First version of the Scheduler is available for use
Dear friends! We're glad to announce that the first version of the Scheduler for visual observations of comets is available for use. You can enter Scheduler from a “Personal Cabinet” page by selecting "Observations plan" in the right menu.
At the moment, the Scheduler allows you to get the following information for the nearest observation night:
1. Rise / set times of Sun and Moon for any of your observation sites
2. Rise / set times of comets added to your “Personal Cabinet” for any of your observation sites
Graphic component of the Scheduler displays the timing of the night and twilight (civil, nautical, astronomical), as well as the daily altitude dynamics of the Sun, Moon and comets added to your “Personal Cabinet”. For example:
This chart is displaying the visibility of the three brightest comets during the night of September 1 to 2, 2014 for an observation site located in the Middle Karelia. Clear to see that comet C/2014 E2 (Jacques) has excellent observation conditions at the end of astronomical twilight attaining a maximum altitude of more than 80 degrees. Observation conditions of another two comets C/2012 K1 (PANSTARRS) and C/2013 V5 (Oukameiden) are far worse as the first one rises in the middle of nautical twilight, while the other one rises at the end of astronomical twilight. This indicates that comet C/2012 K1 is almost unobservable one, and comet C/2013 V5 can be observed though but only if there is an open area to the east horizon.
We welcome your suggestions for the Scheduler improving.
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