Author Topic: Binocular Comet Lovejoy Heading Our Way  (Read 948 times)

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Offline nincehelser

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Binocular Comet Lovejoy Heading Our Way
« on: December 29, 2014, 03:52:34 PM »
The latest Comet Lovejoy is 5th magnitude in late December and should reach 4th magnitude in January, when it will be nicely placed high in the dark for your binoculars or telescope. It's visible to the unaided eye under good sky conditions.

Update Dec. 28: The comet has reached magnitude 5.0! It's in Lepus, easily visible now from northern latitudes in late evening when Orion stands high. Tonight (Sunday) it passes by the globular cluster M79, which is smaller and much fainter at magnitude 8.4. From Sky & Telescope's hometown at latitude 42° north, the comet is a big puffball in 10×50 binoculars even through suburban light pollution. It appears moderately concentrated toward the center, with a hint of being asymmetric but no visible tail. But the tail is there alright, as numerous amateur photos are showing.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/binocular-comet-lovejoy-heading-c2014-q2-lovejoy-1211142/

Offline corwyyn

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Re: Binocular Comet Lovejoy Heading Our Way
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2014, 05:58:49 PM »
Yep I was out last night braving the frigid below 40deg temps to grab some images of the comet as it was going past M79.  I still need to process all of the frames into a final image but for now I'll leave this one here.  This is a single 60sec frame shot at ISO1600 with my Canon T3/1100D using my Astro-Tech AT72ED telescope as the 'lens'. 

More to follow, probably in a new thread. 
Kevin
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Blitzortung station 1042

Offline Otis

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Re: Binocular Comet Lovejoy Heading Our Way
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2014, 08:27:57 PM »
Very cool, thanks for sharing.

CW3699

 

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