Sedona, AZ: Evening Sky Tours is preparing to welcome Comet Hartley to the observation list for nearly one month beginning on September 27.  The short period comet, 6.5 years, will pass within 11 million miles of the Earth on October 20, which is only eight days before coming to perihelion (closest approach to the sun) on October 28.

“We will be observing Comet Hartley every night beginning on September 27.  Our guests will see an unparalleled view of the comet through our large telescopes and under the guidance of our professional astronomers,” said Clifford Ochser, Founder of Evening Sky Tours LLC, based in Sedona.

In 2007 Comet Holmes entered the solar system as a modest comet but quickly began shedding material from its core as it got closer to the sun.  

“All of a sudden Holmes got gigantic in our telescope eyepieces.  It was a beautiful object of colors and rainbows for weeks.  The Comet changed complexion overnight and we had the largest visible object in our solar system.  It was amazing.” Ochser recalls the 2007 pass of Comet Holmes.  

“As comets get closer to the sun you never know what’s going to happen as they heat up and shed material.”

There is a planned flyby of Comet Hartley by the Deep Impact spacecraft with a closest approach of 700 kilometers on November 4.  This is part of the EPOXI mission.

Evening Sky Tours will be featuring Comet Hartley on its tours from September 27 through October 20.  In addition, guests will enjoy gorgeous views of Jupiter, Andromeda Galaxy, Star Clusters and many other celestial objects.  Chairs and blankets are always provided.  The tours start at 8 p.m., and last about 1 ½ hours.

For more information about Evening Sky Tours call 928-203-0006 or visit www.eveningskytours.com.

Article courtesy of Clifford Ochser, Evening Sky Tours, LLC.

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of NASA, D.I. Rawlings.