Jerry_Lodriguss
22-12-2015, 02:36 AM
We have a reasonably bright comet that is visible this Christmas week.
Comet C/2013 US10 (Catalina) exhibits two tails in this image taken on December 20, 2015.
http://www.astropix.com/C2013_US10_Catalina.html
Click on the image or link to see a larger version with more information.
Right now, it bright enough to be easily visible in binoculars from a reasonably dark observing location.
Interestingly, this comet will only be visible once in our lifetimes as it is currently headed out of the solar system in a hyperbolic orbit and its velocity is not great enough to escape the Sun’s gravity.
This is a single 10-minute exposure shot with a 5-inch refractor at f/4.7 at ISO 800 with the scope tracking on the comet’s nucleus, which is why the stars are trailed.
Comet C/2013 US10 (Catalina) exhibits two tails in this image taken on December 20, 2015.
http://www.astropix.com/C2013_US10_Catalina.html
Click on the image or link to see a larger version with more information.
Right now, it bright enough to be easily visible in binoculars from a reasonably dark observing location.
Interestingly, this comet will only be visible once in our lifetimes as it is currently headed out of the solar system in a hyperbolic orbit and its velocity is not great enough to escape the Sun’s gravity.
This is a single 10-minute exposure shot with a 5-inch refractor at f/4.7 at ISO 800 with the scope tracking on the comet’s nucleus, which is why the stars are trailed.