#1  
Old 02-03-2013, 01:32 AM
Rob_K
Registered User

Rob_K is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bright, Vic, Australia
Posts: 2,158
Comet spectra, 28 Feb & 01 Mar 2013

Thanks to heavy rain clearing out the NE skies I've been able to take spectra of two comets over the last two nights. I completed my spectrum hunt tonight by taking one of C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS). Because of pretty basic gear I needed two bright comets, and what better than Lemmon & PANSTARRS, one gassy and one dusty!

These are low resolution spectra taken without a slit and the DSLR camera response limits the wavelength range, but nonetheless the differences are pretty dramatic IMO. Broadly, Lemmon appears to shine strongly in the emitted light of diatomic carbon, while PANSTARRS shines in the reflected light of the Sun with only one strong emission line, sodium at 589nm. It does also have some very weak emission lines in diatomic carbon. Unfortunately my camera won't pick up the strong CN spike that Lemmon has because it is too far into the ultraviolet.

I was unable to replicate the last Lemmon spectrum I posted in Terry's thread because that camera died, RIP. I've had to do some re-calibration of my images, trust that this is around the mark.

Cheers -
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (Panst-Lemm spectra, 28 Feb & 01 Mar 2013.jpg)
196.1 KB58 views

Last edited by Rob_K; 02-03-2013 at 02:03 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-03-2013, 02:41 AM
Merlin66's Avatar
Merlin66 (Ken)
Registered User

Merlin66 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Junortoun Vic
Posts: 8,904
Rob,
Well done, and well presented!
In the Panstarrs I think I also see some emission around 5009 - could be OIII emission??
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-03-2013, 07:08 AM
Terry B's Avatar
Terry B
Country living & viewing

Terry B is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Armidale
Posts: 2,789
Very good Rob.
The weather has stopped me doing anything astronomical for over a week.
Maybe it will clear before the comets disappear.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-03-2013, 09:36 AM
Rob_K
Registered User

Rob_K is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bright, Vic, Australia
Posts: 2,158
Thanks Ken & Terry. Terry, hopefully your weather clears and you can put the LISA on PANSTARRS and sort out the emission lines. You'll need to find a flat horizon though.

Cheers -
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 07:29 PM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement