holmes passes lots of stars...

[Dietmar]

hi guys,
after being out of the 'astro-processing-loop' I enjoyed handling my equipment again last night.
after upgrading my Starlight Xpress SXV M25C to an "F" version I was curious to work with it again.
I noticed lots of stars in the area holmes passed by last night so I tried to focus on them in this image.
data:
Date: 31.10.2007 - seeing 4-5/10; transp. 4-5/10
Scope: 9" TMB Apo f/6.8 using Astrophysicsreducer
CCD: SXVF M25C - 6x15 seconds
Software: AstroArt4 image acquisition, preprocessing
Processing: postprocess. PS CS2
preview image:
http://www.stargazer-observatory.com...lmes_small.jpg
and here is the full scale version:
http://www.stargazer-observatory.com/holmes-full.html
the visual view last night was deeply impressive.
in my 5" double refractor we saw the coma as a light greenish haze around the comet. it so huge!
the 20" f/3.7 dobsonian revealed the stars I talked about.
most impressive was the view woth the baader bino adapter attached to the 9" scope - that was cool! ...and...
I am not sure - but I gathered the impression, that the core is no longer spheric...it might be a bit elongated...?
thanks for your comments - if you have some - there are so many comet-images around the web...
best regards,
Dietmar
www.stargazer-observatory.com

[Tamtarn]

Wow Dietz the full res version is remarkable

Great to see your images once again

[Kal (Andrew)]

I'm speechless. That pic is just so sexy!

Thanks for the pic Dietmar!

Nice pic of the comet's green halo as well on your website

[h0ughy (David)]

ohhh thats bloody fantastic, sorry Couldnt help myself. mate that is a ripper of an image. many many thanks for posting that for us to drool over Dietmar

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

What can I say.....Wow!!!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Ditto.
Wow

[fringe_dweller]

well i have to say seeing a planet like 'phase' on the brighter dust coma/halo - green halo one deeper shot, i am gobsmacked, i think that could be a first for any recorded comet! they wouldnt of seen that sort of detail last time it did this
well done, i'm speechless also - but stretching that deeper shot might bing out some interesting features

edit: most comet halos/big outer coma's i have seen are gas like the green one is, and dont phase like solids - dust coma's of that size (several times the diameter of jupiter i believe!) would be extremely rare!

[Dietmar]

...thanks Tamtarn, Andrew, Houghy, Paul, Jeanette and Kearn!

Andrew - it was very nice to link the 'halo-' image; thanks!

[iceman (Mike)]

Beautiful image Deetz, what a great comeback image.

[jakob]

That is a fantasic picture!
I also like your Observatory! Snow and Earthquake proof!

[Ingo]

That's APOD worthy.

[tornado33]

Excellent Hi res image. I think I see evidence of jetting in the inner coma.
Scott

[Garyh]

Beautiful Dietz! now who needs a tail on a comet for it to look so cool!

[acropolite (Phil)]

Beautiful image Dietz, the best I have seen to date.

[netwolf]

Dietz, that is magazine cover material. Just awesome.

Regards
Fahim

[Dietmar]

thanks Maike, Jakob, Ingo, Scott, Gary, Phil and Fahim.
Ingo and Fahim - perhaps I shoiuld try to submit the image...?