत धूमकेतू येत असतातच. पण छोट्या टेलिस्कोप किंवा बायनॅक्युलरने बघता येतील असे धूमकेतूू दुर्मिळ असतात. त्यातला हा एक.

हा धूमकेतू गेले काही दिवस हळु हळु तेजस्वी होतो आहे. धूमकेतूू गोठलेले वायू आणि धुलीकणांपासून बनलेले असतात. धूमकेतूू जेव्हा सूर्याजवळ येतो, तेव्हा सूर्याच्या उष्णतेमुळे हे गोठलेले वायू वितळतात आणि धूमकेतूूला शेपटी येते आणि त्याची तेजस्वीताही वाढते. हा धूमकेतूू आता सूर्याच्या जवळ जाऊन परत फिरणार आहे. त्यामुळे पुढचे काही‌ दिवस तो अधिक तेजस्वी होईल पण आपल्याकडून बघताना सूर्याच्या जवळ दिसेल आणि म्हणून बघायला कठिणही होईल. हा धूमकेतूू छोट्या टेलिस्कोप व बायनॅक्युलरच्या "कक्षेत" येऊन बरेच दिवस झाले होते. तो बघण्याचा प्रयत्न दोन वेळेस केला. पहाटे पाचला दुर्बीण आणि बायनॅक्युलरने त्याला बघण्याचा प्रयत्न केला. पण शहरातल्या प्रकाश प्रदूषणामुळे तो दिसलाच नाही! धूमकेतूू सूर्याच्या आणखी जवळ जाऊन सूर्याच्या तेजामुळे दिसेनासा होण्याच्या आधी आज पहाटे मावळमधल्या अंजनवेलला अखेर हा धूमकेतूू बघता आला! नकाशात दिलेल्या जागी लगेचच सापडला. १५ X ७० बायनॅक्युलर आणि साडेचार इंची रिफ्लेक्टर दुर्बिणीतून सहज दिसला. बंदिस्त तारकागुच्छ किंवा देवयानी आकाशगंगेसारखा ठिपका! फोटोमध्ये त्याचा हिरवा रंगही स्पष्ट आला.

(धूमकेतूूसह काल रात्री व आज पहाटे घेतलेले विलोभनीय आकाशगंगेचा पट्टा, कृत्तिका तारकागुच्छ, ओमेगा सेंटारी तारकागुच्छ, हर्क्युलसमधला तारकागुच्छ व इतर फोटोज इथे बघता येतील. *पुण्याजवळ मुलांचं एक शिबिर ठरलं आहे.*)

अंजनवेलच्या प्रकाश प्रदूषणापासून दूर आणि निसर्गरम्य जागेतून रात्री खूप सुंदर आकाश बघता आलं. नुसत्या डोळ्यांनी खूप जास्त तारे दिसले! दुर्बीण आणि बायनॅक्युलरमधून अनेक तारकागुच्छ दिसले. अंधार पडल्या पडल्या शुक्राने पहिला तास गाजवला. एप्रिलमध्ये मावळतीकडे कललेल्या सप्त मातृका म्हणजे कृत्तिकांचा सुंदर फोटो घेता आला. नंतर गुरूचे उपग्रह, पुष्य तारकागुच्छ अर्थात् बीहाईव्ह क्लस्टर, मृगातला तेजोमेघ आणि इतरांची मैफिल सुरू झाली. अंजनवेलचं आकाश इतकं नितळ की दिवसाचा निळा रंगही लोभस दिसतो! रात्री तर काय काय बघू असा प्रश्न पडतो. मनसोक्त निरीक्षण केलं आणि भरपूर फोटो काढले. बघता बघता माथ्यावर असलेली सिंह रास पश्चिमेला कलली! अनुराधा उगवल्या आणि ओमेगा सेंटॉरी तारकागुच्छही वर आला. सप्तर्षीतली आकाशगंगा M81 सुद्धा दिसली. अखेर पहाटे साडेचारला धूमकेतूूसाठी तयार राहायचं ठरवून पहुडलो. मोबाईलचं फोटो घेण्याचं काम सुरूच राहिलं आणि त्यातून नंतर वृश्चिक ते श्रवण असा आकाशगंगेच्या पट्ट्याचा सुंदर टाईमलॅप्स मिळाला.

