Comets Lemmon and PanSTARRS & Aurora

[alexch]

Hi All,

With the tow comets dangling in the southern sky there was very little choice for me but to try and get them above the Southern Ocean. On February 13th, Lemmon and PanSTARRS were a bit too far apart for the 35mm lens FoV but on the morning of 17th they fitted the view very nicely.

There was a surprise aurora (Kp 4) on the 17th, which sort of ruined my telephoto timelapse but more than made up for it in the widefield version.

http://vimeo.com/59571509
http://vimeo.com/59571509
(http://vimeo.com/59571509)
I have posted the telephoto version of this timelapse in the Solar system section a week ago but I think this rendition belongs here.

Cheers,
Alex

[gregbradley]

Superb Alex, superb!

What time does Panstarrs rise?

Greg.

[colinmlegg]

Another nice catch, Alex :)

We were out both nights again doing almost the same thing ;) No aurora for me though...just a bit far north and a line of clouds hugging the southern horizon didn't help. :(

[Phil Hart]

People could be forgiven for thinking you have the power to choreograph all this stuff Alex!

Ready.. 1..2..3.. smile.. wait.. let me just dial up the Aurora again.. :lol:

Lovely :thumbsup:

Phil

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

What more could you ask for in astro image!!!

Bloody beautiful Alex!

Cheers,

Justin.

[h0ughy]

this is the next level..fanbloodytastic............. ...all you need now is a bolide...supurb!

[Forgey]

Beautiful work Alex!

[iceman]

Holy cow that's amazing.

The video processing/production is getting better too! Great transitions.

[iceman]

Holy cow that's amazing.

The video processing/production is getting better too! Great transitions.

[Octane]

I love the way the aurora sweeps across. So subtle. :)

H

[StephenM]

Another amazing timelapse Alex! Excellent.

Cheers,
Stephen

[elfinke]

I watched that with a big grin the whole way through. Sensational!

[trek1701]

Sensational!:eyepop:



Just got my family in to watch this one.
It does appear you’re orchestrated this one your self.;)


Cheers Mark

[CapturingTheNight]

I was thinking the same thing Phil :D Mind you I can't complain too much after managing that plane transit.

Fantastic work once again Alex. Just perfect! :thumbsup:

[rcheshire]

Superb. Thanks Alex -a real treat.

[graham.hobart]

Alex, that's truly awe inspiring. I would love to know the technical details about how you did this.
Stunned!
Graz

[DavidU]

Fabulous work ! I see they put it on spaceweather.com:thumbsup:

[Irish stargazer]

:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Yeh, pretty damn cool Alex :thumbsup:

There is interesting stuff out there to capture if one has the skill, enough tenacity and some careful planning...and a bit of luck ;)

Mike

[Domol]

it just world's best practice!
The bar has been raised again!
sensational!
Thanks Alex
....keep em coming

[seeker372011]

Inspiring work. Really wonderful. Had to show it to the family

[Ric]

Top stuff Alex

Loved every second of it.

[alexch]

Thanks, Greg!

I think it is a few days too late. You may still catch it in the evening twilight just above the horizon. The finding chart is here:
http://cometchasing.skyhound.com/comets/2012_F6.pdf

Alex

[alexch]

Thanks, Colin!
The aurora was not that strong and I guess being closer to the magnetic pole puts Victoria in a slightly better position then WA.

[alexch]

Thanks Phil,

A little bit of luck always helps!

Cheers,
Alex

[alexch]

Thanks Graz.

For wide field view I used Nikon D3S and 35 f/1.4 lens at f/2, 15 sec exposures at ISO 3200 on a fixed tripod.
Telephoto shots were done with Sony NEX5N and 70-200mm lens at f/2.8 (135mm for Lemmon and 200mm for PanSTARRS), 30 sec ISO 3200 on Vixen Polarie tracker.

[alexch]

Justin, David, Paula, Mike, Humayun, Stephen, Mark, Greg, Rowland, DavidU, John, Mike, Domenic, Narayan & Ric -
Thanks guys for your kind comments, they are much appreciated!

Cheers,
Alex