Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) getting brighter

[cometcatcher]

Terry's comet is looking good!
Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) in the rich starfileds of Puppis, 2014 October 26 (27 EST).

About mag 11ish at present, this comet will continue to brighten over the next few weeks and move into more convenient skies. In December it will be to the right of Orion, rising in the east just after sunset.

[algwat]

I'm not a morning person, so will be waiting for this one on my western horizon, thanks for the info, looks green notail? regards Alan.

[cometcatcher]

Hi Alan, at discovery a few weeks back it had a short tail. At present it doesn't show one. Might be the angle of Comet / Earth geometry as well.

[cometcatcher]

Still getting brighter. Saw it in both the 8" and 6" tonight.

[algwat]

I like this well balanced image , Kevin.
Good star colour and a not too black background.

Another for me to catch up with.... rgds, alan

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Alan. Best viewing will be December and January. This image was taken at midnight but it will be visible earlier in the next few weeks.

[gaa_ian]

I Think Lovejoy is getting Brighter as Today is Terrys Birthday !
Happy Birthday Terry, you are a legendary Comet hunter :bowdown:

[Camelopardalis]

Nice one Kevin :thumbsup: looking forward to this one. Looks like you're making good use of the newt :D

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Dunk. Yes the Newts are getting more use now. I use the refractor for the Sun.

And happy birthday Terry! :birthday:

[algwat]

I just checked my starry night for long range position c/2014 Q2 at Dec 24/25. Comet is approx 0.5au from earth and if a good size visible for a couple of hours crossing near zenith here at melb.

So, the photo challenge is to make a photo of this comet above your Christmas tree :D.

best wishes Terry on your Birthday and Christmas comet.

Oh, can I please suggest a bit of threadequit...
Can we just have one thread for this comet for all images to put in so that the comet evolution can be easily followed. Say a standard stack of 10x30sec summed images. RGB/BW is ok.


kind regards, Alan

[cometcatcher]

I'll probably be doing one thread per comet myself since I post a lot of comet pics, and to help prevent forum clutter, but if you mean for everyone to use one thread... don't think that's going to work. Neither is a "standard" stack. Can't be done due to cloud and variable comet motion.

If there is a lot of demand for comets, we could ask Mike for a separate comet subsection, but I'm not sure there is enough of a following.

[algwat]

"every one to use same thread..."??

That is what a thread is all about ...8)

As too the images, any set of same exposure would be good, not trying to set a definite standard, but if a longer exposure and processing show tail structure that's cool too. As this comet is going to be in a good position there may opportunity to make longer sequences that came show dynamic tail movements across say 4hrs..??

I got this comet rising above the garage in the SE sky last night...pics soon.

[algwat]

Panstarrs and and lovejoy rising in late evening rgds, Alan

[cometcatcher]

I keep missing 2012 K1 due to cloud. By the time it clears the comet is in a bad position for me unfortunately.

[cometcatcher]

2014 Q2 is showing a faint tail tonight and brightening rapidly.

[JohnG]

Here is an inverted image from last night, shows a nice thin tail extending from the 1 o'clock position.

Cheers

[desler]

Nice capture John!

Daz

[algwat]

that's a good image , John.
keep them coming if weather permits...

kind regards, Alan

[cometcatcher]

Nice one John! It was overcast here last night. :(

[JohnG]

From tonight, 26/11/14. Conditions weren't as good as last night, tail is very much fainter. Normal Luminance and an Inverted image.

Cheers

[cometcatcher]

Nice one John. Not much of a tail from me tonight either.

[cometcatcher]

Managed to squeeze out a tail tonight as the half moon was setting.

[algwat]

that's another good one kevin, the stars still look reasonable.
Some of the big guys from the north are getting more tail details also.

kind regards, Alan

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Alan.

Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) and Sigma Puppis Dec 04. Interference from a nearly full moon.

[algwat]

Waiting ....Waiting....this weather is a pain. I hope it clears from Melbourne in the next few days.... Skippy Sky days out of date.... whinging, Alan.

[cometcatcher]

Cloudy here too, but then a full Moon anyway. Unfortunately the forecast isn't good for at least a week.

[cometcatcher]

Just scraped this one in dodging clouds for December 10.

[algwat]

good onya, kevin.
I will start predicting snow for Christmas here in Melbourne if the clouds don't break.....8(

[cometcatcher]

I tell ya, I would love a bit of snow right now. I'd even settle for hail!