पहाटे साडेचारला उठून पूर्व क्षितिज नीट दिसेल अशा जागी दुर्बीण नेली. मोबाईल आणि बायनॅक्युलर तयार ठेवले. आणि अगदी सहज धूमकेतूू सापडला! पूर्व भाद्रपदा नक्षत्र अर्थात् महाश्वच्या मध्यभागी अपेक्षित जागी बघितल्या बघितल्या सापडला. प्रकाश प्रदूषण अगदी कमी असल्यामुळे तो बघण्यामध्ये अडथळा नव्हता. डोळ्यांनी मात्र दिसला नाही. पण मोबाईलच्या एक्स्पोजर फोटोग्राफीमध्ये उमटला आणि टेलिस्कोपमधून स्पष्ट दिसला! 

पुढचे तीन- चार दिवस हा धूमकेतूू शहराच्या बाहेरून पहाटे सूर्योदयाच्या थोडं आधी बघता येऊ शकेल. तो तेजस्वी होईल पण सूर्याच्या जवळ असल्यामुळे बघायला कठिण असेल. आणि धूमकेतूू सूर्याचं दर्शन घेऊन पुढच्या आठवड्यात परत फिरेल तेव्हा तो संध्याकाळच्या आकाशात येईल खरा आणि तेव्हाही तो तेजस्वी असेल. पण तेव्हा दक्षिण गोलार्धातून तो जास्त चांगला दिसू शकेल. त्यामुळे त्याला बघण्याची सर्वोत्तम संधी पुढचे दोन दिवस हीच आहे. अर्थात् त्यासाठी जवळ कोणतंही शहर नसलेलं अंधारं आकाश आणि एखादा बायनॅक्युलर लागेल. आणि स्मार्टफोनमधून योग्य पद्धतीने त्याचा फोटोसुद्धा घेता येऊ शकेल.

वाचल्याबद्दल धन्यवाद. माझ्या ब्लॉगवर ट्रेकिंग, आकाश दर्शन, विज्ञान प्रयोग, ध्यान, फिटनेस, सायकलिंग इ. बद्दलचे लेख उपलब्ध. -निरंजन वेलणकर 09422108376. लिहीण्याचा दिनांक- 14 एप्रिल 2026. 

Sky watching experience with children at Sankeshwar

Hello. Dr. Smruti Hawal’s Supanth Manch and Astromaitri, Sankeshwar had recently organized an overnight sky watching programme for children and elders at Sankeshwar. I and my friend Gireesh were fortunate to participate in it and conduct the sky watching part. Through this, I am sharing my experience. I had known Dr. Smruti Tai as very active and enthusiast person, some one who loves books and learning. She had planned this programme last year also, but due to cloudy conditions, we had to postpone it. This time also, we had worries due to cloudy conditions. Clouds did interrupt and took some joy away. But they were kind also and we could observe some of the main objects! 

Dr. Smruti Tai had chosen a perfect place, their farm house near Sankeshwar. This farmhouse with plenty of flowers, lush green fields, huge old well, peaceful nature and peacocks offered an excellent place with clear view from all directions. Had it been clear, it would have been a most memorable night. But it was not to be. Initially, we had started to think that it was going to be washed out! It did rain also. But the sky was kind and suddenly out of nowhere, we could see the Sun, the star near us. Suddenly, the sky was clear! Through Gireesh’ 8 inch Dobsonian telescope, we could observe the sunspots and orange disk of the Sun. Of course, we used a proper filter. Children could see the tiny black dot- the sunspot, area of faint flares on the surface of the Sun. Though the sunspots look like dots, they are bigger than our earth! Dr. Smruti Tai thanked the Sun and the nature in gratitude!

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 5: Sky watching from Munsyari

✪  Interactions with a visually impaired singer
✪  Ursa Major, Arcturus and Pancha- Chuli peaks!
✪  Glorious night sky and star trails!
✪  Finally could capture the Moon- rise
✪  Joy of starry sky with the Milky way
✪  Warmth of tea in a dangerous cold climate!

