Hi all,
At precisely 18:13 tonight i spotted 2P/ Encke using my 10" dob at x39.
Following the comet as the sky has darkened i made it out at mag 7.7, dia of 3.2' and DC of 6.
The comet is very small and diffuse, it enhances well with a Swan band filter and nearly doubles the coma size visible. The coma appears circular in appearance, with a hint of elongation to the SW but it may have been atmospheric effects.
It was seen 6 degrees above my local horizon at the time of obs.
I have to thank my gf, Samantha, for being a good sport, sitting in the cold while i attempted the obs!
The comet will be a degree or so from Mercury the next 2 nights so that will make a good starting point!
It's a wonder you can find Encke, considering it's been through the wringer about 10 million times!!!!. It's a miracle it's got anything left to do any outgassing!!!.
i am really thrilled to have finally seen this comet, it was a historically significant one which Rumker and Dunlop found from Parramatta Observatory all those years ago, of course they knew it was coming at the time! But it was a good feeling finding it!
It will be one degree from Mercury tonight so if you want to have a go look for a small 3' dia (at least) coma with a bright central condensation and fuzzy edges.
i was trying 65 gunn the other week viewed for more the an hour and i thought i had a glimpse with averted but only a very faint glimpse?????
have you spotted it
i was trying 65 gunn the other week viewed for more the an hour and i thought i had a glimpse with averted but only a very faint glimpse?????
have you spotted it
Yeah Peter,
I have spotted 65P/ Gunn, it is quite small and diffuse and hard to find, currently it's around the mag 12's, i have a good dark sky to observe from, so if you can find a dark sky you will fare better. My last obs on it was this morning and i used a magnification of x83, it can be seen using averted vision but once you've found it you can see it with small bursts of direct vision.
You'd be doing well to find it!
Woohoo!! Congrats Chris, well done.
Mag 7.7 and close to Mercury may be doable, though havent a Swan band filter (I dont think ).
Hi Liz,
I know you have the same set-up as me, but you will spot it using the 32mm P, mind you it will be small, so look for a star-like object with a fuzzy halo around it, more or less circular in appearance but it could have a small tail, i didn't see one last night but i might tonight!
Set the scope up especialy for the Comet,Bloody Big Black Cloud in the way
Now a white cloud
Sky clear everywhere else
Looks like I wont be able to try till Friday
Set the scope up especialy for the Comet,Bloody Big Black Cloud in the way
Now a white cloud
Sky clear everywhere else
Looks like I wont be able to try till Friday
Oh well, least you got the ISS Ron!!
Bring on Encke for friday.
2010 Aug 18.36 UT; m1= 8.4; Dia= 3'; DC= 5/6; 25cm L (x39)
No tail, coma diffuse with gradual concentration to centre, not quite stellar central condensation,coma appears very slightly elongated to SW.
Enhances well with Swan band filter, 5 degrees above local horizon at time of observation, moonlight affected.
Comp Star= TYC 263-668-1; Method= S; Cat= TJ
**The comet was first sighted tonight at 18:15 local time using averted vision. The central condensation had diffused a little, it did not jump out at me like it did last night as the c/c had a more stellar appearance. At x83 the coma showed no bright star-like point of light in the c/c. I also tried to observe the comet using 7x50B at 18.36 UT, the comet was 4 degrees above my local horizon and the obs was negative.
Sorry to hear some of you were clouded out, it will hang around Mercury for the next few days, the comet will climb higher but the comet will be fading, the moon will be brightening and hopefully the clouds won't be a hindrance!
Liz, the Swan band filter will be a good asset to you,although it won't work on all comets. They work good on gassy comets and can be used as an indicator to tell wether a comet is throwing off more gas than dust.
I'll add my congrats along with everyone elses. I've not managed to see it either, it never seems to be a good apparition whenever I've been keen. But there's always the next one...
).
