At this time it was slightly more than 2 years that I was
part of an association in Bangalore, ABAA. This is the place which
introduced me to sky-observations. And it was only around 6 months that
I did sky-observations on my own. The members of ABAA had left for our
observation site, Sivanhalli. I had to reach there if I had to observe
something, and observations was the only thing in my life I didn't want
to miss. 3 of us were scheduled to leave separately, my classmate, a
senior member of the association and me. Usually we used to leave at 3-4
pm having to reach the place before 5 pm, because of fear of wild
elephants in the area. And it was around 6 that I was still in my house
waiting for my classmate to arrive. He finally arrived late, and me
frustrated about the timing had to finally leave my house. I knew that
this comet is in the western sky so will set some time after sunset. We
finally reached the place somewhere around 8-8:30 pm, very late and very
risky indeed. Many members were associated there and were also doing
general observations. No one seemed to know about the celestial visitor
that we had that moment
Our president, Mr. Dilip Kumar had got his 7x50 binoculars and they were
quite heavy with metal body, so it was mounted on the stand. When
we reached there, one member was already looking through the binoculars
and having reached late every minute counted to me for seeing the setting comet.
So as soon as I reached there, I asked this member to let me use the
binoculars, which sounded rude to him. As a result after lot of begging
he got fed of it and had to give me the binoculars, rudely. But I knew
that I would be needing it only for some time. I took the finder chart
and looked at Pisces, and inspite of it being a faint constellation with
dim stars, star-hopped from one star to other, naked-eyes. Finally I
centered the binocular as per the chart and arrived at the position
where the object should be. I stared and stared into the binocular and
this was the first time ever that I had tested the real limit of my
eyes, inexperienced eyes. But at the back of my mind, my eyes were
telling that there is something real dim and fuzzy there. I had to give
it a try in the telescope now. Having a rough position in my mind, I
aimed the finder there and moved the telescope here and there. Finally I
stumbled upon something big and fuzzy, and quite bright. It was a long
object, which is a good definition of a comet, the coma with it's tail.
It was whitish in color and I remember hardly anything about it's
appearance now. As soon as I saw it I didn't announce it, I waited to
have a good look at it whether can it be a comet or not, it didn't
clearly look like that to me. Then after seeing quite of it I announced
it and told everyone there.
The reaction of everyone at this was that of real surprise, a new-comer
finding a comet (bright or faint, it didn't matter). I could see the
"respect" everyone had during that night ever since I found it,
everyone's way of speaking had quite changed. That's a moment of
happiness for yourself, seniors giving "respect" to a 20 yr-old.
General observing sessions continued that night, and I didn't find any
new objects except for M83, it was the first time that I found it on my
own with great difficulty. During those days, finding any new object for me was a very big
feat, as I was never a talented observer, I was just a common observer.
The Milky-Way, all around in our southern location, Sivanhalli, was the
best memories I have of that period. It made you really feel as if you
are one with the live sky. And this place was a site of absolute terror
to me, I was so scared here for observing here in this jungle area, that
I never ever had the guts to go even 5 feet further alone !!! Yes that's
true. Absolute Terror.
All in all it was a fantastic day, as are all my first observing
sessions just a few years back. I saw my first comet this day.
