twin comets in March

[WCGucfa]

It just didn't seem real at times!
Here's my take on Hale-Bopp. Not even the light pollution of Pawtucket could stop the layman from viewing it!

High Speed Ektachrome @ 15sec. Minolta SRT101, tripod mount. 50mm lens.



Bill G.

[DonB]

OH, and another comet that did some unusual things was "Hyakatki (sic) in I think 94' or 95'. Not a bright object like the others talked about, but a naked eye comet. And on the night of the vernal equinox, it hangs a few degrees from Polaris the WHOLE NIGHT LONG. Imagine what a stacked image today's DSLR could make of that !

Don

[WCGucfa]

Thanks for the reminder, Bill!
I need a new target for #40.

Bill G.

[Paul D]

It would figure that 252P/LINEAR would pop up in the south. Worst area for me to observe in at home. I might have to pack up the scope and take a drive when it gets a bit higher. Yet another notch in my belt? Maybe.

Bill L,

I like your CSC, where did you get it from?

[WCGucfa]

I was sort of hopeful this weekend to find Linear, but as you know, the clouds attacked the plans, aided
by the very bright moon, aided by the very low magnitude prediction of 11.
Very sad indeed, considering the tail of the Scorpion was just itching to sting something!
The last time I hunted a comet in this area was when, I believe Swan, was floating among those
sharp claws and it was a cool 4 degrees that morning. (2006?)

Bill G.

[Paul D]

Has it been that long Bill since we had a good comet in the scorpion? Wow time flies by fast.

[WCGucfa]

Hyakutaki also was an amazing comet, I agree!
How convenient it was caught in the stars of Ursa Minor! Seagrave Observatory added a little perspective to the image.

Bill G.

Minolta SRT-101, 15 second exposure.
[img][/img]

[WCGucfa]

Oh well, between clouds and fatigue I only got one chance to chase down 252P/Linear.
This image was taken on April 9. Estimated magnitude was 6.5.
Easy in my 8x40's, it looked normal, but when I got it in the eyepiece of the scope (6" Antares) I witnessed
something I've only seen with Comet Holmes. The comet filled the whole 1 degree + field! At first I thought
I breathed on the eyepiece, fogging the whole scene up.

Bill G.

4/9/2016/ 30 seconds. Canon T3i
[[URL=https://imageshack.com/i/pnNmAMAK ... .jpg[/img]/url]

[Paul D]

Bill,

Your image of the comet instantly reminded me of Holmes. I cant wait to observe this comet for myself if it ever clears up this weekend. As always a great image and another comet notch in your belt.

[WCGucfa]

Thanks Paul,
I have no idea what magnitude Linear is right now, but I may try for it again if the moon doesn't scare
me away.
According to the April Astronomy mag, Comet Ikeya-Murakami is 10th mag in Leo. It will be
close to Regulus (0.5*) on the 26th (see the map in the magazine). That should be a piece of cake for
the Midnight Mistress! Does she like cake?

Bill G.