Got up at 4 am on the dawn of 7th December. Extremely cold weather in Munsyari! But was too eager to watch the sky! Gathered some courage and came out of the room. Oh! What a sight this is! Ursa Major is up and so above the horizon! Of course, its reason being North position of Munsyari. Even yesterday night Cassiopeia constellation was also quite up. In the dawn, bright Jupiter, Regulus, Castor and Pollux, Sirius, Arcturus and Spica are shining! Many artificial satellites are also visible. Slowly the day is breaking. Observing through the telescope is very difficult. Removing the lid on the telescope was difficult! Fingers are getting numb. Observed through the telescope for some time. In the East, there is one bright star. It cannot be Venus. There is no such a bright star near Libra. Surely, it is Mercury. Observed it for half an hour!

 

Moonrise video- Moon rising from behind Pancha Chuli peaks
 

8 hour time-lapse video from Cassiopeia to Ursa Major

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 3: Satgarh- A dream village in Himalaya!

✪  Sky watching in severe cold weather
✪  Farms on slope, small houses and distant villages obscured by fog!
✪  Trekking in serene nature
✪  Saffron snow- peaks in the evening
✪  "Watch, the tiger is standing there!"

Satgarh! Woke up at 4:30 am on 5th December. So severe cold outside! Sky watching from the terrace is next to impossible! It is almost trying to settle on a Perth pitch. But the sky is so mesmerizing! So the sky defied the cold weather. Although the Moon is shining brilliantly, it is now low in the West. There is bright Jupiter near the Moon. Sirius is low towards South. In the East, there are many stars. The Ursa Major are rising high in the sky! The Leo constellation is clear. I set the mobile for astrophotography. Hands are shaking. But oh beauty! What a blissful dawn! Slowly the birds started chirping!

Experiencing Kumaon Himalaya 2: Trekking in Pithauragarh

The morning of 3rd December! Yesterday I had to spend the night in the open at the bus stop. The bus had left at around 3 am. The ghat- journey at the dawn! The night was so long, I was wondering when will it last! But surprisingly the night was quickly over like a timelapse! When the bus stopped at Champawat for tea, it was twilight. Mountain ranges everywhere! Spiral roads! Sparse houses in the mountains and farming on the slopes! This road comes under Hirak project of "BRO". Then Lohaghat, Gurna and Pithauragarh! The road was not closed anywhere and there was not much traffic also. Reached Pithauragarh at 8:30 am.  

(Here you can listen this article.)

Relatives coming for the marriage are supposed to stay at one hotel. But this Pithauragarh! A city at around 1600 meter elevation. Snow- capped mountains are visible in the distance! I started my walk with the gentle sunshine. Asked directions to some boys and they showed me the short cut path- the walkway! Pahari people are very genuine. Had a wonderful small walk with them. Then met relatives from the side of my wife. It was a good meeting and dialogue. Later on I took ample rest. 

As it is December, the Sun sets here quite early! It is dark after 5:30 pm. The afternoon is not that cold, but the evening is very cold. I observed the night sky from the hotel terrace. There are plenty of city lights and also the Moon is almost full. So for clear sky, I need to wait a bit.

Thrill of observing Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)

Great exhibition of Nature in Anjanvel!
✪ Currently two comets can be observed through a small telescope
✪ Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)- A guest arrived after 1396 years!
✪ Finally the sky is clear and how!
✪ Cloud, rain and then rain of dew in Ajnanvel
✪ Roar of water stream in silent night, clear sky and stars a plenty
✪ Mountains relaxing under the blanket of fog
✪ Blooming of glorious flowers and Sahyadri's magic
✪ Comet observation session and winter camps for children in Anjanvel, Maval

Hello. Currently, two comets can be observed through a small telescope: C/2025 R2 (SWAN) and C/2025 A6 (Lemmon). C/2025 R2 (SWAN) was found accidentally when it had come near the Sun. Now the sky is mostly clear as the monsoon is almost over.  These two comets can also be observed from city if the sky conditions are good. But my best and affectionate location for sky watching is Anjanvel near Lonavala! Yesterday I went there with my friend Gireesh Mandhale. We had taken two telescopes and one binacular with us. On the route, we witnessed some colossal mountain ranges of Sahyadri! Wonderful landscape near Hadashi lake. But there are clouds. And later on its is actually raining! Tikona fort is hidden behind the clouds! How about the sky watching, the question arises. 
 

Lunar eclipse experience: Interplay of shadows!

Hello! Yesterday’s lunar eclipse was memorable! The night began with clouds and rains. Initially it was the shadows of clouds! We were ready with two telescopes and a binocular. When the Moon entered the penumbra, the eclipse began. But the Sun is so bright that even after being partially covered, lowering of brightness of the Moon is negligible. But later when the Moon entered the umbra (when the Sun was completely obstructed by the Earth), then the edge of the Moon got darkened. Still clouds continued. Just for a few seconds they would give an opening and the Moon would become visible. Its eclipse was clearly visible. From the Full Moon, it gradually became a crescent! And as more and more area of the Moon came inside the umbra, it became reddish! It was a treat to watch it! 

As far as photos are concerned, due to clouds, I could not take great photos. My friend- Gireesh Mandhale took great photos through his 8 inch telescope. They can be seen here.

 

Wonderful experience of watching the Space station and glorious night sky!

Hello. Last Saturday on 8th March, me and my friend Gireesh Mandhale conducted a sky watching programme at Anjanvel Agro Tourism near Lonavala. We had excellent skies with wonderful stars! On the women’s day, everyone was thrilled to see the Space station with Sunita Williams onboard! Also, crescent Venus, movements of moons of Jupiter, plenty of craters on the Moon, clusters in the dawn, white Milky way band, the morning trek, meditation and last but not the least, the Sun- spots! Overall it was so much of joy and satisfaction. Sharing its experience with you.

लातूरच्या पानगांवमध्ये आकाश दर्शन व विद्यार्थ्यांसोबत संवाद

विज्ञान प्रसाराची "सुदिशा"

नमस्कार. काल 28 फेब्रुवारी रोजी विज्ञान दिनानिमित्त सुधाकरराव कुलकर्णी स्मृती प्रतिष्ठान व मराठी विज्ञान परिषदेच्या पानगांव जि. लातूर शाखेद्वारे आयोजित कार्यक्रमामध्ये मुलांसाठी व मोठ्यांसाठी आकाश दर्शन सत्र घेण्याची संधी मिळाली. लातूरचे खगोलशास्त्रज्ञ श्री. राजकुमार गव्हाणे सरांमुळे हा सहभाग घेता आला. आकाशात आपण तारे वर्तमानात जरी बघत असलो तरी त्यांचा प्रकाश भूतकाळातला असतो, तशी प्रतिष्ठानच्या प्रा. डॉ. संतोष कुलकर्णी सरांसोबतच्या जुन्या नात्याची नव्याने ओळख झाली! माझं गाव परभणी, त्यामुळे लातूर तसं जवळचंच! लातूरमधल्या मित्रांच्या, स्नेही जनांच्या व आधीच्या लातूरला केलेल्या सायकल प्रवासाच्या आठवणीही ताज्या झाल्या.

कुलकर्णी सरांसोबत लातूरहून निघालो तेव्हा सरांनी सावध केलं की, पानगांवचा रस्ता इतका सोपा नसणार! आणि आकाशात अमावस्येमुळे चंद्र जरी दिसणार नसला तरी रस्त्यावरचे खड्डे चंद्रावरच्या विवरांची उणीव जाणवू देणार नाहीत! महाराष्ट्रातले जे अनेक रस्ते दुर्गम मनाली- लेह रस्त्याशी स्पर्धा करू शकतात, त्यात हाही रस्ता नक्कीच असेल! ह्या रस्त्यावरून प्रवास करणं म्हणजे संयमाची‌ कसोटी आणि ध्यानाचा धडा! चंद्रावरच्या विवरांना चुकवत व गुरूत्वाकर्षणासोबत घसरगुंडी करत जावं लागलं! पण सरांसोबतच्या गप्पांमुळे  प्रवास छान झाला. पानगांवमध्ये सुधाकरराव कुलकर्णी स्मृती प्रतिष्ठानचं केंद्र आहे. इथे मुलांसाठी "सुदिशा" म्हणजेच "सुट्टीच्या दिवशीची शाळा" हा उपक्रम राबवला जातो. आणि मराठी विज्ञान परिषदेच्या शाखेच्या स्वरूपात विज्ञान प्रसाराचं कामही केलं जातं. इथे सरांची खूप स्वप्नं साकार करण्याची धडपड सुरू आहे.

