Comet Obs 10th to 15th April 2010

[Outbackmanyep]

Comet Observations 10th to 15th April 2010

81P/ Wild 2
2010 April 10.71 UT; m1= 9.5; Dia= 4’; DC= 6; 20cm T, f:10 (x63)
Coma elongated to the NW, moonlight affected visibility of tail which made it not visible.
Comp Star= TYC 4982-1012-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ

2010 April 13.75 UT; m1= 9.2; Dia= 6.4’; DC= 5; 25cm L, f:5 (x39)
Tail to the West, 25’ long, faint, coma edges diffuse with bright small central condensation.
Comp Star= TYC 4982-704-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ

2010 April 15.46 UT; m1= 9.5; Dia= 6.4’; DC= 6; 25cm L, f:5 (x39)
Tail to the West, 25’ total length, with brighter fan 12’extending West from coma before fading out to 25’, coma also elongated slightly to NE (anti-tail)
Comp Star= TYC 4982-1012-1; Method= M; Cat= TJ

C/2006 W3 Christensen
2010 April 10.74 UT; m1= 12.4; Dia= < 1’; DC= 2; 20cm T, f:10 (x63)
No tail, coma diffuse, difficult to see.
Comp Star= GSC-6918-0262; Method= S; Cat= HS

C/2009 K5 McNaught
2010 April 10.77 UT; m1= 8.5; Dia= 4.8’; DC= 5; 20cm T, f:10 (x63)
No tail, coma appears elongated to SW slightly, observed in moonlight.
Comp Star= TYC 3136-761-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ

2010 April 13.76 UT; m1= 7.8; Dia= 7.7’; DC= 4/5; 25cm L, f:5 (x39)
No tail, coma bright, seen 5 degrees above local horizon.
Comp Star= TYC 3158-2034-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ

C/2009 R1 McNaught
2010 April 13.77 UT; m1= 11.6; Dia= 2.5’; DC= 3/4; 25cm L, f:5 (x83)
Coma diffuse, no tail, zodiacal light interference, low on horizon.
Comp Star= GSC-0569-1084; Method= S; Cat= HS

[Liz]

Thank you OBM. Great report as usual. The 2 MacNaughts are looking good to keep an eye on. :thumbsup: