M4 Swan

[Outbackmanyep]

Hey everyone!

I have received reports that comet C/2006 M4 SWAN nucleus has split!
We should be able to see this comet low in the north-west after sunset, i havent been able to spot it yet ( clouds ), anyone had any luck having a look for this comet??

Cheers!

PS....THE U2 CONCERT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!:D :thumbsup:

[Outbackmanyep]

Also here is a finder chart

http://www.skyhound.com/sh/comets/2006_M4.gif

[ving]

not yet, but i should!@ :)

thanks for the heads up :)

[astroron]

:hi: There was no sign of splitting on Saturday night in the 16", did not observe last night , will give it a go tonight weather permitting, cheers for the information::thumbsup

[Outbackmanyep]

Hey!
I got to see it last night, still very diffuse and was hard to estimate mag as it was in the twilight, then a tree got in the way, but it had a slight tail extending east from what i could see, it was very small tho in the 10" dob. Didn't see an elongated coma but i need to take a longer look at it!

[RB]

Thanks for the report OBMyep, could you tell if it has split by any chance?

[Tamtarn]

Thanks for the finder chart OBMY :thumbsup:

[Outbackmanyep]

Hey RB!
I couldnt tell from my observation if it had split, but i do get emails sent from the Yahoo comet group that there has been splitting going on!
It went through an outburst last month and has brightened to naked eye visibility but unfortunately us southerners didnt get a chance to see it at all until now, it is fading.

Maik Meyer emailed the group and i get the new emails sent to my address, in his email it said "IAUC 8772 reports the detection of a "detached-coma feature located 3".4 from the
nuclear condensation of comet C/2006 M4 (corresponding to 2700 km
at a geocentric distance of 1.10 AU)"

There was some pics posted as well from other members....
www.konradhorn.de (http://www.konradhorn.de)

Hope this helps!
:)

[astroron]

Clouds again tonight:( so no observing :mad2: Hopfully tomorrow:)

[Outbackmanyep]

I did a sketch last week of M4 SWAN :)

This is what i saw through my 10" Dob.
Hope you all like it!

Cheers!

[fringe_dweller]

I like it very much OBMkenobi - looove sketches such as yours, it shows you (obviously) a comet from the visual human side, which is quite different *usually* from a cold dry scientific deep dslr/ccd image - something refreshing and warm and fuzzy about sketches - like hot chocolate or soup late on a cold night! I really like your style and enthuisiasm mate :thumbsup:

[Outbackmanyep]

Cheers F_D!

I actually got a sketch book at home i found from 1996 when i saw Hale-Bopp through my little 60mm refractor! I Should scan it and show everyone!
I was living in Penrith at the time and i didnt really understand what an effect sketches can have but it was something to do cos i couldnt take photo's, i was too young to have enough money to afford a larger scope and camera!

Thanks again! :D

[fringe_dweller]

yeh keep 'em coming OBMY, I'd love a squiz at the H-B sketch mate :thumbsup: I saw H-B in '97 low in the west, impressive sight eh!

Mate, Are you keeping a beady eye, like me and many others, on the progress of C/2006 P1 (McNaught)? I see today someone has it at mag 8 - 1 ahead of ephemeris! and STILL with nice bright consistent tight solid cc , here we go, here we go here we go here we go .... (the comet song) :cool: :cool: :rockband: :sunny: :love: :party2: :party: :party: and its all ours, a southern loverly BWHAHAHAHHAHAHHAA and its an AUSSIE comet tooboot oi oi oi,
please please :prey: :prey: :prey:
for a hint of what is possible at the least, see my avatar :) its V1 mkII me hopes, ooooooo i do love a sungrazer.
I probably just ruined its prospects, kiss of death? :sad:

note: this is a jinx free message :prey:

[Outbackmanyep]

[quote=fringe_dweller]yeh keep 'em coming OBMY, I'd love a squiz at the H-B sketch mate :thumbsup: I saw H-B in '97 low in the west, impressive sight eh!


Hey F_D!
I havent got out to view that comet yet, i downloaded and printed out the finder chart, its still in Ophiuchus and i have to consult my star wheel to see if its visible in evening or morning sky....

I did get out to photograph C/2006 L1 Garradd on Sunday morning early, i didnt sketch that one but will do so when i get the next opportunity.

C/2006 L1 Garradd
Limit mag= 6.0+
Transparency= 6/10 ( very greenish and wishy washy background sky )
Est mag=8.5
Est Dia=3'
DC=5

No tail was evident, i had to use low power (25mm) through my 8" SCT to see the central condensation as higher powers did not show it effectively, but there was a small point of light in the 25mm.
the comet is currently in Cancer and isnt too hard to find, i couldnt see it in my 7x50's or my finderscope, but that was prolly due to the background sky being very greenish.
there was no sky fog from town lights in Walcha as all the power had been cut cos Country Energy were replacing substation bits :D

Have you tried for L1 Garradd??? ( i believe its an aussie comet too!)

I TOO WANT A HUGE SOUTHERN COMET TO MAKE THOSE NORTHERNERS JEALOUS!

Cheers!

[fringe_dweller]

I havent viewed it either Chris, I just follow the obs reports on the net atm, if i want to know where a comet is located time of day wise, and I havent already studied the form and downloaded orbital elements for planetarium ect. I just look at Seiichi Yoshida's pages for a reminder of favourable part of the day/night

http://www.aerith.net/comet/future-s.html

note: h = 'The h means the highest altitude in that month at lat. 35 deg in the Southern Hemisphere'

plus its in conjunction till mid jan aint it? these guys are going up 5000 mtr mountains to get a look at it atm!, i think.

nice report! love comet obs! its like the test cricket or something, with all the stat's ect.
but I havent looked at L1 Garradd either mate - I live in the suburb's, has to be something special and/or bright for me to bother to look at it, otherwise I have to go for a drive :-(
mag 7-8 and dimmer comets I rarely would look at here, but if I lived somewhere dark I sure would do more observing.

please forgive my ignorance of NSW geography, I take it from your user name you living some where dark (ish)?

[gaa_ian]

Gee fellas I'm getting all fired up about looking for Comets Now :P
I will consult starry night Pro to see if these are good for me in the north :thumbsup:

[gaa_ian]

Certainly worth a look tomorrow night as it will be within 2 Deg of Altair from my latitude, should be an easy find.
Well i hope so as I have an astronomy tour to do in a remote community here in Arnhem Land & 40 odd eager students !

[Outbackmanyep]

Good Luck!
Hope you're able to nail it!
If you're on Daylight saving time like we are in NSW, i noticed it more around about 8:45pm.
Although that was with my 8" SCT, a larger aperture should find it quicker!

Cheers!