Hi all - deep-imaged the fainter section of tail this morning (well, after midnight) and can't see much evidence of a tail beyond Beta Centauri, amazing the difference a night makes. That would still have put the tail length at 22-degrees. Here's some gif animations:
Emu, 30-31 Dec (29-30 Dec UT), cropped from 18mm shots (3x3min):
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/w...30Dec11emu.gif
Pointers & below, 30-31 Dec, cropped from 55mm shots (3x3min). The tail gets 'cut off' right near the top of the frame as it crosses a small dark patch. Other shots show very little of substance emerging from the other side.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/w...c11low55mm.gif
Beta Centauri (bright star bottom left) to Coal Sack, very little if anything showing:
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/w...0Dec1155mm.gif
I imaged out as far as Eta Carinae neb and couldn't see anything. I didn't wait to see the head or brighter tail rise but the tail was visible naked eye to maybe a bit beyond Alpha Centauri, averted vision on the last bit.
Cheers -