Comet images from Tzec Maun observatories

[Roman White]

During the last 2 nights I had a few hours of observations at Tzec Maun observatories, and here are some results. All images are quickly processed and cropped, so that's not a final result (I'm still downloading some fits files)

217P/LINEAR
2009-11-15, 19:10UT from D25 Pingelly, W Australia
4min exposure @ Takahashi FSQ-106, camera SBIG STL-11000

(north is down, east to the right)
Altitude 60°, RA 06h23m06s, DEC -02°35'46" (Monoceros), the brightest star above is TYC 4788-2021-1 (7.9m)
Dia.~1'.2, elongated towards PA 295°

again 217P/LINEAR
2009-11-16, 10:50UT from H10 New Mexico Skies, USA
4min exposure @ Takahashi Epsilon 180 f/2.8, camera SBIG ST-2000 one-shot color

(north is up, east to the left)
Altitude 51°, RA 06h22m45s, DEC -02°29'52" (Monoceros), the brightest star above is TYC 4788-0509-1 (9.4m)
Dia.~1'.0x1'.7, elongated towards PA 300°

81P/Wild
2009-11-16, 11:15UT from H10 New Mexico Skies, USA
5min exposure @ Takahashi Epsilon 180 f/2.8, camera SBIG ST-2000 one-shot color

(north is down, east to the right)
Altitude 47°, RA 10h29m51s, DEC +08°42'15" (Leo), the bright star directly above is TYC 0838-0597-1 (12.2m)
Irregular shaped coma, dia.~0'.5, dust tail ~3'.5 towards PA 310°, moving quite fast

[rjgjr]

Those are great images Roman. Because I haven't a clue, how does that work with imaging remotely (obviously) from distant observatories?

[Roman White]

Thanks Richard.

Because I haven't a clue, how does that work with imaging remotely (obviously) from distant observatories?

Generally, it works simple - they have good software which automatically slews the telescope, guides, focuses, takes exposures and makes some calibration. One needs only to control it through web-interface. There is also another software called 'Astronomy Studio' which allows to make semi-automatic & semi-manual imaging, but I haven't worked with it yet.

[Roman White]

C/2007 Q3 (Siding Spring) - the most spectacular one in the current sky, I'm eager to observe it visually 
2009-11-16, 11:32UT from H10 New Mexico Skies, USA
5min exposure @ Takahashi Epsilon 180 f/2.8, camera SBIG ST-2000 one-shot color

(north is down, east to the right)
Altitude 31°, RA 12h19m35s, DEC +13°25'41" (Coma Berenices), the brightest star is TYC 0879-0445-1 (9.4m)
Dia.~0'.9, dust tail ~11' towards PA 230°

[martinastro]

Siding Spring is a beauty! - would like a visual look on that one myself 

[martinastro]

It's near the coma-Virgo cluster and to the E of Leo, if it clears well tonight I might just have a go for it. Mag ests are +9.0 to +9.5. I wonder if the tail can be seen visually.

[Roman White]

It's near the coma-Virgo cluster and to the E of Leo

oops, that was a misprint it my previous message

Here are another two from last night:

C/2006 W3 (Christensen)
2009-11-16, 12:39UT from D25 Pingelly, W Australia
5min exposure @ Takahashi Epsilon 180, camera SBIG ST-2000 Color

(north is to the left, east is down)
Altitude 20°, RA 19h15m03s, DEC -11°59'18" (Sagittarius), the brightest star is TYC 5716-0491-1 (8.4m)
Dia.~1'.8, seems to be elongated towards PA 045°

88P/Howell - distinctly green, quickly moving
2009-11-16, 12:50UT from D25 Pingelly, W Australia
3.5min exposure @ Takahashi Epsilon 180, camera SBIG ST-2000 Color

(north is to the left, east is down)
Altitude 26°, RA 19h11m02s, DEC -25°53'01" (Sagittarius), the brightest star below is TYC 6878-0169-1 (8.6m)
Dia.~3'.5

[Roman White]

Today there was an alert about 169P/NEAT that it is much brighter than in ephemeride (17.6m).

I have imaged it tonight and can confirm that it is much brighter than in ephemeride, although fainter than 9-10m as some people supposed.

169P/NEAT - moving fast across dense areas of Milky Way
2009-11-17, 12:32UT from D25 Pingelly, W Australia
5min exposure @ Takahashi Epsilon 180, camera SBIG ST-2000 Color

(north is to the left, east is down)
Altitude 17°, RA 18h28m35s, DEC -23°57'58" (Sagittarius), the brightest star is TYC 6857-1650-1 (10.8m)
Dia.~0'.7

According to S.Yoshida's prediction it will reach 10.0...10.5 magnitude in December! (but will be below DEC -45° during this time). On the other hand, MPC predicts max 14.8m in late January

[Roman White]

29P/Schwassman-Wachmann
2009-11-25, 12:30UT from H10 New Mexico Skies, USA
7min exposure @ Takahashi Epsilon 180 f/2.8, camera SBIG ST-2000 one-shot color

(north is up, east to the left)
Altitude 69°, RA 09h53m43s, DEC +11°57'44" (Leo), the star directly below GSC 00832-01444 (13.2m)
Dia.~1'.1

[Roman White]

81P/Wild and Saturn conjunction from today.
Here's a roughly made mosaic

P.S. Two bright stars between are 13 and eta Virginis.

[martinastro]

That's a very interesting image Roman, well done on getting at the correct time 

[rjgjr]

That is a beautiful image Roman, great job!!

[Roman White]

Thanks Martin and Richard.

[Roman White]

Have recently imaged comets 10P/Tempel and 65P/Gunn (and some more in a few month ago), will try not to forget to send them here next weekend 

[markt]

Cool stuff