Comet Obs 25th Nov 2010

[Outbackmanyep]

Comet Observations 25th November 2010

C/2009 P1 Garradd

2010 Nov 25.43 UT; m1= 13.2; Dia= 0.8'; DC= 3; 25cm L, f:5 (x83)
No tail, coma small and diffuse, slight central condensation appearing using averted vision.
Comp Star= GSC-7491-0203; Method= S; Cat= HS

10P/ Tempel 2

2010 Nov 25.44 UT; m1= 12.4; Dia= 3'; DC= 1; 25cm L, f:5 (x39)
No tail, coma diffuse, visible using averted vision.
Comp Star= GSC-5275-1761; Method= S; Cat= HS


Cheers! :thumbsup:

[ngcles]

Hi Chris & All,

Thanks for that. C/2009 P1 is still a loooong way out (most of the way to Jupiter) but has the potential to be a nice-ish telescopic or binocular comet in about 11 months time. It is currently performing fractionally better than would normally be expected/predicted.

But as David Levy is fond of saying; "Comets are like cats: They have tails and do whatever they want". In the end it is very hard to accurately predict what they will do -- particularly the first-timers round the Sun.

Good to see you are keeping an eye out on them.


Best,

Les D

[Outbackmanyep]

Thanks for the ecouragement Les, i'll be keeping a good eye on it when i get a gap in the weather!
I remember imaging Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) the August before it came to perihelion and noticed it had a small tail and it looked 'dusty' to me, so i knew it would be a nice one to view if it kept brightening but as you say you just never know what they'll do!
C/2009 P1 looked nicely condensed using averted vision but it was tricky as it was close to nearby stars as well and my seeing wasn't all that good, it may be a nice one as well.

Cheers!

[astroron]

Hi Chris, I really appreciate your Comet reports, and even though I may not reply to your post I note them and look forward to getting some clear nights so I can check them out for myself:thumbsup:
Les thank you for your input as well:thanx:
Cheers