Comet Lovejoy from Terrigal on the Central Coast, 22nd December (timelapse added)

iceman (Mike) · #1 22-12-2011, 07:52 AM

I got up at 3am and was at Terrigal just after 3:30am.

There were clouds all about and I couldn't see Lovejoy naked eye, but decided to take a test exposure anyway and there it was in a 10s exposure.

So I rushed to set up both cameras and got snapping.

The clouds were a bit of a hindrance, but it could've been worse. Hoping for clearer skies tomorrow. I'll also plan to get there a bit earlier. By 4:30am I couldn't capture it any more as the sky was too bright.

- Large images: 1, 2, 3, 4
- Blog

Timelapse Added
Here's a timelapse just finished. I slowed it down from the normal 25fps otherwise the video would be over in 1.8 seconds

Watch in HD and expand to full size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKjkQLVq7Ws&hd=1

Shows how lucky I was with the clouds - a few degrees to the left and I would've missed everything!

swannies1983 (Dan) · #2 22-12-2011, 08:03 AM

That will be a fantastic shot once the clouds clear. What's the weather like over the coming days Mike?

iceman (Mike) · #3 22-12-2011, 08:11 AM

Thanks Dan - forecast for possible showers tomorrow but Saturday looks good!

Lester · #4 22-12-2011, 08:16 AM

Wow, those views are stunning Mike. The clouds and colours plus foreground scene really add to the picture. Hope you get clear skies soon Mike. All the best.

luigi · #5 22-12-2011, 08:22 AM

This is really beautiful!!

Fantastic set of images Mike, this comet is a blast!

I'm under a storm right now so this night is a no-go I considered driving 600km to dodge the storm but I think I can wait one day. Can I ? Can I ? Can I?

Matt Wastell (Matt) · #6 22-12-2011, 08:28 AM

Excellent images - I reckon the clouds add to the drama - I hope you do get some clear skies too!
I am hoping to see it and images as best I can.
Thanks foe sharing!!!

MortonH · #7 22-12-2011, 08:30 AM

#1 is beautiful!

SkyViking (Rolf) · #8 22-12-2011, 08:31 AM

Those images look amazing Mike, congratulations. Even though the clouds obscure the comet a bit they really add to the scene. Well done.

I was out this morning too, it was clear when I got up but once I had arrived at my chosen spot a bank of clouds managed to block the view to the East... Hopefully I'll get another chance soon. It'll be interesting to see how the comet behaves over the coming weeks, hopefully it won't fade too quickly.

m@s (Marc) · #9 22-12-2011, 09:03 AM

Mike,
your photos are awesome !
They are particularly appreciated here under our definitely cloudy sky...
Thanks for sharing

Marc

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #10 22-12-2011, 10:12 AM

Even through clouds it's beautiful.!!

astronobob (Bob) · #11 22-12-2011, 10:25 AM

Fantastic Scenery there below the Skillion Mike, agree them clouds add drama and love the moonlight reflecting on the ocean in the 1st ! Top class result on Lovejoy ! !
I cant wait to image this.

Paul Haese · #12 22-12-2011, 11:36 AM

The first is a cracker Mike. Very nice work. Not being one for HDR generally, but I think in this case it works. What exposures were you using?

von Tom (Tom) · #13 22-12-2011, 11:38 AM

Very nice Mike. I reckon a timelapse is in order

iceman (Mike) · #14 22-12-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lester

Wow, those views are stunning Mike. The clouds and colours plus foreground scene really add to the picture. Hope you get clear skies soon Mike. All the best.

Thanks Lester - Terrigal is a beautiful spot and it's my default location for all astronomical events where an easterly view is required

Quote:

Originally Posted by luigi

This is really beautiful!!

Fantastic set of images Mike, this comet is a blast!

I'm under a storm right now so this night is a no-go I considered driving 600km to dodge the storm but I think I can wait one day. Can I ? Can I ? Can I?

Thanks Luis - I hope you get to see it tomorrow. Travelling 600km to see it is quite an ask I'd say

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Wastell

Excellent images - I reckon the clouds add to the drama - I hope you do get some clear skies too!
I am hoping to see it and images as best I can.
Thanks foe sharing!!!

Thanks Matt - the clouds definitely add some drama, I just wish it was a little more clear where the comet is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MortonH

#1 is beautiful!

Thanks Morton, it's my favourite too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyViking

Those images look amazing Mike, congratulations. Even though the clouds obscure the comet a bit they really add to the scene. Well done.

I was out this morning too, it was clear when I got up but once I had arrived at my chosen spot a bank of clouds managed to block the view to the East... Hopefully I'll get another chance soon. It'll be interesting to see how the comet behaves over the coming weeks, hopefully it won't fade too quickly.

Sorry you didn't get to see it, Rolf. I hope you get clear skies tomorrow. I reckon there'll be some fantastic scenery from NZ and you guys get to see it 2 hours before us

Quote:

Originally Posted by m@s

Mike,
your photos are awesome !
They are particularly appreciated here under our definitely cloudy sky...
Thanks for sharing

Marc

Thanks Marc, much appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Even through clouds it's beautiful.!!

Thanks JJJ - you didn't get to see it this morning? I hope you get clear skies tomorrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by astronobob

Fantastic Scenery there below the Skillion Mike, agree them clouds add drama and love the moonlight reflecting on the ocean in the 1st ! Top class result on Lovejoy ! !
I cant wait to image this.

Thanks Bob. The skillion is a beautiful place to visit. I took my parents there last weekend when they visited for xmas and went for a nice walk around the foreshore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

The first is a cracker Mike. Very nice work. Not being one for HDR generally, but I think in this case it works. What exposures were you using?

Thanks Paul - these are actually single exposures. The first one is a 58s exposure, ISO1600 @ f/2.8, 17mm with the 17-70mm lens.

I wish I had a more sensitive camera (5DM2 comes to mind

) that can do noise-free ISO3200 with a faster lens (f/1.8 would be nice).

Not asking for much am I?

Quote:

Originally Posted by von Tom

Very nice Mike. I reckon a timelapse is in order

Thanks Tom - I did take a bunch of images in a row and I will try and make a timelapse from them, but it'll be a very short one unfortunately.
The slow lenses and 40D meant I needed long exposures (30-60s) so at 25fps, I reckon the timelapse would be over in a blink of an eye

bartman (Bart) · #15 22-12-2011, 01:14 PM

Nice ones Mike!
I like #1 too and like Paul, I thought they were HDR as well ....
Right place, right equipment, right settings I guess is all you need...

Bartman

iceman (Mike) · #16 22-12-2011, 01:19 PM

Thanks Bart.

Here's a timelapse just finished. I slowed it down from the normal 25fps otherwise the video would be over in 1.8 seconds

Watch in HD and expand to full size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKjkQLVq7Ws&hd=1

Shows how lucky I was with the clouds - a few degrees to the left and I would've missed everything!