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Comet 17P Holmes
I've been shooting the comet for a couple weeks now, depending on
conditions.
On 10-29-07 I caught the image on the left. On 11-3-07 I captured
the image on the right. The image on the left is simply grey scale,
thirty second frames stacked. The 11-3-07 image is LRGB at thirty
seconds each channel. Notice the golden hue of the comet and the
bulge now visible. As of 12-27-07 the comet is high overhead and
appears to have a larger aura around it as seen in the last image.
What you see above is how it's supposed to look and does look if
you use a telescope to view it. The body of the comet itself is now
visible and aura around it is less prominent.
Astronomers from all over the planet are reporting that the normally
dim Comet 17P/Holmes has had an eruption. Instead of being 17th
magnitude - only visible to powerful telescopes - it's now 3rd
magnitude. This makes it easy to spot with the unaided eye, even in
cities with heavy light pollution.
To confirm this discovery, head outside after the skies are dark, and
look to the Northeast. The comet is currently in the constellation
Perseus, which is below the more familiar Cassiopeia. If you're
familiar with the constellations at all, you'll now see a new, bright
yellow star. A telescope reveals the fuzzy corona surrounding the
comet.
conditions.
On 10-29-07 I caught the image on the left. On 11-3-07 I captured
the image on the right. The image on the left is simply grey scale,
thirty second frames stacked. The 11-3-07 image is LRGB at thirty
seconds each channel. Notice the golden hue of the comet and the
bulge now visible. As of 12-27-07 the comet is high overhead and
appears to have a larger aura around it as seen in the last image.
What you see above is how it's supposed to look and does look if
you use a telescope to view it. The body of the comet itself is now
visible and aura around it is less prominent.
Astronomers from all over the planet are reporting that the normally
dim Comet 17P/Holmes has had an eruption. Instead of being 17th
magnitude - only visible to powerful telescopes - it's now 3rd
magnitude. This makes it easy to spot with the unaided eye, even in
cities with heavy light pollution.
To confirm this discovery, head outside after the skies are dark, and
look to the Northeast. The comet is currently in the constellation
Perseus, which is below the more familiar Cassiopeia. If you're
familiar with the constellations at all, you'll now see a new, bright
yellow star. A telescope reveals the fuzzy corona surrounding the
comet.
A nice finder chart courtesy of Astromart and John
Chumack. Click to make it bigger
Chumack. Click to make it bigger
10-29-07 Grey scale
11-3-07 Color
11-12-07 Color
11-13-07 Color
12-27-07 Color