Suzy
05-01-2016, 11:26 PM
*** HEADS UP- Comet C/2013 X1 PanSTARRS in OUTBURST. ***
193044
193045
Hi everyone :hi:, I just put this heads up on our facebook page, so for the comet observers/imagers out there, good luck, go get 'em! :astron:
I've been watching lots of obs and images coming in over the last 24 hours and now seems indeed that comet PanSTARRS has gone into outburst and looks like it's continuing to brighten.
Currently reported at magnitude +8. Earlier yesterday reports were coming in at +8.3 and +8.2. These images of X1 Panstarrs were taken by Justin Tilbrook and shows the difference in brightening from his 1st image on 28/12/15 to the 2nd image on Jan. 9th 2015.
Chris Wyatt in NSW reported its magnitude on Dec 30th at -+10.
Around Jan 1st, reports were coming in around +9.
All observers are noticing the coma to be much brighter and larger than before.
Neil Norman (comet writer & founder of fb's Comet Watch group) from the U.K gives a great visual obs comparison, here's his report:
Comet observation 4/01/16. 18.00 UT.
C/2013 X1 ( PanSTARRS ).
04/01/16. 20.00 UT.
m1 = 8, Dia = 7.5, DC = 5.
114mm ref, f / 8, X45.
Outburst!
As mentioned by Terry (Lovejoy) earlier today, the comet is in definite outburst. The comet is stunning and possibly a tad higher than mag 8. The best way to describe it to someone who hasn't seen it but has seen C/2013 US10 ( Catalina ) is imagine Catalina 1.5 mag dimmer and .5' smaller and that's what C/2013 X1 PanSTARRS looks like.
The coma was larger and more condensed than on the 29th , with a stellar-like central point, not seen by myself before. Being an Oort cloud comet this outburst will no doubt fade quickly, so if you have clear skies please do get out and see it.
Neil's observation of the 29th December indicated the following values; m1 = 9, Dia = 4, DC = 4.
D = 1.85 AU. Relative velocity = 38.7 km/s.
r = 2.02 AU. Relative velocity = 29.6 km/s.
Height = 55°. Pegusus.
Angular separation from sun = 85.2°.
Observations courtesy of Neil Norman, Ipswich, England.
Image Credit: Justin Tilbrook
800mm focal length - 200mm f/4 astrograph. Both images are cropped.
Clear skies to all, it's going to be interesting watching this comet in the days to come.:stargaze:
193044
193045
Hi everyone :hi:, I just put this heads up on our facebook page, so for the comet observers/imagers out there, good luck, go get 'em! :astron:
I've been watching lots of obs and images coming in over the last 24 hours and now seems indeed that comet PanSTARRS has gone into outburst and looks like it's continuing to brighten.
Currently reported at magnitude +8. Earlier yesterday reports were coming in at +8.3 and +8.2. These images of X1 Panstarrs were taken by Justin Tilbrook and shows the difference in brightening from his 1st image on 28/12/15 to the 2nd image on Jan. 9th 2015.
Chris Wyatt in NSW reported its magnitude on Dec 30th at -+10.
Around Jan 1st, reports were coming in around +9.
All observers are noticing the coma to be much brighter and larger than before.
Neil Norman (comet writer & founder of fb's Comet Watch group) from the U.K gives a great visual obs comparison, here's his report:
Comet observation 4/01/16. 18.00 UT.
C/2013 X1 ( PanSTARRS ).
04/01/16. 20.00 UT.
m1 = 8, Dia = 7.5, DC = 5.
114mm ref, f / 8, X45.
Outburst!
As mentioned by Terry (Lovejoy) earlier today, the comet is in definite outburst. The comet is stunning and possibly a tad higher than mag 8. The best way to describe it to someone who hasn't seen it but has seen C/2013 US10 ( Catalina ) is imagine Catalina 1.5 mag dimmer and .5' smaller and that's what C/2013 X1 PanSTARRS looks like.
The coma was larger and more condensed than on the 29th , with a stellar-like central point, not seen by myself before. Being an Oort cloud comet this outburst will no doubt fade quickly, so if you have clear skies please do get out and see it.
Neil's observation of the 29th December indicated the following values; m1 = 9, Dia = 4, DC = 4.
D = 1.85 AU. Relative velocity = 38.7 km/s.
r = 2.02 AU. Relative velocity = 29.6 km/s.
Height = 55°. Pegusus.
Angular separation from sun = 85.2°.
Observations courtesy of Neil Norman, Ipswich, England.
Image Credit: Justin Tilbrook
800mm focal length - 200mm f/4 astrograph. Both images are cropped.
Clear skies to all, it's going to be interesting watching this comet in the days to come.:stargaze: