Comet 2013X1Panstarrs

[Terry B]

My first attempt at this comet. Taking spectra of comets is difficult because they are rarely bright enough to guide on the slit. This one was borderline but I was able to keep it on the slit for about 30mins of exposure total. Swan bands are present and CN at 3880nm. This is in the UV so I tried an image through my U photometry filter. It is a single 300sec exposure guided on the comet so the stars are streaked. It is dim but there is clearly UV emission.

[StuTodd]

Great stuff Terry.

Did you put the slit through the comet itself, or the ionization tail? Would there be much difference?
2013X1 should remain well placed for a week or two yet. Just need those clouds to vanish!

Stu

[Terry B]

Originally Posted by StuTodd

Great stuff Terry.

Did you put the slit through the comet itself, or the ionization tail? Would there be much difference?
2013X1 should remain well placed for a week or two yet. Just need those clouds to vanish!

Stu

The slit was on the body of the comet. The coma or tail is too diffuse to get enough signal.