Boxing Day Comet and Animation

[jjjnettie]

I setup this morning at a local lookout next to Somerset Dam.
The 2 photos are the same, one is unprocessed, the other has had contrast and brightness applied.
The link is to an time lapse of Comet Lovejoy rising, and then fading into the dawn sky. It isn't very smooth as I had to re position the camera, and I may have bumped the camera too at one stage.
It was a very stressful morning, I had a couple of wild pigs voice their disapproval of me every time I stepped out of the car. So when I was out with the camera, I was a little jumpy. :screwy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQve3nx1VFo

[Nortilus]

Stunning, i like the gum tree addition...gives it some perspective :D

[gregbradley]

A beauty.

I know the feeling of being wary of wild life at night!

Greg.

[astronobob]

Glad you survived jjj : ) I'm really liking your field with the tree and the Coal Sack up there, Lovjoy showing up a treat, very nicely composed :thumbsup:

[AstralTraveller]

Pictures - or they weren't there!! :P:P

[tornado33]

Very nice, and the animation shows well how the comet brightens as it rises before twilight takes it away again. Well done!
Scott

[Liz]

Oink, oink ... rrrghh .... no, have been in the same boat this week. Going to different further away locations with unusual noises and unseen murky characters/animals lurking at the edge of my sight. :help:

Glad you still have clear skies there to catch the comet, and nice piccies. :thumbsup:

[hotspur]

Lovely images,well done.

What camera settings and time exp jjj?

We finally got to see the comet,but my images are not the best,so
long since I have done any astro images.

How many more mornings will it be about?

cheers Chris

[anthony.tony]

Nice work- Tony

[Matt Wastell]

Super pic! Thanks for sharing!

[ChrisM]

I like the sky colour and tree. The sky is in stark contrast to your storm pics yesterday!

Chris

[m@s]

Very nice pic and anim :)
Cheers

[Quark]

Beautiful Jeanette, love the framing with the tree and very nice animation.

Regards
Trevor

[renormalised]

Nice shots JJJ...and the animation was well done too :):)

[dpastern]

Another good shot Jeanette - was this just on a tripod, or mounted on a scope using its drive? I presume stacked shots?

Dave

[hotspur]

Yes,Dave-looking forward too,to hear how this lovely image was done,after looking at it again-it does look like a stack.Well done jjj

[jjjnettie]

I used the Canon 550d @ iso1600 Canon stock 18-55 lens @ 18mm and F4.
I used ICNR on all the shots.
45 second exposures.
Tripod mounted, single shot.
And shot in JJJPeg :)

[hotspur]

Great,thanks jjj,certainly worked a treat-Dave and Anthony are on their way up for the night,I might try something along your settings.Been so long since I did any astro shots-forgot all idea on settings.

[naskies]

Nice work, jjjnettie! I agree that the eucalyptus silhouette really makes the shot. I may have to 'borrow' your idea! ;-)

I really enjoyed your other set too a couple of nights ago. I was viewing them on my iPhone outside in the dark, and nearly had a heart attack when a frog jumped onto me. Then there was the rabbit, the spiders, the giant moths, the mice, the cows stamping their hooves, etc... this hobby is dangerous to my health! :rofl:

I'm still tired but looking forward to joining Chris and Anthony tonight... I'd love to get a high resolution close up of the comet to print at poster size.

[jjjnettie]

ahh just that much further west will really help with the light pollution.
My images, the comet is swimming in soup at the start.

[[1ponders]]

I'm glad you've had the chance to refine your shots JJ. Those first mornings things can get a bit hectic. You've done a great job on this one. :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

lovely JJJ

i had my licence to image revoked for the week after getting up and going christmas comet hunting....;)