Finding Comet Ison

Comet ISON is becoming more and more visible to the amateur astronomer this month. From the UK though it means an early start as it doesn't rise until around 0230 (this weekend). On the plus side however, given clear skies it is easy to locate, if not actually spot, as we have a couple of celestial pointers. Around 0400 it should be high enough to be out of the 'murk'. Look for the constellation of Leo, The Lion, and find Regulus, the bright reddish star to the bottom right. Mars should be visible below and to the left, shining at around magnitude 1.7. Follow a line down to the left, about a third of the distance again between Regulus and Mars, and ISON should be there, Visible in a scope of around 6" diameter. If you do astrophotography the best way to image it would be through a shortish image at a high ISO. say 30 seconds at ISO 1600. Remember though, if you scope is tracking normally, the stars will come out sharp, but ISON may be blurred. That is because the comet is itself moving against the background of stars. The image above shows where ISON can be found in the early hours of Monday 21st October, from the North of the UK.