I managed to borrow a decent tele lens for my camera and despite lingering twilight and the moon being one day past full I got this shot which is slightly cropped to increase image scale. Photo details are:
Canon 450D with a 300m lens at f/5.6 30 second exposure on ISO 400 guided on an equatorial platform at Sluggish Creek Observatory, Manawatu, North Island, New Zealand (latitude -40.33).
The comet and tail were picked up 30 minutes after sunset when it had an altitude of 13 degrees in bino's. I was busy taking photos and hosting a BBQ star party at our little observatory but a quick estimate gave it at about magnitude 3.6. I still had Lemmon at magnitude 5.0, although the first degree of tail was good enough in these bright conditions to see in 10 x 50's.
This is well worth driving to see. Nothing better than an impressive comet in a bright sky, except the same one in a darker sky,Yeah!
Love this photo!
Haven't had a chance to eyeball it yet, the weather being uncooperative, but really looking forward to it. And catching up with Lemmon after a 2week break.
Thx for posting it.
Trevor
