Hi all
Processed my images from today, from Redhead Bluff south of newcastle
Both images are a stack of 3 1250th sec shots in quick sucession through Berts wonderful 300mm f2.8 flourite lens, then aligned on the comet and stacked, processed with Iris.
The other shot was taken earlier today (4:21pm)with the unmodded 300D, its 12x 4000th sec ISO 100 through the 10 inch, processed as above. When looking at the cometthrough the scope it seemed so bright it was almost hurting my eye!
It was magnificent seeing the comet through binocs just as the Sun is setting, sadly cloud killed it later on.
looking fowards to tomorrow night
Scott
Now to really frighten you all.
Look how close to the Sun the comet was today, the 2nd shot I have indicated where the Sun was reflecting back from the primary, on one of the secondary holder vanes inside the tube. I had drive running and never left the scope without covering it first. I was able to safely view, and image the comet.
Not recommended for public viewings though, the public liability would be enormous.
Scott
Proof that the comet was visible through cloud during daylight . 3 x 1/400 sec ISO100 images (200mm f4.5 with 350D). Image from 10 minutes before sunset Jan 14 (greatly stretched)!
There has been a debate on the comets-ml Yahoo list whether P1 is a great comet or a "Great Comet". Consensus is the former, subject to P1's behaviour over the next few days.
Here's my images from last night. I was hoping for something better, but they turned out ok. Hopefully will be able to capture more tonight.
First shot taken with the 350D + 17-70mm sigma, others with the 75-300mm kit lens.
The white arrows indicate the position of the comet. I further processed a copy of the selected area in the offset circle to highlight more of the comet.
I went up to kilbride nursing home just up the road... great western views and great comet views. I have to say that visually, even without binoculars (which i forgot anyhow) it was a spectacular sight!!!
heres some shots.
in teh first one it doesnt really show the tail but the second one does!
This is the best I could manage through the smoke haze to the west. First shot is cropped no processing, second is levels adjusted. I was about to give up in disgust for the second night in a row when HRH Liz spotted it with the binoculars; no doubt about it, she's not just a pretty face...
