Comet SWAN Sudden Brightening !

All, news has been circulating that Comet SWAN has undergone a sudden outburst, now at visual magnitude 4 - 4.5. It is believed that a fragment of the nucleus has separated from the main nucleus, and is quite impressive to view. Now if the rain will go away...Here's a short description from another list..
Keith..

Greetings:
At 0300-0330 UT today, I observed Comet Swan during twilight here on the
west coast.
It had brightened enormously. Perhaps mag 4. Certainly naked eye, just
wnw of the Hercules keystone.
During observation (18" Newt@63X), I saw what appeared to be a small
portion of the nucleus which had separated from the main nucleus. The
separated portion appeared at a position angle of ~45deg, if the comet's
tail is at position angle 180 degrees. The broken off piece was well
within the coma of the main object. I believe this may account for the
sudden and dramatic brightening.
All members are encouraged to continue observations in coming days, as
we have a great period of seeing in the next few days.
Could someone forward this to SFAA Announce?
Thanks,
Uncle Bob
37.987145,-122.591876

Thank you Keith. I just let the other place I talk at know.

Anyone manage to observe it? The weather here in Maynooth was not at all conducive to observing .... unless rain-drops are your target that is

Bart.

no, weather here was horrible. Maybe tonight

the following is a report fromcloudy nights posted today

"I also had a chance to see it from a NELM6.8 dark sky yesterday. In short, this is the best comet (for northern hemisphere) since Ikeya-Zhang. It's prominent with the naked eye, even if I didn't know it was there, I'd notice it immediately! There is even a ~2 degree tail, visible with the naked eye at magnitude 3.9. I observed it in 7x50, 11x70 and 11x80 binoculars, plus a NexStar 11. Large, but very condensed, *BLUE* coma, prominent tail with streamers, the first 3 degrees really bright, but traceable for a little more than the *entire* FOV of the 7x50! For everyone who has not yet gone out to see it - go *now*, this is a spectacular comet!
CS!Jure "

Cloudy here so far. Any ayempt I have made with the 12" to find the comet has been met with in-promptu cloud when I thought it would be clear enough. I'm going to take the small 70mm scope with me tonight, then on the way home from work, if it is clear, I'll have a scout for it.

S.

Success tonight in Celbridge.

Couldnt see it with binos but saw it in the view finder as a definate fuzzy blob when i goto it.

Spectacular!!!! and very bright indeed saw a hint of a tail but needed averted vision. clouds stayed away for long periods and how i wish i had a dark site.............