C/2009 F6 (YI-Swan) - Bright Comet

This comet was designated today as C/2009 FD6 (YI-SWAN). The good news is its bright between mag (8-9) so definitely a visual comet. It's around Cassiopiae right now and as such is circumpolar.

This appeared on the NEO confirmation page yesterday and was confirmation data was taken and submitted from Raheny. But what is even better is that Raheny was ably assisted by Carl O'Beirnes in Balbriggan. Who tracked the comet down in his wide field set up and directed my 14" to the target. As such Carl rightly deserves his mention on the discovery MPEC.

Link To Discovery Accouncement

Well done Carl. Hope this gives you the bug and hopefully it shows everyone else just what can be achieved in a 4" scope (which Carl used).

Here's a quick finder chart guys.

Well done Dave, and your able observatory assistant Carl!

Carl - let me know what he's paying you - I can do better than that

Nice one guys I'll be on the lookout for this fella

Keith..

Hi all,

Here is the wide field of C/2009 FD6 (YI-SWAN). it is just 3 one minute exposures taken over 15 minutes. It was great to be involved with this discovery even though it was a small part I played Thanks to Dave Grennan for getting me involved. What I found most exciting was that I was imaging something not many people knew about.

Well done to Dave G and his lovely observatory assistant Carl!

Michael.