Mount Yonah sunset and Comet PanSTARRS viewing & picnic

So this year is supposed to be an especially good one for naked eye comets...of course most years we get none, and this year, there is supposed to be two (or maybe even three).  They could be spectacular or disappointing...no one knows yet. But it's fun to look forward to them and plan to do some observing of these celestial wonders. And what better place to do so than from a scenic mountaintop.

The first comet to vist us is PanSTARRS.  It was initially forecast to be fairly bright and then seemed to dim but reports as of early March are once again for very impressive showing (although picture above is a not-so-slight slight exaggeration).  Either way, it's an another excuse to get back up to Yonah for a hike and sunset, and you know I always welcome those.  The comet is supposed to viewable somewhat low on the western horizon just after sunset.

This quote sums up why we should care: "astronomers forecast Comet PANSTARRS (formal designation C/2011 L4) will glow brighter than any comet in the past six years. And for those in the Northern Hemisphere, this could be the brightest easy-to-view comet since the 1990s."

Here are some good articles about PanSTARRS...this article has some basics about it. Comet ISON is really the one to look forward to later in the year...it could potentially make the photo above look tame by comparison, but we'll have to see..more info here.  And I like this article too. And there is also Comet Lemmon that could be visible in early April for those of us in GA.

On March 12, PanSTARRS is supposed to be about 8 degrees above the western horizon and we also will get the waning crescent moon (just 1%) to see if conditions are favorable.

This will be a social hike and not a fitness hike.  Expect a very slow pace on the way up..about 1 1/2 to 2mph while moving...and extra slow starting out for about the first 45 min or so.  We will keep the group together the entire time except for one steep extended section where everyone can go at their own pace.  

It's still 1500' of ascent, so even at a relaxed pace, you will get a bit of a workout.  You might wonder why we are starting over 4 hours before sunset if only 2 miles up...people always ask this, but there is a lot to see on side trails and such...plus just to soak in the views from the top.  Somehow it always works out just fine.

We will try to time it to be at the top about half hour before sunset and that is when we will have our picnic as well.  Everyone can bring something to share with the group..nothing fancy, but we have done these in the past and they are lots of fun.

Sunset is at 7:43PM.  The comet will hopefully become visible maybe 15 or 20 min after that and we will stay up there as long as we can see the comet..it sets at about 8:30 PM so ideally, we will head down at that time although probably before if we can't see it that well   I'll bring some binoculars and perhaps others will do the same. 

Be sure to dress warm and bring extra layers for standing around and waiting for the sunset and Panstarrs.  Here is the link to the forecast I use: Yonah Pointcast

Total distance is about 5 miles and total ascent is about 1500’. We will probably take the shortcut trail up and also skip the side trail to The Boulder.  We will just take our time getting up there but pretty much go straight up and enjoy the views and relax up top for a bit.

Remember the last 30-45 minutes are on the way down in the dark, so be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Also note that this event is very weather dependent...this is a tentative date to some degree and if the forecast is not for at least mostly sunny, it will probably be moved back to when we will get those conditions.  So sign up knowing that it could easily be postponed and make backup plans if necessary.  And I suspect there will be other AOC hikes to check out thet comet...at Stone Mountain and elsewhere.  If it's any good, I'll try to lead another one as well.

It should be a good day to be on Yonah and hope you can join us.

will be provided at carpool and via email for those meeting at event.

 The last half mile of the drive to the trailhead is on a well maintained gravel road

If rain is forecast, this event will be rescheduled.

NA

NA