McNaught and the Moon

[1ponders] (Paul) · #1 03-10-2008, 10:39 PM

Well it was always going to be a challenge to get the exposure right. Let's see...the moon at mag -10.6 and McNaught at mag 7.7...that makes a difference of 18.3 mag or in other words the moon was approx 2,060,768 times brighter and only 25 or so arcmin away from the comet.

Well here's the result. I used my trusty ol' 300D and the ED80 & WO 0.8 reducer combo and started at 30 sec exp at ISO 800 and worked my way down the exposure level. The 8 sec exposure managed to get the moon in and not completely swamp McNaught.

Just so you can see that it really was a comet, I've layered a DMK shot taken through a 72mm WO. A total of 40/160 frames @ 4 sec exposure each. A quick stack in Registax 4 and tonal touch up in PS. The widefield also received a quick adjustment as well.

To top it off this shot just happened (

) to have a meteor careen through it as well.

BTW, I didn't have a snowflakes chance in hell of seeing it visually

h0ughy (David) · #2 03-10-2008, 10:45 PM

wow Paul, earth shine, satellite and a comet and stars - you are a legend!! sent that off to space weather

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 03-10-2008, 10:51 PM

Thanks Dave.

I could be a satellite I guess, but a meteor sounds more poetic.

RB (Andrew) · #4 03-10-2008, 10:56 PM

That's an awesome shot Paul, fantastic work.
And that's not a meteor, it's Chinese space junk in an uncontrolled burn.

Even better hah?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 03-10-2008, 11:04 PM

Ok I just checked and it could have been Iridium 921.....but I'm only saying "could have been"

[1ponders] (Paul) · #6 03-10-2008, 11:06 PM

I like your idea better RB.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 03-10-2008, 11:08 PM

Here's a full size crop so you can see the comet better. There is even a hint of blue colour there.

Liz · #8 04-10-2008, 08:44 AM

Amazing Paul, well done

Deeno · #9 04-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Would not have thought it possible.....
Brilliant image!

StephenM (Stephen) · #10 04-10-2008, 10:31 AM

Great shot Paul! Well done.

I had a quick go as well, just using a tripod-mounted K100D and 300mm telephoto. The result is no where near as impressive as Paul's, but I think I can make out a faint smudge where the comet should be (based on Paul's image). The smudge in question is circled. Am I just imagining it?

Cheers,
Stephen

Kevnool (Kev) · #11 04-10-2008, 11:25 AM

Great work there Paul....cheers Kev.

Ric · #12 04-10-2008, 11:39 AM

Well done Paul, a great image. There is something for everyone in this one.

Cheers

RB (Andrew) · #13 04-10-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Here's a full size crop so you can see the comet better. There is even a hint of blue colour there.

Amazing that you picked up colour on it too, well done Paul !

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenM

I had a quick go as well, just using a tripod-mounted K100D and 300mm telephoto. The result is no where near as impressive as Paul's, but I think I can make out a faint smudge where the comet should be (based on Paul's image). The smudge in question is circled. Am I just imagining it?
Stephen

You've done well too Stephen.