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A GREAT COMET BEFORE SUNRISE OVER MAGHERA!

This is my second observation of great comet C/2006 P1 Mc Naught during morning twilight on Jan 19th 2007 at 08.00 UT. The comet rose above the low eastern horizon along with the rosy glow of the approaching sun. It was easily visible to the naked eye complete with tail hanging above a distant telegraph post. This sketch shows the view in 10X50mm binoculars with a 1 degree long white dust tail pointing at a shallow angle to the NE with the 'shadow of the nucleus' feature splitting the dust tail in two. I only had it in view for 5 min's before clouds rolled in but what a view it was! I will never forget it!

Mag: -1.7 Dia: 3' D.C: 9 and only 13 degrees from the sun.