Signs: New Comet Serpens/Virgo & Another Near Perseus

[Theo]

In judicial astrology, the sightings of comets, and their positions near constellations form a strong part of classical astrology. This year, it appears that a new comet is making news as reported last September ~

"Comet Loneos (C/2007 F1) was discovered back in March of this year and will be best viewed at the end of October. It is currently at magnitude 8.7, which is about 2 magnitudes brighter than what was predicted for this time. At this rate, Comet Loneos could reach a magnitude 3 by late October, which will make it easily visible to the naked eye. Remember that a low magnitude numbers are brighter than high magnitude numbers.

To view Comet Loneos right now, you would need to wake up early and scan above the east northeastern horizon with a pair of binoculars or a telescope before sunrise. In early-mid October, it will reappear in the evening sky, setting just after the sun does. From then on, it will grow a little bit brighter each day. It reaches maximum brightness on October 28, where it will be visible low in the west between the constellations Virgo and Serpens. Not much else is known about Comet Loneos."

The comet comes at a time when Venus and Saturn are transiting near the star Regulus, along with the Moon's southern node, or the Dragon's Tail. The constellation Serpens has religious overtones, as does the constellation Virgo.

Comet 17P/Holmes is transiting near the constellation Perseus. On October 24, the comet shocked skywatchers as it went from a dim 17th magnitude then suddenly to 3 magnitude ~ shining brightly. This comet can be seen transiting the thigh of Perseus. See skymap ~

http://www.spaceweather.com/images2007/24oct07/skymap_north_holmes.gif?PHPSESSID=g6a00jeaducmef1m6ipq093954

Considering the recent celestial activities since August worldwide, it would be wise for astrologers to take careful note of the transits from now on and into 2008.

As the Dragon's Head & Tail transit through the remainder of the Pisces/Virgo axis, and considering the position of Saturn, and the coming ingresses in mid-December, careful observations of objects like this comet should be taken, and events watched as they develop.

We could be in for eventful world news now over the next several months. Stay tuned...

The most recent film of Comet Loneos ~ http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2007/13oct07/Filipe-Alves-loneoss_1192162610.gif

Photos of Comet 17P/Holmes transiting near the constellation Perseus ~

http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/gallery_holmes.html?PHPSESSID=g6a00jeaducmef1m6ipq093954
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Theo

[Theo]

Keith Geary, from Shercock, Co.Cavan, Ireland, writes about a new comet that appeared "nova-like" in the constellation Perseus on Oct. 24, 2007 ~

"Wow!!!!! This is the single most strangest comet I have ever seen in my Life, earlier today, an alert went out that this comet had suddenly brighened from a predicted magnitude 17 to magnitude 3 - incredible, I wonder how this has happened? I quickly set up my 15x70mm binoculars and I easily found it in the constellation Perseus, just about 5 degrees from Alpha Persei at magnitude 1.8, also the star Delta Persei is at magnitude 3.0, from these two stars, I can see the comet at about magnitude 2.5 !!!!! I could immediately see that it is very much yellow in colour, just like the planet Saturn, and it is definitely non star like, with a slighty elongated shape east-west, with no sign of a tail, especially since the near full moon is shining brightly. This can easily be mistaken for a nova, and is easily visible with the naked eye ! Here is a quick shot that I took.....this will grab many headlines over the next few days..."


http://spaceweather.com/swpod2007/24oct07/Ernesto-Guido-&-Giovanni-Sostero1.jpg
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Theo

[Theo]

Comet Draws Scientific, Amateur Interest
November 2, 2007

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A comet that has unexpectedly brightened in the past couple of weeks and now is visible to the naked eye is attracting professional and amateur interest.

Paul Lewis, director of astronomy outreach at the University of Tennessee, is drawing students to the roof of Nielsen Physics Building for special viewings of Comet 17P/Holmes.

The comet is exploding and its coma, a cloud of gas and dust illuminated by the sun, has grown to be bigger than the planet Jupiter. The comet lacks the tail usually associated with such celestial bodies but can be seen in the northern sky, in the constellation Perseus, as a fuzzy spot of light about as bright as the stars in the Big Dipper.

"This is truly a celestial surprise," Lewis said. "Absolutely amazing."

See ~ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071102/ap_on_sc/brighter_comet
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Theo