Massive Comet Tuttle/M33 photo opportunity on NYE

[tornado33]

Hi
I was watching the SBS movie Supercomet, and then took a pic or a real one, comet Tuttle, and noted it is near Galaxy M33, and is rapidly closing the gap, tomorrow night (NYE) should be the best, so Ive scrapped my NYE plans and will imaging this event, weather permitting. I will call on the 300mm lens to do the deed.
Comet Tuttle and M33 are near top left of my image, which is a stack of 10 six sec. ISO400 images with 50mm f1.8 lens@f1.8, on my unmodded 350D on a tripod.
Screenshot is from Star Atlas Pro showing track of Tuttle
Scott

[iceman]

I had plans to catch them in the same FOV of my ED80 last night (480mm focal length), but clouds and trees ruined my plans :(

I can't see them from home tonight, so I'll leave it to others to get the images! Good luck!

[ballaratdragons]

Yep, I got an email from Spaceweather informing me that tonight Tuttle might pass through M33!!!!!!! Great Astrophotography opportunity.

From Spaceweather email:

"On Jan. 1 and 2, 2008, it makes its closest approach to Earth--only 24 million miles away.
Two nights before closest approach, on Dec. 30th and 31st, something extraordinary will happen: Comet 8P/Tuttle has a beautiful close encounter with spiral galaxy M33. The comet and the galaxy may even overlap! This is a can't-miss opportunity for astrophotographers around the world."

Get those cameras a clickin' :thumbsup:
I'll be trying for it :)

[bojan]

Well.. overlapping will happen but this event will not be visible from our longitudes...

[iceman]

The northern hemisphere get the (almost) overlap. There's already some images of it on spaceweather!

[tornado33]

Hi all
Here it is. As I was setting up Alan brought round Hoghys cooled camera and lightbox (thanks fellas), for some thermal noise free imaging. The northern sky was VERY bright with the air moist, low cloud to the south tyhankfully little to the north.
First pic is 12x2 mins ISO200
2nd is 7x2mins ISO800 with UHC-S filter. It cuts down the galaxy but lets comet light through.

Both taken with the 300mm f2.8 lens from Bert, and Houghys cooled DSLR. Sensor temp 7 degrees. Processed in Iris and photoshop.
Scott

[davidpretorius]

excellent scott

[glenc]

Thanks Scott, an excellent image.

[RB]

Well done Scott !!
I can just imagine how bright the sky is around NYE. :(

[iceman]

Well done, Scott. Gee Tuttle is moving fast.

[ballaratdragons]

Nicely done, Scott :thumbsup:

I was washed out by 2/10 Transparency :sadeyes: so I didn't get a chance to see it.

[h0ughy]

nice work SCott- better use the spellcheck next time. How much of a difference did my camera make? wasthe lightbox functional?

Gee that comet is hiking!!!

The conditions in Newcastle were not favourable with some low cloud and heavy smog/vapour inthe air- seeing was ****e, as to the transparancy.

[glenc]

I like this movie.
http://www.spaceweather.com/comets/tuttle/31dec07/Xiang-Zhan1.gif

[Ric]

Wonderful images Scott, you've done a great job with them.

Cheers

[gaa_ian]

Great Image Scott !
That Spaceweather Movie is a good one too Glen.
Of Course the wet season has well and truely set in up here with lows and Cyclones all over northern Australia.

[Outbackmanyep]

Beautifully captured Scott!

Well done! :cheers:

[Tamtarn]

What an opportunity for a great image. Captured it perfectly Scott :thumbsup:

Also thanks for the link Glen.