Comet Pan-STARRS and its March+ 2013 appearance

Hi,

Glad to see some people got breaks in clouds and some great images were posted in the last few weeks. I did get a largely clear sky last night (following 15 days/nights of cloud here on the east coast!), but a rogue cloud hid the Comet for quite a while.

Got some images when the comet was low. See Variable Star Nights

Details are given there.

I estimated the magnitude of the comet to be 4.1 using the 12x36 binoculars.

Just before disappearing behind a wall, the Comet was a lovely sight in the 25cm reflector. It was beautiful with a very condensed coma and a creamy tail.

John

I've only managed to see it once due to constant cloud cover. Am hoping to get at least one clear night before it fades too much.....

This comet is still bright enough overhead to be a nice photography target.

Damien Peach and Pete Lawrence have posted some spectacular shots online, but even a stacks of couple of minutes exposures can bring out the anti-tail it's now sprouting. (Even if you do mess up focusing and taking flats!)



9.25SCT 5x200s

Is that Pete and Damian's shot, or yours Al?

Y'know, I still HAVEN'T seen this comet?!?! :X Conspiracies against me...

Seanie.
(now a little grumpy...)

wow!, this is real encouraging !
Imaged in the 9.25 sct, I'm gonna try this with my scope next time I'm out with it.

Seanie_Morris wrote: Is that Pete and Damian's shot, or yours Al?

Y'know, I still HAVEN'T seen this comet?!?! :X Conspiracies against me...

Mine! And that was the first chance I'd got to see it.

Mr. Peach did considerably better:

Taken from his facebook page. Takahashi 106mm refractor with STL-11000M. LRGB. L: 4x3mins. RGB: 1x2mins. Near full moon present.