Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

It's a hell of a lot warmer too Kearn I think I had a jumper on one day last year.

[Greg Bryant]

This is a fascinating multi-fragment comet that is continuing to track well.

The brightest fragment, C, could still reach between 3rd and 4th magnitude. Fragment B stands a good chance of reaching 6th magnitude. Under a very dark sky, and with good eyesight, that would mean two naked-eye comets visible at the same time (albeit one marginally). Not quite the same as 2004's Double Comet show, but something most unusual nevertheless.

[fringe_dweller]

just hit nine components! 'M' and 'N' now added wow :-)))))

fingers and toes crossed here, Greg

[fringe_dweller]

science@nasa and spaceweather's Dr Tony Phillips has put together a great write-up on this comet and components
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2....htm?list56153

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

A must see on my observing calendar thats for sure !

[fringe_dweller]

I promise this is the last time I will mention newly CCD discovered, very faint mag 20 ish components I have read of on comet lists, but the tally has reached 13 now.

I have read speculation that there may be as many as 100 (mostly very faint) fragments discovered via CCD of the 73P gang by the time it has reached closest approach - starting to sound likely?

[fringe_dweller]

wow - I am starting salivate now,
check out Mike Holloway's ( in the U.S. ) latest CCD mosiac of main fragments 'C' and 'B'
http://www.fototime.com/8B8A113407F77CB/orig.jpg

[astro_south (Andrew)]

checked out the C component last night from my Brisvegas suburban home. It was sitting next to two stars of similar magnitude. With my 12.5" dob I saw a small hazy blob. There was a slight notion of a core - though only after a lot of staring. The was also a hint of the haze not being circular - though this could have been more imagination than anything visible - especially given the light pollution.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

How are they getting wide angle pictures of magnitude 11/12 fragments to look so bright?

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Even though it's a bit faint yet for my small scopes, thought I'd try for it tonight. I put the 13mm Nagler in the 5.5 inch f3.64 Schmidt Newtonian "Comet Catcher", plonked it on a camera tripod and started searching. Half an hour goes by without success so I recheck star maps etc to narrow down the search field. How hard can it be? It's only to the right a bit and down a bit from Arcturus.

A few more minutes go by, then some clouds then clear again. A slow pan across the target area and there's.... something incredibly faint. Mmm this something looks elongated. I try a few other eyepieces, nothing in the 18mm Orthorscopic, nothing in the 30mm Kelner. It's there in the LV10mm and Televue 7.5mm though.

Now that I have a fix on it I try my 6 inch f6 dob. Seems easier in this scope and it's visible with all eyepieces although it's still best in the Nagler.

Well here's a piccy to confirm it is 73P, fragment C I think. This is how much it moved in 37 minutes. Mintron video camera through the 5.5" f3.64 SN. Next time I'll try and get a bit more tail in lol.

Anyone have a magnitude estimate? It's got to be the faintest object possible to see in the 5.5" scope. Two weeks ago it was in the high 11's.

The chase is on now. I bet I can't find it tomorrow night .

[fringe_dweller]

Damn fine report and image Kevin!! good to hear that nagler getting some comet time mate :-)))

Latest obs I have read put fragment 'C' in the mid to high 10's atm and fragment 'B' somewhere in the 12's.

here's another new shot with C B G visible http://www.astrostudio.at/Astrofotos...gorie=&k_id=64

[fringe_dweller]

Originally Posted by astro_south

checked out the C component last night from my Brisvegas suburban home. It was sitting next to two stars of similar magnitude. With my 12.5" dob I saw a small hazy blob. There was a slight notion of a core - though only after a lot of staring. The was also a hint of the haze not being circular - though this could have been more imagination than anything visible - especially given the light pollution.

Thats pretty good from LP skies! great write-up! thanks Andrew

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Good on you Kevin, I will be looking for it at our club night this coming Sat.
Lets hope it only gets better !

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Hope you get to see it at the club.

Didn't try tonight but I've been fiddling around with last night's picture. A shorter section of the avi this time with less noise and no trails.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

A little off topic to SW3, but I was looking for C/2004 B1 Linear last night with the 10 inch f4.5 scope and couldn't find it. Guess it must not be any brighter than mag13. Haven't seen any reports this year on cbat either.

Anyone else seen this comet this year?

[fringe_dweller]

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

A little off topic to SW3, but I was looking for C/2004 B1 Linear last night with the 10 inch f4.5 scope and couldn't find it. Guess it must not be any brighter than mag13. Haven't seen any reports this year on cbat either.

Anyone else seen this comet this year?

I havent, but I saw this report on yahoo cometobs recently from Jim Gifford of Bridgetown, Western Australia.

'C/2004 B1 LINEAR 2006 March 29.81 UT: m1 = 13.5, Dia = 1', DC = 1,
40cm L 153x Very diffuse comet, close to my limit.'

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

That would expalin it then if it's 13.5 and on the limit of a 16 inch scope.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Welcome to the Millenium Club Kearn

[fringe_dweller]

hehhe, cheers Ian, Its great to be a member

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

SW fragment C looks a little brighter tonight although I had trouble finding it hidden among a few 'bright' stars.

I managed a 426 frame image (about 17 minutes worth) through the 5.5" f3.6 Schmidt Newtonian and have rotated the camera to show the tail pointing upwards.

The moon is going to be a problem in a few days which will probably close this observing window for a couple of weeks.