आकाश दर्शनाची सुरूवात दिवसा तारा बघून झाली! दिन में तारा दिखाने का मौका मिला! फिल्टर लावून सूर्य निरीक्षण. सूर्याचे 99.99% प्रकाश किरण शोषल्यानंतर सूर्य संत्र्यासारखा लालसर व सौम्य दिसतो. जणू "मार्तंड जे तापहिन!" अशा सूर्याचं व त्यावरच्या डागाचं निरीक्षण बाल तारे- तारकांनी केलं. हे डाग म्हणजे सूर्यावरच्या ज्वाळाच आहेत. पण इतर ज्वाळांपेक्षा कमी प्रकाशित असल्यामुळे काळसर भासतात. आणि दिसताना बिंदुवत दिसत असले तरी हे डाग पृथ्वीपेक्षाही मोठे असतात!

आकाशात चंद्राची व शनिची उणीव जाणवणार होती. त्यामुळे चंद्र व शनिचे माझ्या दुर्बिणीने घेतलेले फोटोज व व्हिडिओज दाखवले. चंद्र व शनिचं पिधान- चंद्रामुळे झाकला जाणारा शनिही पॉवर पॉईंटच्या मदतीने दाखवला. तसंच 2020 मध्ये झालेली शनि- गुरूची युतीही दाखवली. आकाशगंगेचा पट्टा कसा दिसतो हेही मुलांना सांगितलं. ह्यावेळी विद्यार्थ्यांसोबत संवाद करता आला. विद्यार्थ्यांनी स्वत:चा परिचय करून दिला. त्यांना आकाशात काय बघायचं आहे, हे सांगितलं.

Festival of light in the sky!

Sky watching event in Anjanvel near Lonavala!

✪ Finally the comet is seen!
✪ Star show in a dark night sky
✪ Thrill to watch a shadow on Jupiter surface caused by its moon
✪ Rain of stars in the sky
✪ Wonderful landscape in the mountains
✪ Bedsa caves- two thousand years back!
✪ Anjanvel- the week-end spent well!

Hello. Recently we could experience the light festival in the sky. We could enjoy sky watching in a serene campus of Anjanvel agro tourism near Lonavala, Maharashtra, located amid wonderful mountains and forts. We could also share this joy of sky watching with others. Hereby I wish to share the experience with you. After many cloudy nights, me and my friend Gireesh Mandhale reached Anjanvel farm house. Glorious mountains and wonderful terrain! Crystal clear blue sky is assuring us that sky watching would be excellent here! We reached when it was getting dark. Venus is already shining in the west. In a hurry we set up the telescopes and prepared ourselves for the comet! Slowly faint stars appeared in the sky. As the darkness grew, small stars started shining! And yes, here is the comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan- ATLAS) at its expected position! With a large 8" aperture, a modest 4.5 " aperture telescope and a 15 X 70 binocular, it was clearly visible. As the eyes adjusted gradually, its tail is also visible. It was not visible to the naked eyes.

Saturn to be occulted by Moon tonight on 14th October 2024!

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) easily visible in the evening

 
✪ Wonderful opportunity to witness Saturn- Moon occultation
✪ Saturn suddenly will disappear behind dark part of the Moon and will reappear from behind its lighted part!
✪ In Maharashtra, the timing is around 11.45 pm to 1.40 am
✪ Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is visible in evening near Venus
✪ Need dark skies and clear view of West of the comet
✪ Comet can be photographed with smartphone pro mode
✪ Both are wonderful events to experience
✪ Season of sky watching started!

