Thanks guys. The time on that pic should be 17:14, not 18:14 (ie 4:14am EDT, UT+11). I blame tiredness, why can't all comets be visible at convenient times?
Just out of curiosity Rob, was the comet visible in a single exposure before being stacked?
Yep Stu, quite clear in all seven subs. Stacking didn't really bring it out any stronger, just smoothed the image out and enabled me to work on it a bit.
Hope the observation and status update keep coming up...
Had no chance for a follow-up due to heavy work commitments - others that I know of have tried but been plagued by low cloud in the SE. Surprised there's not a few observations by now though. Last chance really, before the Moon spoils the party!
I'll do observation on Christmas morning. Just 2 degrees above horizon at 6:15am Malaysia time.
On 17th Jan will be higher at 5 degrees on the same time and that is the highest the comet can reach for Malaysia sky. I definitely will do the observation too.
Overcast skies in SE QLD have prevented scope time recently. The forecast is for clearing conditions today with a sunny skies tomorrow. If the forecast holds, I will take the scope for a drive to catch this comet and be home in time to share chrissy morning with family.
Hours of darkness for Brisbane are approx 0230hrs to 0315hrs.
Starry Night V6.3 data for attached image:
Name: PANSTARRS (C/2011 L4)
Limiting Magnitude: 9.9
Universal Time: 24/12/2012 17:45:00
Local Time: 25/12/2012 3:45:00 AM
Location: Brisbane
Latitude: 27° 29.09' S
Longitude: 152° 57.55' E
Constellation name: Scorpius
Azimuth: 128.89
Altitude: 7.72
RA (JNow): 255.14
Dec (JNow): -37.88
EDIT: So much for clearing skies. Slate grey at the moment. I hope its comes good for tomorrow morning.
Last edited by Shark Bait; 24-12-2012 at 06:01 PM.
Tried 2 mornings ago, but cloud was hanging over the hook of Scorpius where the comet is lurking at the moment. The sky was very light too, will check out in another week or so, when sky darkens just a wee bit more.
this is the pic I took 2 mornings ago - the bright object being Venus.
anyone got any updates?
seems to be a information drought over the last week =o)
It's still very low in the pre-dawn sky and there's a big bright waning gibbous Moon washing it out even if you have clear skies. Don't expect much in the short term - a few days or so as the Moon passes last quarter should see more obs roll in.
The attached image is from this morning. It's a combination of 9 x 15 second exposures made low in the east. The comet seems to be around magnitude 8 at the moment, and if it's brightening trend continues it would reach magnitude 1 in March. I suspect it will fall a little short of this, say mag 2 but you never know.
The problem with Comet PANSTARRS is at its brightest it will be very low in bright twilight making it a lot harder to see than it's magnitude would suggest.
Had no chance for a follow-up due to heavy work commitments - others that I know of have tried but been plagued by low cloud in the SE. Surprised there's not a few observations by now though. Last chance really, before the Moon spoils the party! 
