Cometes Swan M4

[thierry]

hello,good mag 4.4 in france ,lens 200 mm f/d=4 9x45mn at 800 iso:rofl: http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/3721/swanfinalece9.jpg

[iceman]

Wow, lovely image! Is the comet visible for us downunder? I haven't even looked!

[chrissara]

Hmm, don't quote me, but I thought I read the comet was better viewing for the Northern Hemisphere than DownUnder.

I also thought I read that the mag. here in Australia would be around 8-10. I am amazed that it could be 4-5. Methinks it is time to have a looksie. From memory it is in the NW near Bootes last week.

[chrissara]

Oh and another thing, I cannot believe how Thierry takes these photos!! I was amzed to find he doesn't use a scope and just straight out use his camera and the eq. mount. Brilliant stuff. Surely he must use some telephoto lens or something similar?

[Garyh]

Thats a good one Thierry! didn`t realise there was a mag 4 comet visible
Good work!

[RB]

Beautiful shot, well done.

[Ric]

What a ripper image Thierry, that is one top shot.

well done

[[1ponders]]

Great shot!!!!


I've just checked for down under. Swan M4 is between Hercules and Bootes and around Mag 8. Unfortunately it sets in the NW, here north of Bris Vegas at sunset :( so no imagine opportunity atm.

It will get higher over the next couple of months but is predicted to fade to around less than 11 mag by mid Dec. (According to SN)

Image is of it's current location

[[1ponders]]

Here's a screen shot of how thierry might be seeing the comet (Set for Paris at 20:00 local time). Nice and high and not quite circumpolar.

[iceman]

The mag 8 is outdated, I think. Spaceweather is reporting a sudden brightening to mag 4.5!

[[1ponders]]

Is that for here Mike or Nth Hemisphere?

[RB]

Interesting, I'd have thought it'd be the same

mmm learn something new every day.

:thumbsup:

[iceman]

Same, RB, same.. :shrug:

:D

[RB]

yep got my sunnies out and just had a good look at it.
Beautiful tale, this one.

It's best time to view it is 2 pm !!!!! for the S.H
No wonder it's got a different mag.......:rofl:

[[1ponders]]

I suppose both, but the reason I ask is that I updated my cometary and asteroid elements for SN last night and 8+ was the mag that was given :shrug:

[fringe_dweller]

lovely thierry, thanks for that! :) you lucky guys in the NH!
yep it underwent an outburst from around mag 6 or 7 or so on the weekend to, some reported at one stage, to around mag 4! naked eye brightening/outbursts of comets of 2 or 3 mags in size being pretty rare of course.

[Lee]

Nice pic.... There has been a few good pics of this on CN - I think it is a northern object :(
All I want for Christmas is a naked eye comet! PLEEEEEASE!!! :D

[thierry]

la comete swan c/2006 m4 was 4 times more brilliant then saturday october 21,very quite visible with the binoculars,and visible a the naked eye under a good sky:rofl:

[chrissara]

Oui. C'est tres bon.

[atalas]

Nice capture Thierry !