Mike, it's a small town. I was pretty annoyed when the comet rose bang in the middle of this, but fortunately it drifted north and was clear for the shot.
Settings were almost the same as the other shot. 13 s, iso 3200, 70 mm, f/4.
Awesome shots Colin, loving them.
I think that's the Pinjarra ALCOA plant in the last shot?
As I write this, east coasters will be in the middle of observing this themselves. We always knew that this would be the day. Once the coma cleared the brighter part of astronomical twilight we were in with a grin.
Drove about 50 km's south of me to get the Tararua Ranges (average height is 5,000ft or 1,500m) in the bottom of the field. That part worked but I copped a few annoying clouds that curtailed the end of the tail (is that where the word curtail comes from?).
Still I'm coming to grips with this Canon 10D now. All of the shots are on ISO 800, f/5.6, 20 -30 seconds, except for the Moon shot which was only 2 seconds.
Enjoy the moment folks. You won't regret or forget it!
I just had a look at Comet Lovejoy with the naked eye and with 12x60 binoculars.
It was cloudy and hazy here but I still managed to see about 9 degrees of tail up to mu Nor. Lovejoy is brighter than the LMC and eta Car.
A bright satellite was moving down the left side of the comet while I was watching it.
Clouded out now. Typical. Clouds will be gone in an hour. Will try again tomorrow. Weather in Adelaide isn't the best over the coming days but will hopefully improve early/mid next week.
I headed north 30 min to a quieter and darker beach, but too much cloud around today. Were patches of stars, but didnt see the comet. Took quite a few pics, but didnt see and streaks, but will check them out now. So glad I had a look yday.
No show today, too much light cloud near horizon, where else!! Of course it clears just as dawn begins giving sucker views.
Oh well there is always tomorrow.
Clouded out in Melbourne too.. got up at 3am and drove 15 minutes but turned back home as I wasn't going to get a good view through thick high cloud. Tried to save some sleep for another attempt tomorrow..
Dragged myself out of bed at 4 am. Well worth the effort. Not much else can top a coment like this for an awe inspiring view. Hopefully it gets brighter but nevertheless, still very exciting stuff.
Dragged myself out of bed at 4 am. Well worth the effort. Not much else can top a coment like this for an awe inspiring view. Hopefully it gets brighter but nevertheless, still very exciting stuff.
Well done Aaron, you are right there, a brilliant sight.
Oh, read somewhere from a noted person in the field, that the comet is moving away from us, but the tail is still coming towards us for a couple of more days. Hope this is right, woohoo, sound right Terry??
Oh, and more images from ISS for those who havent seen
The comet is still moving towards earth, and is closest at 0.5 AU in early January when the comet's coma will pass near the south celestial pole (nice!). I imagine the tail would have become quite weak by then and may be difficult to see.
This comet is very similiar to the Sungrazing Comets of 1880 and 1887, which remained visible only 3 weeks past perihelion. So if history is anything to go by then we don't have too much time to get the best views, maybe until the end of the year.
Absolutely stunning photos and great reports everyone.
I headed west out of town (from Pascoe Vale) along the Calder this morning and found a spot with reasonable views of the SE horizon but a lot of sky glow.
Clouds hung low over the horizon and the closest I got to seeing it is attached.
Does anyone have any advice on where to head from Padcoe Vale to have a chance of seeing it or will my spot do without the clouds?
The comet is still moving towards earth, and is closest at 0.5 AU in early January when the comet's coma will pass near the south celestial pole (nice!). I imagine the tail would have become quite weak by then and may be difficult to see.
This comet is very similiar to the Sungrazing Comets of 1880 and 1887, which remained visible only 3 weeks past perihelion. So if history is anything to go by then we don't have too much time to get the best views, maybe until the end of the year.
Terry
Yes, but what a great way to end the year!
Thanks for our early Christmas present this year Mr Lovejoy!
what exactly is the criteria for a 'Great' comet? if what we observed this morning isnt a Great comet, i'm not sure what is!? Comet Lovejoy's tail was as bright as the southern milky way, actually much brighter as it rose, so what that puts it in the 3.5 mag surface brightness range, min, especially the brighter section of tail! i was comparing it to pointers and other bright stars, very comparible! we could easy see 25d naked eye tail by full visiblity .. in bright twilight, not much else left visible at comets altitude hmmm
This is Jack from Singapore. Really can't resist and just purchased a ticket to Perth for tomorrow.
Anybody in Perth heading to dark sties for a fulll-nighter on Saturday? I would desperately love to join since I've never been there thus not familiar with the place at all. Don't mind sharing petrol cost or even mileage. Simply can't miss a great comet like this after the miserable experiences with comet McNaught.