Comet Q2 tonight December 11 with better conditions.

[Retrograde]

Lovely shots Kevin. That last one is a real beauty - good to see it brightening. :thumbsup:

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Pete. Yes it's about magnitude 7 now and easily visible in the 8 x 50 finderscope.

[algwat]

Yay, no clouds last night.:D
got a good number of images, 30x45sec, but it seems a longer exposure is need to see the tail detail.

[JohnG]

From 13/12/14, a little turbulent but very clear.

Normal Luminance, original TIF shows the tail much clearer.

Inverted image has been stretched to bring out the tail.

Cheers

[cometcatcher]

Nice ones Alan and John.

Was raining last night here but the low has moved off the coast so I might get a go at it tonight.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Nice image Kevin!:thumbsup:

Lovejoy doesn't appear to be dusty comet, correct me if I'm wrong but it appears to be mostly Ion tail we are seeing.

Cheers,

Justin.

[doppler]

This little comet seems to be warming up nicely and viewable at a reasonable hour too. Lugged out the portable eq pier at 11pm last night, balanced the 10" f4.8 newt and managed a few quick pics between the cloud masses. Looks like we might get a few clear nights soon Kevin, and with a waning moon as well.

11 x 10sec exposures at iso 3200 and 5 darks, stock canon 1100d stacked with DSS.

[algwat]

More nice images Rick and John.
I am getting envious of those of you with the bigger light buckets.
Kevin's images have almost sold me on an 8" f4/5 something... 8) (Santa??)

regards, Alan.

[JohnG]

No light bucket Alan, just a 4" refractor working at 610mm :)

Cheers

[gaa_ian]

Anyone have a good simple finder chart for southern hemisphere I can share ?

[geolindon]

a while back Kevin put me onto http://cometchasing.skyhound.com/

[gaa_ian]

That's not a bad one, thanks. but it runs out tomorrow and is a bit too zoomed in for most folk to find. I must get myself better set up with a star chart that updates with current comets ! I have used Skycharts for years but have never succeeded in uploading the comet ephemeris

[cometcatcher]

There is a page 2 Ian. It goes to December 30. ;)

There is some wide fields here. http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2014Q2/2014Q2.html

And narrow field charts for lots of comets from the BAA.

http://britastro.org/computing/charts_comet.html

Or http://theskylive.com/c2014q2-info

Click the online planetarium.

[cometcatcher]

Q2 from December 14 out the kitchen window. ;)

[gaa_ian]

Great Shot Kevin ! Is that with a long lens or a scope ? I am going to try and photograph tonight, any tips ?

[cometcatcher]

It's with the 8" F4 Newt.

Depends what you are going to shoot it with, for tips. ;)

[doppler]

Another nice one Kevin. I wish I could leave my scope set up, it takes me a good half hour to drag everything out to get started and the comet does not clear the trees until 10.30pm. Day off tomorow so I will give it another go tonight. A bit of a dust tail would top things of but I guess it still getting closer to the sun so anything could happen.

[cometcatcher]

Doesn't seem to have a dust tail Rick, just an ion tail. But the tail is starting to really turn on now. Yeah I know what you mean about setting up. One advantage of the window. I can leave it setup, but I only get a small field of view.

Anyway Q2 from tonight December 15.

[doppler]

There is some activity starting to happen, is that a couple of jets starting to appear?

[gaa_ian]

Sounds like you need an observatory Kevin, I can help you there ;)

[cometcatcher]

Yes Rick looks like some nice jets emerging.

An observatory would be awesome but can't at the moment.

[jenchris]

What is the traj for tonight?
I've no idea where to look

[doppler]

If you trace a straight line from canopus to sirius its about a third of the way from canopus

[cometcatcher]

For tonight.

[killswitch]

Great pics Kevin.

Hows the comet looking for visual?

[cometcatcher]

I guess the best way to describe it would be a binocular object and easy as a fuzzy ball in any small scope. It's visible as a fuzzy ball in the 8 x 50 finder, magnitude 5ish. Borderline naked eye. A couple of people have spotted it naked eye from dark skies.

[doppler]

There are some good finder/tracking charts here. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/binocular-comet-lovejoy-heading-c2014-q2-lovejoy-1211142/

[cometcatcher]

Those charts I think are for the northern hemisphere, which are fine for here too, except it helps if you rotate them 90 degrees CCW.

[algwat]

I comparison shot with 47Tuc might be good soon?
Close enough to swing the telescope over during next session.
Perhaps a good Bino/Visual reference...?

kind regards, Alan

[cometcatcher]

47 Tuc is in a different part of the sky and due to my small window I can't image it unless I move the whole scope.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Beautiful image Kevin!:thumbsup:

Yep, I posed the same question about the tail, certainly looks like Ion.

Cheers,

Justin.

[cometcatcher]

Yeah I haven't seen any pics with a dust tail. The complete opposite to 2013 A1 Siding Spring. It was all dust and no ion tail.

[jjjnettie]

Finder chart for tonight, 17th Dec.

[jjjnettie]

Finder chart for Christmas night.

[nebulosity.]

Here is my try from last night. Not real good but I'm happy as it is the first comet I have ever imaged with a scope.

60x1 minute subs. 8" F5 scope, cooled 350d.

Also a wide field image from the night before.

58x4 minute subs (around 4 hours) with 85mm lens and cooled 350d.

Cheers
Jo

[algwat]

good enough to see the slight blue ion tail.
well done, jo.

regards, alan

[cometcatcher]

Nice ones Jo. :thumbsup: Congratulations on your first comet pics!

[JohnG]

One straight out of the camera tonight (18/12/14)

Normal Luminance and Inverted and stretched to show the tail better.

Cheers

[Camelopardalis]

Is the tail really as long as SkySafari is leading me to believe? Photographically not visually.

[nebulosity.]

Than you Alan and Kevin!

Dunk, judging from another fairly deep wide field I did, I'd estimate the tail to be about 3 degrees long. Maybe a tad more.

Jo

[algwat]

hey, john good work again.

How many of those can you make across a good session?
one every 5 - 15mins would make an interesting animation.
Perhaps to catch dynamic actions in the ion tail. need about 20 frames..

kind regards, Alan.

[Camelopardalis]

Great - thanks Jo! Might try to have a go at it if it's clear over the weekend :D

[glend]

I am going to give it a go this weekend as well. Any advice on sub lengths on this rapidly moving object. I suppose I need to guide on the comet itself?

[JohnG]

Thanks Alan :thumbsup: I can notice movement after each exposure ATM as the Comet is moving quite quickly.

Glen, the exposure above is a single 300 second shot with an 8300 CCD, a 102mm refractor working at 610mm, if you blow it up you can see slight elongation in the core. I have another set of 5 X 50 second exposures I have yet to process so I will see how that pans out. The above shot was taken mainly to Invert and get some detail of the tail. I tracked on the stars, if you use PHD2 I believe you can track on the Comet itself. Hope that helps a little.

Cheers

[cometcatcher]

Nice ones John! Really clear tail detail.

[MLParkinson]

The latest Comet Lovejoy imaged from the outer suburbs of Sydney last night, 18-19 December 2014. The best sub-frames were recorded after midnight when many people had switched off their LED Christmas lights and other floodlights. The first image is a simple average of 30 x 3 minute sub-frames recorded starting at midnight. Sigma clipping was used for the second image. The second image was over-stretched to emphasise very faint tails. Notice the very broad and exceedingly faint tail almost horizontal in the image. I count at least 6 different tails. Not bad considering how bright the sky was in Sydney last night.

Higher resolution versions:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mlparkinson/16053668742/in/photostream/


Technical details: Televue NP127is at f/5.2, QSI683wsg camera with Astronomik Luminance filter, 3 minute sub-frames, 30 for the “average” image and 63 for the “sigma clipping” image.

[cometcatcher]

Holy cow! Look at that tail! :eyepop:

[algwat]

Good images Murray,

you have 3 minute subs, if you can make one look like John's image, then try to make an animation of all your images. No need to align them. But you may need to logscale or stretch the images to see the tail a bit better.

I would be interested to see if the result shows tail dynamics

Doesn't matter if it does not look perfect....
kind regards, Alan

[cometcatcher]

The tail is quite different every night. A very dynamic object indeed.

[gaa_ian]

I saw it for the first time Friday night and i will certainly be watching this one closely. What is the current magnitude estimate & how bright is it expected to get ?

[dvj]

Here's a nice little website on the comet.
http://theskylive.com/c2014q2-info

[gaa_ian]

Thanks John, seems it is listed at Mag 7.5, but I have heard it is Mag 5 ? When I observed it I could see a faint greenness to it !