Hello all.

Greetings. Tonight we have opportunity to witness and enjoy two sky wonders. The first is the Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). This comet has now become visible in the Evening sky. For next few days, from around 14th October to 19th October, it will appear in the Western sky near the brightest planet Venus. Best chance of observing this comet is coming 10 days. In ideal sky watching conditions- away from city lights, it will be visible to the naked eye as a small smudge. With binoculars and small telescope, it will be more clear. You can track its daily sky position on astronomical app such as stellerium. It can be photographed also by using a smartphone. For this, you need to use the pro- mode. Set the shutter speed to 4 seconds or 8 seconds. Set the ISO to 800 or 1600, depending on how dark sky you have. Set the focus to infinity. Have some support for mobile and keep it tilt towards west. Then set the timer to 5 seconds. You need to keep the mobile steady for some time (timer seconds + shutter speed duration). Then you can photograph it. After some attempts this comet can be photographed.

Thrilling experience of spotting comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)!

✪Thrilling experience of spotting it through my telescope

✪ Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is visible through binoculars
✪ Need dark skies and precise sky- location of the comet
✪ Its position changes rapidly
✪ Will be brightest around 1st  February

Hello all. Some of you may be knowing that one comet- C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is visible these days. It is not bright enough to be seen only through eyes as of 24th January. But it is visible through binoculars or a small telescope. What you need is a location with dark sky. That means a place at least 20 kms away from any city lights. You also need a detailed sky mapping app like Sky safari along with proper sky orientation and knowledge of major constellations. But just these would not be sufficient. You would also need some practice of watching sky objects, particularly dim objects.

Sky watching session with kids and elders!

✪ International space station like a bright moving star!
✪ Saturn rings, Jupiter moons and orange Mars
✪ Beautiful Pleiades cluster- A scene of 400 years ago
✪ Moon craters and surface features
✪ Vast universe thrashes egoistic delusion
✪ Wonders to be watched just through eyes
✪ Zestful parents and energetic kids

Hello. Currently conditions are best for sky watching. Except for a few passing clouds, we can enjoy beautiful sky in the night. I got opportunity to show kids and elders the wonders of sky on the eve of 8th December when Ayurveda Vyaspeeth, Parbhani arranged a sky watching session. For this, first of all I thank Dr. Kanhe madam, Dr. Sandeep Chavan sir and their team, the organizers, the kids and also their parents. Here I would like to share which wonders we did enjoy and what fun we had. Recently I had taken such sessions for three consecutive days in Aurangabad, but the sky was not this clear there. On 8th December, the sky was so clear.

When some kids were still to come, we observed an interesting object. From north, a bright artificial satellite was visible. It was as bright as Jupiter and it was slowly moving towards East. It was visible for five- six minutes and then it went to South- East side and got out of sight. When I saw its speed and brightness, I felt this must be International Space Station- ISS. On the next day, I checked its timing and visibility location and then it was confirmed! So the kids who had come on time could also see the space station!

We started telescopic observation from Saturn. Everyone could enjoy its rings! Then we saw Jupiter and its four moons. Also within short time, we could also experience change in positions of the moons. Mars was in opposition recently (i.e. Sun- Earth- Mars in one line) and therefore it is much closer to the earth- at around 7.5 crore kms. Its red disk was visible in the telescope. The most beautiful object was Krittika cluster- Pleiades M45. Kids counted number of stars there. This cluster is located around 400 light years from us. That means the light departed from the cluster reaches us after 400 years. The light that travels 3 lac kilometers in a second! That means the stars we observe there are actually from the year 1600!

While observing this so much vast distance and stars much greater than Sun- forget our earth- makes us speechless. It is something like meditation. We always have delusions about us like I am someone special, this or that. Or my sorrow is greatest in the world. But when we see this infinitely vast sky, these delusions fade away! After the Pleiades, we saw the most thrilling objects for many- the Moon. Initially we saw with 20 magnification and later on also 50 magnification. Anytime one sees it, it is just beautiful and everyone likes it!