Comet Machholz and the Pleiades (M45)

Saw some great skies myself between 12:10am and 12:49am. It was extremely breezey, but the skies were verrry clear. Of course, I don't have a camera to hand to have taken advantage of the close encounter, but it was readily seen from my dark skies of residence.

Then at about 1:10am, all hell broke loose!!!

:shock:

Seanie.

This is what we missed :roll:
www.stud.uni-karlsruhe.de/~uu76/astro/ne...olz_07012005_eng.jpg

That photo is definitely showing 2 tails for the comet!

Seanie.

Now thats what I call a photograph !! :shock:

Dave,

It is images like that that make you think of just giving up :shock:

Any way I found something on the "Green" comets at Universe Today

A frequently-asked question: Why do some comet atmospheres glow green?

Answer: The coma contains cyanogen (CN), a poisonous gas, and diatomic carbon (C2). Both of these substances glow green when illuminated by sunlight. This is called "resonant fluorescence."

Well you had to ask didn't you..
Michael Scully

I still think the Da Vince codes might provide a better explanation

Dear Friends,

I was quite disappointed to also have missed the encounter with the Pleiades on Friday evening. However, the skies did clear 24 hrs later (and too late) for another shot at this wanderer.

I may be smoking it but the tails are basically gone. Here is my (CCD) effort from last night: www.astrovox.gr/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=374 .

I will be back at it again later tonight.

Clear skies to all!

Anthony.