Comet Obs 17th to 20th March 2010

[Outbackmanyep]

Comet Observations 17th to 20th March 2010

29P/ Schwassmann-Wachmann


2010 March 17.41 UT; m1= 11.4; Dia= 5.1’; DC= 2; 25cm L, f:5 (x39)
No tail, coma diffuse, close to bright star.
Comp Star= TYC 826-901-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ


2010 March 18.44 UT; m1= 11.1; Dia= 6.4’; DC= 1/2; 25cm L, f:5 (x39)
No tail, coma appears circular, faint diffuse edge that gradually brightens toward the centre.
Comp Star= TYC 825-736-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ

2010 March 19.50 UT; m1= 11.9; Dia= 5.4’; DC= 1; 20cm T, f:6 (x39)
No tail.
Comp Star= GSC-0825-0404; Method= S; Cat= HS

81P/ Wild 2


2010 March 18.69 UT; m1= 9.5; Dia= 5.3’; DC= 5; 25cm L, f:5 (x39)
Broad tail in PA 270, 19’ in length using averted vision, 7’ visible direct, inner coma slightly elongated WNW to ESE.
Comp Star= TYC 4892-238-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ

2010 March 19.51 UT; m1= 9.3; Dia= 5.4’; DC= 5/6; 20cm T, f:6 (x39)
Tail to West (PA 270), 38’ in length using averted vision.
Comp Star= TYC 4982-184-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ

C/2009 K5 McNaught


2010 March 18.72 UT; m1= 8.9; Dia= 5’; DC= 5; 25cm L, f:5 (x39)
Coma circular, no tail, background star in coma.
Comp Star= TYC 1042-2041-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ

2010 March 19.73 UT; m1= 8.2; Dia= 5.8’; DC= 5; 20cm T, f:6 (x39)
No tail, coma slightly elongated to SW.
Comp Star= TYC 1046-380-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ

65P/ Gunn


2010 March 18.74 UT; m1= 13.8; Dia= 0.75’; DC= 1/2; 25cm L, f:5 (x139)
No tail, very diffuse, visible using averted vision.
Comp Star= GSC-6893-0637; Method= S; Cat= HS

Cheers! :thumbsup:

[ngcles]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the heads up mate -- 81P/Wild seems like an inviting target at the moment with a bit of a tail. Well placed as well -- not too early in the morning ...

I've just noticed 81P/Wild will make a fairly close pass to the small 11th magnitude eg NGC 5493 around the 17th April -- only about 10 arc-mins in it. Could be interesting to image or view on or around that date.

NGC 5493 Galaxy *
RA: 14h 11m 29.4s Dec: -05° 02' 35"
Mag: 12.3 (B) S.B.: --- B-V: +0.87 Size: 1.6'x1.2'
Class: S0 pec sp P.A.: 120 Inclination: --- R.V.: +2627 Source: RC3 *

You can download an ephemeris for 81P/Wild2 here:

http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/Ephemerides/Comets/0081P.html

For those of you who didn't know, 81P/Wild2 was the comet subject of the "Stardust" mission:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardust_(spacecraft)



Best,

Les D

[Outbackmanyep]

Hi Les!
Thanks for the heads up on the info, i will try for the rendezvous, i have a list from Seiichi Yoshida's page for rendezvous which is pretty extensive.
Its a wonderful comet 81P, also note K5 McNaught and W3 Christensen which are still "bright", my last obs of K5 i made it out at mag 8.5!
You should check it out!

Cheers!