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Post by martinastro on May 5, 2007 13:32:22 GMT
A few recent comet sketches which have been photographed from my log book so excuse the poor quality. In each case a 8.5" F/7 dobsonian reflector was used in conjunction with a 1.25" 32mm eyepiece providing a FOV of 1 degree. C/2007 E1 Garradd - April 18/19th 00.45 BST  C/2007 E2 Lovejoy - April 26/27th 03.04 BST showing rapid motion.  C/2007 E2 Lovejoy - May 3/4th 23.20 BST  |
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Post by martinastro on May 14, 2007 17:41:48 GMT
Last night at 01.02 BST I made my 13th visual observation of C/2007 E2 Lovejoy. The comet was found at the zenith within Draco near and NW of the 2nd magnitude star Eta Draconis. The coma was elliptical, faint with low surface brightness and diffuse edges sporting a subtle pastel grey - green colour. A faint central condensation could be seen with a faint star-like false nucleus. I also made my first tail observation! The tail was incredibly faint, broad and of a very low surface brightness, barley brighter than the background sky. It was a faint green colour and extended for at least 50 arc min's away from the Sun. I made this not so good sketch to share with you. Mag: 9.5 Dia: 6' D.C: 3 Tail: 50' - also seen in 10X50 binoculars.  |
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Post by Paul Evans on May 14, 2007 21:54:06 GMT
Those are remarkable sketches Martin - even the one you thought was not so good! IN the past you've inverted the scan so it looks to be white on black which I think is more effective, approximating as it does to the normal view.
Great stuff!
Paul.
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Post by Administrator on May 15, 2007 8:59:00 GMT
Excellent report there Martin, thanks for posting. Robert.
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Post by martinastro on May 15, 2007 16:14:50 GMT
Thanks for the feedback Paul and Robert. Here is the some sketch which John kindly inverted for me....  |
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Post by jonathan on May 16, 2007 10:22:49 GMT
Very good sketches martin the inverted one looks a whole lot better with more detail evident.
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Post by martinastro on May 16, 2007 13:58:19 GMT
Thanks Jonathan  I will try and get a better sketch before the comet fades. I am after another comet now called C/2006 RZ 13 LINEAR at mag 13.5 it should brighten rapidly to mag 9 by June- July. It was discovered as an asteroid but it changed to a comet as it approached the Sun. |
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I will try and get a better sketch before the comet fades. I am after another comet now called C/2006 RZ 13 LINEAR at mag 13.5 it should brighten rapidly to mag 9 by June- July. It was discovered as an asteroid but it changed to a comet as it approached the Sun.