[JohnG]

From last night (20/12/14)

Stack of 5 x 60 seconds.

Normal Luminance and stretched Invert.

Cheers

[algwat]

Here is my small effort from last night, clouds scared me in doors I should have stayed out.....:shrug: Could see the tail, but no real details...

For those interested in a canon CR2 raw image processing . There is a plugin for imageJ that will read the file, DCraw , a script can be made process the images.

looks like this,
// read EOS raw images

run("DCRaw Reader...", "open=C:\\Users\\alan\\Pictures\\EOS \\20141220\\2014_12_20_0524.CR2 use_temporary_directory white_balance=[Averaging the entire image] output_colorspace=raw read_as=[16-bit linear] interpolation=[Adaptive Homogeneity-Directed (AHD)] half_size show_metadata");
run("Z Project...", "projection=[Sum Slices]");
selectWindow("SUM_2014_12_20_0524.CR2");
selectWindow("2014_12_20_0524.CR2");
close();
selectWindow("SUM_2014_12_20_0524.CR2");

//

[algwat]

Nice work again, Kevin and john. rgds, Alan

[cometcatcher]

That's cool that you saw some green! Latest visual obs put it at 5.6, 5.4, 5.9 on the COBS site, so in the fives somewhere. Many websites don't update the magnitude predictions and can be out by a wide margin. Best to check the latest reports by skilled visual observers.

[gaa_ian]

Skilled visual observers like yourself Kevin :thumbsup:
I may even go out to a dark site tonight to see If i can see it Naked Eye. I observed it at 26x Magnification with a 4" scope from a light polluted area and found it after a few minutes searching. I will give a telephoto shot a go with my 200mm lens tonight :shrug:

[MLParkinson]

Will do Alan, but it might take me a week. I've produced comet movies in the past, but it takes all day on the computer. I have a week off work soon.

[MLParkinson]

I agree with every one: the structure in Comet Lovejoy’s jets and tails is evolving rapidly, and also brightening. The best is yet to come for this comet. Here are two more images built from 33 x 3 minute subs recorded early this morning, between 02:38 am to 04:37 am EST, 21 December 2014. Again, the first image is a simple average, and the second is an average with sigma clipping applied to suppress the stars and emphasise the faint diffuse multiple jets and tails. I will try to put together some short movies next week when I have some leave.

Higher resolution versions:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mlparkinson/15446157794/

[cometcatcher]

Awesome images Murray!

[cometcatcher]

The clouds only let me have 5 minutes tonight, hence the noise. Better than nothing I guess.

[algwat]

more tail details with less time on the images??
Is it you or the comet...;)

I see a few more images with tail structures becoming resolved.
looking good for an interesting few weeks.

good work again. regards Alan

[cometcatcher]

It's the comet. The tail is becoming more active and brighter every night.

[kkara4]

Gah, really want to start imaging this! clouds every night for past two weeks in BNE.

Great images by all so far, and thanks Kevin for keeping us updated on a nightly basis! It is much appreciated by those of us clouded out :)

[killswitch]

Noticed a bizzare sub, it has a passing satellite cutting through the comet.

http://cdn.astrobin.com/images/thumbs/848482e1441b0d3bbb67ada914fff964.18 24x0_q100_watermark.jpg

[kinetic]

Every session so far in the last week I've had a rude intruder satellite pass
very close to the core of the comet too :)

Great pics so far everyone, fantastic imaging Kevin!

Steve

[JohnG]

Know a few people who got that satellite including myself, was the night of the 19/12.

Cheers

[h0ughy]

fantastic work guys, John i love the intricate detail and scale - fantastic

[kkara4]

Patiently waiting for the clouds to move on a bit, and the comet to increase in elevation a little.

I can confirm at the moment single exposure untracked f/3.5, ISO2000 2s exposure @ 300mm is very easy to get an approx 30' coma and bright core but no hint of tail (a bit of streaking due to exposure time, but was purely a brightness experiment).

This puts it right about the same mag as when I imaged Terry's last comet, approx 5.5.

Will give it a proper go on christmas eve, with camera mounted in place of the guidescope, and proper PA and that sort of thing. Hopefully clear skies for christmas eve!

[cometcatcher]

Good luck with the skies and comet kkara4.

The clouds are driving me crazy here. I can get 30 second subs, but not much more. Had to do a dual stack to get enough time on it since the clouds were not going to let me do a consecutive run. This is between about 8 and 9pm EST.

