Star Points for May, 2004; by Curtis Roelle May's Binocular Comets Two comets may be visible for binocular observers in May. If you need help there will be a public viewing in late May (see details below). Comet LINEAR reached perihelion, its closest point to the sun, in late April. Thus, peak brightness has probably already been reached for this comet which was discovered in October 2002. In late January I noticed a short stubby tail while using a 12.5- inch Newtonian reflector telescope. The tail is confirmed in a photograph on p. 73 of this month's Sky & Telescope (S&T) magazine that was taken three days later. S&T is available at the public library and at better book stores. As May starts Comet LINEAR is visible in bright morning twilight. However, it gets a little lower each morning and in a few days it gets too low to see. But in late May and June the comet reappears in evening twilight. Using your binoculars sweep along the west-southwest horizon looking for a fuzzy blob perhaps with a short tail attached. Then raise them up slightly and sweep back the other direction. Do about 4 or 5 such sweeps - each a little higher than and overlapping the previous one. If you don't see it then wait a minute or two for the sky to darken a little bit and repeat the process. Remember that during this time the comet will be sinking toward the horizon due to the rotation of the earth. The other May comet is Comet NEAT, discovered in August 2001. Comet Neat is an evening comet during May and it climbs higher each night and should reach its peak brightness during the coming week. The comet passes to the left of the bright star dog star Sirius during the first week of the month. It passes to the left of the lesser dog star Procyon between May 9 and 10. Sweep the areas around these stars with binoculars for a fuzzy cotton ball with a possible tail pointing toward the upper left. If you find it check it again on the next night. Did it move? If so, then you found it. You can then use it to find M44, the "Beehive" (a.k.a. Praesepe) star cluster in Cancer. On May 14 the comet is below the cluster and will be to its upper right on the 15th. You may find detailed finder charts for both comets in the observing section of the Sky & Telescope web (skyandtelescope.com). It's worth a visit because you will find news about a 3rd comet, Comet Bradfield. That comet is currently in the morning sky as it climbs out of the sun's glare. If you'd like a chance to see a comet and much more (weather permitting) the Westminster Astronomical Society Inc. (WASI) will have telescopes set up at Bear Branch Nature Center (BBNC) on Friday, May 28. In addition, two shows are scheduled in the BBNC planetarium at 07:30 and 08:30 p.m. There is no charge for attending the WASI star party. Those interested in either planetarium show should register by phoning BBNC at 410-848-2517. BBNC is located on 300 John Owings Road. The best time to see Comet Linear will be between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. Comet NEAT will be visible in a dark sky after 10 p.m. By the way, WASI is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month with a fascinating 3-D celestial slide show by the extraordinary Frederick astrophotographer Tom Renn. The slide show will be at the monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 12 in the BBNC auditorium. WASI meetings are free and open the public.