Comet 2013X1Panstarrs

[Terry B]

My first attempt at this comet. Taking spectra of comets is difficult because they are rarely bright enough to guide on the slit. This one was borderline but I was able to keep it on the slit for about 30mins of exposure total. Swan bands are present and CN at 3880nm. This is in the UV so I tried an image through my U photometry filter. It is a single 300sec exposure guided on the comet so the stars are streaked. It is dim but there is clearly UV emission.

[StuTodd]

Great stuff Terry.

Did you put the slit through the comet itself, or the ionization tail? Would there be much difference?
2013X1 should remain well placed for a week or two yet. Just need those clouds to vanish!

Stu

[Terry B]

The slit was on the body of the comet. The coma or tail is too diffuse to get enough signal.