Comet and a question...

[MarkInSpace (Mark)]

My first proper comet image, and a question...
I can't differentiate a dust tail and an ion tail.
Does this mean they are comingled at this point, and that the comet is pointing and traveling directly at the sun?

8x120 s
ASI294MC Pro
William optics ZS 71+ flattener

[anthony.tony]

Love it. Tony.

[Mickoid (Michael)]

I think you've answered your own question, Tony. From what I've read the dust follows the trajectory of the comet, away from the sun and the ion tail is directed by the solar winds so I guess in this case, at the present moment, Leonard's trajectory must be in line with the Solar winds.

This is a really nice shot Tony. Did you take this away from the city lights? From where I photographed the comet, it was sitting right behind Melbourne's city and suburban light glow. I only captured the brightest part of it's tail, so you've done really well to reveal so much more.

[astro744]

The comet is not heading directly toward the sun. Search the web for orbit of this comet and you’ll see. The ion tail will point away from the sun but it doesn’t mean the comet is heading that way. The direction of any dust tail cannot be determined easily from a 2D photograph but looking at the orbit online it’s dust tail may in fact be behind the comet as it is approaching us and perihelion. Apparently this comet has a retrograde orbit.

I’m going to try and find the orbital elements of this comet and import them into an old piece of software I have called Dance of the Planets. I can then view the orbit from any point in space including 3D as well as any point on earth at any time. I have not found any modern program that can do this as well or as good.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Amazing shot.

[foc (Ross)]

Terrific image with great detail in the tail.