Comet Lovejoy from Western Australia (21 -> 27 Dec)

[colinmlegg (Colin)]

Hi all,

Been enjoying everyones comet images, so thought I'd put together a compilation of my own. Most have been posted on the main comet thread so apologies to those who've already seen them.

It's sad to see the comet fading. Along with McNaught in 07, it's one of the most thrilling things I've seen in the sky and I can't wait for the next one!

Image details:

1 & 2 (Dec 21)
3 & 4 (Dec 22)
5 (Dec 23)
6 (Dec 26)
7 (Dec 27)

Timelapses:

http://vimeo.com/34007626
http://vimeo.com/34126124
http://vimeo.com/34314682

Thanks
Colin

[Lester]

Wow, Colin what a gallery that is. Fantastic. Your work is of the highest standard, thanks for the views.

I have not been so enthused about the night sky for many years. All the best.

[iceman (Mike)]

An excellent series, Colin. I've enjoyed your images and timelapses immensely.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

Hi, Collin.

The images over the water are stunning!

Thanks,

Justin.

[colinmlegg (Colin)]

Thanks guys appreciate the comments.

Lester, good luck with that wide lens. I'm with you...itching to get out there again into dark skies. I do mainly night landscapes, really enjoy the tranquility of night in the summer...cool, no people and no flies!

Mike, great community.

[Adelastro1 (Wayne England)]

Great images and timelapses Colin! They're so clear!

How do you vary the exposures while you're taking the timelapse? I thought that once you start a series using an intervalometer you were stuck with the same exposure length.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Brilliant work, Colin

[Liz]

Yes, fabulous collection Colin!!

[colinmlegg (Colin)]

Thanks Wayne, Carl, Liz. Already in withdrawal...we need another one!!

Wayne, the exposures in the first 2 clips were done with a device called "the Little Bramper". It works by smoothly varying the bulb in millisecond increments. In addition you can step the ISO (manually) and it smoothly adjusts bulb to compensate. Gives you around 12 stops of latitude. Midday -> Midnight is around 20 stops, so you still end up a bit short for entire day -> night sequences. Unfortunately it's only available/works with Canon DSLRs.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Fantastic collection Colin, all excellent records of an amazing comet.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get out and try and see it until the 2nd and 3rd and by then the comet was too faint to see from an inner suburban Newcastle morning sky..very dissapointing

Mike