[kkara4]

Cheers Kevin, even with clear skies im hitting the light pollution wall at its present elevation at 9pm :(. Cant stay up too late coz of work the next day...Christmas Eve is another matter though :P. Fingers crossed it is clear.

[Camelopardalis]

Quick and dirty from a single 60 second frame from Friday night with my WO Zenithstar 71mm and 1100D...I've yet to work on the stack from that night.

[cometcatcher]

Nice one Dunk. There is a lot there for a single frame. The stack should be great.

[kkara4]

Well done Dunk! Very nice for a single! Dark sky or suburbia?

[Camelopardalis]

Thanks Kevin!

The stack is...erm...interesting :sadeyes: the noise is reduced in comparison to the single frame, as expected, and the tail is showing more extension, almost out to the left edge of the frame, albeit very faint. But the dark background is showing an effect akin to paint running down the side of the tin :confused2: this is using the stars+comet comet stacking setting on DSS, as the subs were taken over the course of about 30 minutes. Any tips from the master appreciated :D

[Camelopardalis]

Thanks Krishan! This was taken from the ASNSW dark site in central west NSW. I wouldn't expect to see anything like that from here :sadeyes:

[cometcatcher]

Comet tonight with the ED80 and 8" F4. All sorts of tail action happening.

[kkara4]

Thought so Dunk! I hit a light pollution wall here in BNE, so was wondering how you would have done that from suburbia :lol:. Fingers crossed tonight is clear, i intend to be up for quite a while till the comet crosses the meridian into less light pollution.

I might try something different too, imaging at 47x. Less integrated light pollution that way.

[kkara4]

Keep them coming Kev!

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Good work again Kevin!:thumbsup:

You must post a chronology of your images in a montage, that would be great to look at.:)

Cheers,

Justin.

[rustigsmed]

awesome stuff Kevin been enjoying the shots :thumbsup:

[Camelopardalis]

Wow Kevin...that's quite an ion stream now :thumbsup:

[tel.lekatsas]

Great images Kevin and Dunk. Nice to see the different FOV.

[batema]

174922Hi,

I had great plans and decided after reading how to stack LRGB comets I thought I would have a crack. I used SBIG 8300M and did L 60s, R 60s, G 30s and B 30s. I did 15 loops using maxim DL. Shot through W/O Flt110.

The article I read did not use DSS but I thought I would have a crack anyway. I did not do any darks and camera was set to -30c. I used the stack both comets and stars button and registered all frames on comet. Stacked separately. I did guide on the comet with a 15 second gap between each shot.

My luminance has streaking from top left to bottom right as shown and the RGB well the comet looks like a dumbbell and I have no idea how to use a reference frame so they all stack.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Luminance image only shown below.

Mark :mad2:

[cometcatcher]

I'm afraid I don't know how to solve dual stacking problems. I'll have to do more research on the problem. Due to all the cloud here I don't get enough time for the comet to trail anyway!

Last night's pic. Only 8 x 30 seconds. That's all the cloud would give.

[kkara4]

Great again Kev nonetheless! keep them coming. All over for BNE now, unless it outbursts, till second week of Jan..:sadeyes:. didnt even get a proper attempt on it :sadeyes:. ah well fingers crossed i can attempt it at its best :)

[cometcatcher]

Merry Cometmas! Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) December 25.

A nice stretch of clear sky here in Mackay but at the end had to run in due to showers!

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Good stuff Kevin!:thumbsup:

What a great gift for Christmas. :)

Cheers,

Justin.

[algwat]

onya kevin,
relax and have a good boxing day...8)

[cometcatcher]

It is sooo hot here in Mackay. Even the night time temps are around 30. It does nothing to help uncooled camera noise. Not to mention I was sweating like a pig the whole time. Have to drink heaps of water just to stay hydrated. I think my camera and I prefer that the comets come in winter.

[Rigel003]

Nice image Kevin. Every one is different as the tail develops. ...and it takes a serious obsession with astronomy to be imaging on Xmas day.

[Camelopardalis]

Nice tail action there Kevin :thumbsup: the things we do for science ;)

[cometcatcher]

Comet December 26. Kinky tail. The tail changes so quickly. I think 10 minutes of subs is about all one could take without motion blur in the tail.

[algwat]

That's the good one Kevin.

I would be interested to see a b/w inverted and stretched a little.
And if any one has similar shots around Kevin's time 1130ut -/+ 1hr.

Skippy sky is saying I should have clear sky tonight, so I'll try for a longer sequence in my poor lp sky.

kind regards, Alan

[cometcatcher]

Here's the stretched - inverted image Alan. I actually have a set of subs 30 minutes prior to this image but I've been slow to process them. Had a bad night after eating something that gave me indigestion and I'm a bit tired after tossing and turning all night.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Your still getting good images despite the heat Kevin!:thumbsup:

I've been lucky, had a run of cool night temps.

Cheers,

Justin.

[cometcatcher]

I'm jealous. No more cool nights here until April! My pics are very noisy from the heat.

[algwat]

Tried 3x3min subs, but shows up my poor alignments and camera foos, need a clean. Good news though I can see the tail.
Lots more 60sec subs to play with, nice cool mild weather here, and I can convince my self that I can see the comet in 7x50 bino's

kind regards, Alan

[Tinderboxsky]

Tonight I saw the tail for the first time visually. I could only see it by moving the telescope. The tail was quite distinct during the movement in the field of view. It was too difficult to discern any features - it was just a very faint diffuse grey.

The sighting was with a 140mm refractor using a 7mm eyepiece giving 114X. Seeing was 5/5 and transparency very close to 7/7 with the moon having set some time ago. All in all the sky was quite spectacular.

Cheers

Steve.

[MLParkinson]

These two images reveal how rapidly the tail structure was evolving during the night of 21-22 December 2014. The first image was built from a stack of 24 frames, each 150 s. Sigma clipping was applied to suppress the stars. The second image was built from a stack of 14 frames, each 150 s. The tail structure is sharper in the second image. Roughly 10 frames was near to the maximum before the tail structure began to blur due to motion. If you toggle between the two images, and use a little imagination, you will discern the movement of structure from right to left.

Image A: 24 frames x 150 s, 23:19 pm 21 December to 00:44 am 22 December 2014

Image B: 14 frames x 150 s, 01:36 am to 02:13 am, 22 December 2014

Higher resolution versions:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mlparkinson/16121725202/in/photostream/

[algwat]

My processed 25x60 sec subs, regards Alan.

[algwat]

nice work Murray, the blink test works well. rgds, Alan

[cometcatcher]

Nice ones Murray and Alan.

Was a bit too cloudy last night and I was tired so gave it a miss. But I only have one or two nights left before the big bad moon comes along. Still a lot of cloud about today though so tonight is not looking good.

Don't forget the conjunction with M79 tomorrow night.

[cometcatcher]

Nice bright tail tonight. Bad weather coming. If they're right it may be my last image for a while.

[CometGuy]

Great compilation there Kevin!

Terry

[algwat]

my effort last night, a small avi at end of my blog, rgds, Alan
http://cometal-comets.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/one-fadinganother-rising.html

[Doogs38]

Yep, dam annoying! I did manage to get one night of viewing Lovejoy several days ago and was astonished that I could see the tail visually with my dob. Admittedly it was faint, but still discernable & distinct against the background. I was a very happy lad :-)

[kkara4]

hmm, if the clouds disappear anytime soon, ill give the eyepiece a whirl first! Or ill use my essentially 6x105 monocular :P

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Terry!

Nice image Alan. Last night was cloudy with lightning on the horizon. More storms forecast for tonight. The Moon is growing brighter too.

[algwat]

So, can any of us do as good as this dramatic image from Gerald Rhemann taken in Namibia. We can try that is all we can do...... regards, Alan

28.Dec – 6 Panel mosaic!!
http://www.astrostudio.at/2_Bright%20Comets.php?img=images/2_Bright%20Comets/266_2014Q2_28_12.jpg

[kkara4]

:eyepop::eyepop::eyepop::eyepop:

[tornado33]

Heres my go at tail enhancement from last nights image
Scott

[algwat]

I wanted to rearrange my equipment to use a 300mm lens on the EOS450D.
But, discovered that it no longer had fine focus, after a small bounce on concrete...8(

So, a quick trip to cash converter, found this 500mm lens with T2 end.
Only $69, no hageling....

looks ok but need further play time....lovejoy image attached, moon and high cloud.

kind regards, alan

[MLParkinson]

Here is my attempt at the Comet Lovejoy conjunction with M79 and NGC 1886 on 29th December 2014. The luminance data are based upon 5 sub frames, each an exposure of 2 minutes at 1x1 binning. The RGB data are based upon single exposures of 40, 40 and 60 seconds at 2x2 binning.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mlparkinson/15973552558/

[MLParkinson]

I lay rubber mats under and around my set-up. They have saved many cameras, eyepieces and lenses.

[cometcatcher]

Beautiful Murray. :thumbsup: Good idea about the mats too.

I have one of those lenses Alan. It's okay for the price I guess. A bit slow for astro use I find.

[algwat]

umm rubber mats a good option...

The Orion Star shoot auto guider slaps right on the back so now I have a very off axis guiding solution to work on.

[MLParkinson]

Here are two Comet Lovejoy images built from 10 luminance frames of 60 seconds recorded commencing 00:45 EST on 30th December 2014. The 10 frames were aligned on the stars for the first image, and on the comet nucleus for the second image.

The ion tail was sweeping across the faint edge-on spiral galaxy NGC1886 during the image sequence.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mlparkinson/16179931275/in/photostream/

[cometcatcher]

Nice one Murray. I haven't seen it for a few days now.

[astronobob]

A Very Off Axis Guider :rofl: Classic :thumbsup:

[kkara4]

Really quick and dirty, 5D MK III, f/2.8, 300mm right at end of astro twilight, ISO 2000, moon past full but low elevation. 2.5s exposure, 7 image stack.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z377/kkara4/Space/Q2_zpsceb1d662.jpg

First clear night in ages and i thought what the hell, may as well give it a shot - and im glad i did :thumbsup:.

Only curves and contrast adjustments...tail has brightened significantly for me since last week, to be able to capture it (no detail but meh)

[cometcatcher]

That's a nice one for the short time given Krishan.

[kkara4]

Thanks Kevin, can't wait for the weekend and hopefully clear evenings too! If you get some time and clear skies tonight or tomorrow night, keen to see what you can achieve just before moonrise!

[cometcatcher]

The skies are rotten here mate. Might be a chance on the weekend here too if the forecast holds.

Not looking forward to the mossies after all the rain we've had.

[gaa_ian]

Happy new Year All, I have been off the grid over Xmas New Year !
Great to see the comet brightening so much, but there has been no chance from Cairns either, with the much needed rain finally arriving
I am heading west again though, so i am hoping for clearer skies out there. How many degrees does the Ion tail cover ?

[cometcatcher]

None in moonlight!

Now this is just plain silly. Comet C/2014 Q2 Lovejoy handheld. Don't need no stinking telescope or tripod. :P 2015 January 7 about 1300UT, Pentax K-5 handheld, 30+ year old 28mm F2.8 el-cheapo Kmart lens, 2 x 0.5 second for a total of 1 second exposure, ISO 51200.

[kkara4]

Nice Kevin! Looks like it will be clear tonight in BNE, fingers crossed. Will get all da gear out to image.

[killswitch]

haha nice.

I can easily spot it with my tiny 10x25 binos.

[cometcatcher]

Comet C./2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) January 8. Near to close approach now.

Bigger at astrobin. ---> http://astrob.in/146721/0/

[algwat]

nice one Kevin,
similar tail structures to others seen on twitter and spaceweather.com.

Did you guys see this one from Japan. http://spaceweathergallery.com/indiv_upload.php?upload_id=106136

Lucky meteor trail, but the interesting thing is how he oriented the camera and made the movie with his good camera? any local think we can do the same when the weather clears?

Also, has anyone seen or heard of any major Oz observatories pointing at this comet ? would like to see some images....

[cometcatcher]

I've seen a lot of spectacular images on Facebook from the iTelescopes at Siding Springs and Fritz Hemmerich with his Sony A7s.

If you mean the big pro telescopes, I don't think they could fit it in. It's too big!

[plantnerd]

Great Stuff Kevin excellent image scale for this comet with the 200X800mm F4.0 Newt. I am looking at getting one of these scopes with suitable coma corrector and EQ mount.

Check out my shots from last night with wider 300mm equivalent field and F2.0 aperture.

[rustigsmed]

fantastic shot Kevin, unfortunately Melbourne has been clouded out for about a week and forecast for another week of rain and cloud - living vicariously through these posts!

[doppler]

Great pic Kevin, had a go last night with camera and tripod, would have loved to get some tracking but every other cloud had a bit of rain with it so didn't bother with a full setup. There is still a few weeks till its closest arpoach to the sun so it might still have something visual to offer. The weather tonight is looking a bit more promising.

Rick

[cometcatcher]

Unfortunately Mackay radar tonight is showing incoming showers right after dark. Then we don't have a lot of time before the moon rises. Going to have to play tonight by ear.

In the longer term, yes the tail is likely to become even more active as it nears perihelion on January 30.

[Mick]

Lovely image Kevin.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Mick!

Weird weather. Big shower as predicted then cleared up nicely. Even got a couple of other DSO's. Tonight's 2014 Q2. Tail is much weaker tonight.

[cometcatcher]

Comet tonight. Lots of tail streamers.

Edit, and a slighter better repo with 23 x 30 seconds.

[algwat]

I think your getting better at this 8).
really nice to see a tail has widened and is very variable.

kind regards, Alan

[cometcatcher]

It's not an easy object to process Alan but I guess one gets better with practice. Hope so anyway lol.

[cometcatcher]

A bit different from my usual. Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) January 12 2015.

[skysurfer]

From here, last Saturday night, a try.

30 sec on ISO 6400, 6d, 70-300L @ 300, f/5.6 single frame, *better* result than stacked one .....

north = right.

[algwat]

Well that is me done for this comet. Lost to my industrial light pollution and local street light. The weather beat me in the last attempt, read the clouds wrong. Great job Kevin and others on this long thread of good images made by us general public.

Kind regards, Alan Watson.

[cometcatcher]

You even have some tail in the single Skysurfer. Well done.

I lose the comet in 2 weeks Alan, clouds willing. But every night now it's drifting further into the LP as it heads into my busy road direction.

[Camelopardalis]

Wow Kevin, that latest is a cracker with a bang even louder than all your previous :thumbsup:

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Dunk.

[cometcatcher]

Fighting high level cloud and even lightning for this pairing of Comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) and the Pleiades. Glad I persisted, especially since it's been stormy for a few days. Could see some tail in 7 x 50 binoculars also.

[h0ughy]

most excellent imaging Kevin:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Dave. Only just got it in time. It's raining now.

[kkara4]

Great effort Kevin, ill be processing mine today! Definitely got some tail, just have to figure out how to get rid of the light pollution properly

[Paul Haese]

Very nice shot with the Pleiades Kevin. Good colour.

[cometcatcher]

I have the same problem. The comet is drifting into a sea of street lights. I could move the scope closer to the swamp, but don't want to contend with the mossies and snakes.



Thanks Paul. Glad I could get this conjunction with all the cloud we are having.

[geolindon]

Kevin,

that is a CORKER!

thanks again L.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Lindon.

[nebulosity.]

Awesome shot there Kevin :thumbsup:

Cheers
Jo

[Camelopardalis]

Indeed, beautiful Kevin :thumbsup:

[PeterEde]

Possibly the last of 2nd last night of Lovejoy from my back yard.

[tel.lekatsas]

Great images Kevin. Love the details in the tail on January 12.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks guys. Shooted it with the ED80 tonight as I haven't imaged it through that scope yet.

[h0ughy]

still enjoying these:thumbsup:

[cometcatcher]

Thanks Dave. The fun ends in about a week as it flies north!

[killswitch]

Not really sure on how to process the tail to pop out more,

Heres my go, about 30mins worth with the ED100

[cometcatcher]

Nothing wrong with that Ed. :thumbsup:

[astronobob]

Grouse Thread Kevin, totally enjoyed going through it, Lol . awesome capturing by yourself and others too :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Dam this East Coast Low, doubt i see too much more of it untill sunk deep in the murkness ? ?

[cometcatcher]

Yeah same here Bob. Only a few days left before the street lights get it and the wet season has set in. Not likely to see it again but we've had a good run, got some nice photos and memories.

[algwat]

thought you guys would like this from comet-images yahoo group. rgds, alan

Hello,
Here is an animation over 3.5 hours of the tail of Comet Lovejoy taken from data from Jan 20.
http://www.paquettefamily.ca/astro/lovejoy/

There is quite a bit of detail and change over this time span.

Cheers, Andre Paquette

[nebulosity.]

That is absolutely insane! Wow.

Jo

[cometcatcher]

Nice. Oh to have 3 hours of uninterrupted clear sky.

[gaa_ian]

That is totally awesome !

[cometcatcher]

Clear night last night! Comet is very low now but got one last shot with the ED80.