McNaught and the Moon

[[1ponders]]

Well it was always going to be a challenge to get the exposure right. Let's see...the moon at mag -10.6 and McNaught at mag 7.7...that makes a difference of 18.3 mag or in other words the moon was approx 2,060,768 times brighter and only 25 or so arcmin away from the comet. :lol:

Well here's the result. I used my trusty ol' 300D and the ED80 & WO 0.8 reducer combo and started at 30 sec exp at ISO 800 and worked my way down the exposure level. The 8 sec exposure managed to get the moon in and not completely swamp McNaught.

Just so you can see that it really was a comet, I've layered a DMK shot taken through a 72mm WO. A total of 40/160 frames @ 4 sec exposure each. A quick stack in Registax 4 and tonal touch up in PS. The widefield also received a quick adjustment as well.

To top it off this shot just happened ( :whistle: ) to have a meteor careen through it as well.

BTW, I didn't have a snowflakes chance in hell of seeing it visually :lol:

[h0ughy]

wow Paul, earth shine, satellite and a comet and stars - you are a legend!! sent that off to space weather

[[1ponders]]

:lol: Thanks Dave.

I could be a satellite I guess, but a meteor sounds more poetic. :lol:

[RB]

That's an awesome shot Paul, fantastic work.
And that's not a meteor, it's Chinese space junk in an uncontrolled burn. :whistle:
Even better hah? :lol:

[[1ponders]]

Ok I just checked and it could have been Iridium 921.....but I'm only saying "could have been" ;)

[[1ponders]]

I like your idea better RB. :lol:

[[1ponders]]

Here's a full size crop so you can see the comet better. There is even a hint of blue colour there.

[Liz]

Amazing Paul, well done :thumbsup:

[Deeno]

Would not have thought it possible.....
Brilliant image!

[StephenM]

Great shot Paul! Well done.

I had a quick go as well, just using a tripod-mounted K100D and 300mm telephoto. The result is no where near as impressive as Paul's, but I think I can make out a faint smudge where the comet should be (based on Paul's image). The smudge in question is circled. Am I just imagining it?

Cheers,
Stephen

[Kevnool]

Great work there Paul....cheers Kev.

[Ric]

Well done Paul, a great image. There is something for everyone in this one.

Cheers

[RB]

Amazing that you picked up colour on it too, well done Paul !


You've done well too Stephen.

:thumbsup: