I saw the comet at sunset tonight. I was on the high bench east of the U of U campus. The Oqirrh mountains were low enough to see over to the wsw. The comet became visable in 20x80 binoculars about 3 degrees up at 5:45pm mst and I followed it into the ground at 6:02pm. Bright nonstellar nucleus with a fan shaped tail almost a degree long. The comet was right at the red/blue dividing line of the sunset colors when first spotted. Without optics it and its tail were visable once you knew where to look. Better jump on this one, it won't be around for long. DT __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
The internet is going bonkers over this comet. Everyone from Finnland to Phoenix is seeing it both in the morning and evening sky. Even in Manhattan. That's right MANHATTAN! The dredded goto telescope has been used to find it at high noon both here and in Australia. We have another evening twilight with no clouds forcast. So take a pair of binoculars up to Wasatch Blvd and find a spot with a view of the North end of the Oqirrh Mtns. Get there by 5:30pm and stay until 6:00pm. No big deal. DT __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Daniel, I want to give it a try. Are you going to be there? Where on Wasatch Blvd.? Thanks, Joe
The internet is going bonkers over this comet. Everyone from Finnland to Phoenix is seeing it both in the morning and evening sky. Even in Manhattan. That's right MANHATTAN! The dredded goto telescope has been used to find it at high noon both here and in Australia.
We have another evening twilight with no clouds forcast.
So take a pair of binoculars up to Wasatch Blvd and find a spot with a view of the North end of the Oqirrh Mtns. Get there by 5:30pm and stay until 6:00pm.
No big deal.
DT
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
I'm taking the train to the U of U Med center and then hiking up to the patio at the Huntsman Cancer Building. The attraction is the comet, not me, so anywhere high on the east bench with a clear view to the wsw will do. If we had a dozen wiedos with binoculars spread out along the entire east bench, we might generate some interest in astronomy. DT --- Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
Daniel, I want to give it a try. Are you going to be there? Where on Wasatch Blvd.? Thanks, Joe
The internet is going bonkers over this comet. Everyone from Finnland to Phoenix is seeing it both in the morning and evening sky. Even in Manhattan. That's right MANHATTAN! The dredded goto telescope has been used to find it at high noon both here and in Australia.
We have another evening twilight with no clouds forcast.
So take a pair of binoculars up to Wasatch Blvd and find a spot with a view of the North end of the Oqirrh Mtns. Get there by 5:30pm and stay until 6:00pm.
No big deal.
DT
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
I met up with Daniel yesterday evening at the U and snapped a few shots of the comet in through the haze. Not the best conditions, but since I've only gotten into astronomy after Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake, this has to be my best comet yet. If only it were a few degrees higher! :( http://www.dulich.com/gallery/astro/mcnaught -Tho On 1/9/07, daniel turner <outwest112@yahoo.com> wrote:
I'm taking the train to the U of U Med center and then hiking up to the patio at the Huntsman Cancer Building. The attraction is the comet, not me, so anywhere high on the east bench with a clear view to the wsw will do. If we had a dozen wiedos with binoculars spread out along the entire east bench, we might generate some interest in astronomy.
DT
--- Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
Daniel, I want to give it a try. Are you going to be there? Where on Wasatch Blvd.? Thanks, Joe
The internet is going bonkers over this comet. Everyone from Finnland to Phoenix is seeing it both in the morning and evening sky. Even in Manhattan. That's right MANHATTAN! The dredded goto telescope has been used to find it at high noon both here and in Australia.
We have another evening twilight with no clouds forcast.
So take a pair of binoculars up to Wasatch Blvd and find a spot with a view of the North end of the Oqirrh Mtns. Get there by 5:30pm and stay until 6:00pm.
No big deal.
DT
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
I drove to a hiking trailhead above Wasatch Blvd., then went up in the snow -- along a trail that switchbacked up the mountain -- stood in the snow from about 5 p.m. and scanned the sky, seeing nothing but clouds and haze -- until around 5:55, when the comet must have sunk below the haziest areas, and I got a view. I took a bunch of digital photos, none impressive. I am working to make a stack that may be worth looking at. I would call it an OK comet but definitely not great. -- Joe
That's a terrific shot of the comet! Thanks... Quoting Tho Dinh <astrotho@gmail.com>:
I met up with Daniel yesterday evening at the U and snapped a few shots of the comet in through the haze. Not the best conditions, but since I've only gotten into astronomy after Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake, this has to be my best comet yet. If only it were a few degrees higher! :(
http://www.dulich.com/gallery/astro/mcnaught
-Tho
On 1/9/07, daniel turner <outwest112@yahoo.com> wrote:
I'm taking the train to the U of U Med center and then hiking up to the patio at the Huntsman Cancer Building. The attraction is the comet, not me, so anywhere high on the east bench with a clear view to the wsw will do. If we had a dozen wiedos with binoculars spread out along the entire east bench, we might generate some interest in astronomy.
DT
--- Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
Daniel, I want to give it a try. Are you going to be there? Where on Wasatch Blvd.? Thanks, Joe
The internet is going bonkers over this comet. Everyone from Finnland to Phoenix is seeing it both in the morning and evening sky. Even in Manhattan. That's right MANHATTAN! The dredded goto telescope has been used to find it at high noon both here and in Australia.
We have another evening twilight with no clouds forcast.
So take a pair of binoculars up to Wasatch Blvd and find a spot with a view of the North end of the Oqirrh Mtns. Get there by 5:30pm and stay until 6:00pm.
No big deal.
DT
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Tho, You've done some wonderful astro-photos (in addition to your great comet shots). Thanks for the link and for sharing. You should add them to the utah-astronomy gallery for all to enjoy; keep up the very fine work! --- Tho Dinh <astrotho@gmail.com> wrote:
I met up with Daniel yesterday evening at the U and snapped a few shots of the comet in through the haze. Not the best conditions, but since I've only gotten into astronomy after Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake, this has to be my best comet yet. If only it were a few degrees higher! :(
http://www.dulich.com/gallery/astro/mcnaught
-Tho
____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com
Thanks for the comments Richard. I've been lurking here for a little while at Daniel's request, and he finally pushed me to post last night's shot. I'm new to imaging and I have so much more to learn about image acquisition and post-processing. My goal so far has just been to emulate all the great images that proliferate the web and magazines, especially since I don't have a single creative bone in me. As for the utah-astronomy gallery, I've visited www.utahastronomy.com but could not for the life of me figure out how to register for a login to upload images. I must be missing something really obvious--any help is appreciated! Clear skies, Tho On 1/10/07, Richard Tenney <retenney@yahoo.com> wrote:
Tho,
You've done some wonderful astro-photos (in addition to your great comet shots). Thanks for the link and for sharing. You should add them to the utah-astronomy gallery for all to enjoy; keep up the very fine work!
--- Tho Dinh <astrotho@gmail.com> wrote:
I met up with Daniel yesterday evening at the U and snapped a few shots of the comet in through the haze. Not the best conditions, but since I've only gotten into astronomy after Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake, this has to be my best comet yet. If only it were a few degrees higher! :(
http://www.dulich.com/gallery/astro/mcnaught
-Tho
____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Let me add my congrats, Tho! I looked through the album too and was impressed. Best wishes, Joe
I just posted my rather pathetic offering on Utah Astronomy -- I know what I did wrong, but the pollution is partly to blame too. Comet McNaught showed up only for a short time yesterday evening after sunset, when it was below a lot of the smog. Thanks, Joe
Joe, in this instance try a light to medium blue filter. It will pass most of the comet wavelengths and attenuate the redness. Contrast will be increased as a bonus. Good job! --- Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
PS, Here's the link: http://www.utahastronomy.com/Joeb/A2
____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com
Thanks for the kind words, Chuck. There are so many things I would have done differently. A filter sounds like a nice thing to try. If we'd had a nice, clear sky and I had realized earlier that the comet would be appearing that night, I would have started sooner, setting up my telescope and shooting through it with my little CCD. This comet seems rather small, but I don't know if it would have fit on my CCD chip; if not, I could have made a panorama to get it all in. As it was, I shot a digital camera with an unexciting telephoto lens, mounted on a little tripod. Rightly worried about vibrations, I shot at a fast speed. It was something like 1/50 sec. at the fastest ISO my digital camera could put out, 1600. I couldn't open the telephoto's aperture any farther so the views were underexposed. Using 1600 meant the pics were grainy too. I stacked some of the clearest shots. But stacking meant using photos from slightly different times, which blurred the foreground mountains (because they were in different places relative to the comet when I stacked the views). In retrospect, using the equipment I had with me, what I should have set it for a longer exposure, maybe a 15 seconds, then used the old hat trick to let the vibrations die down. If the exposure was so long that the comet and stars moved, I could have reduced it somewhat -- it certainly would have been better than 1/50 of a second. Anyway, I may go again if it clears up in time. If first you try and don't succeed, fail, fail again. ... Joe
Can anyone post info on the future of Comet McNaught? Will we be able to see it for a while, either on its approach to the sun or its return? If so, will it be bright? I'm considering an excursion to try again with photography, this time making the effort to set up my telescope and do it right. Thanks, Joe
Joe interested in doing a trip to American Samoa?? we're talking about that if Hawaii isn't placed well. so far it looks like we'll have a few moments but I'd like to see the full glory of a long tail above some swaying palms at sunset. nice photo eh brah?? Yokwe yuk Rob
Yokwe Rob -- If I had any money and if I had any faith in the brightness and loveliness of McNaught I might consider a trip. But the fact is, to get kinda Biblical about it, I was sore disappointed with the comet. It's not nearly as interesting as, say, Hale-Bopp with its beautiful twin tails. -- Joe
Joe if this bugga really develops and the tail elongates, if off , off and away ................................ Am. Samoa is only 2400 miles away and it has nice beaches by day and a comet by night. Aloha Rob
That does sound like a lot of fun .... Wish I weren't poor, but then I always wish that. Thanks, Joe
You might ask Patrick how close he thinks he can get you to American Samoa in his new puddle jumper on a full tank of gas. Of course you would have to rubber raft it for a while until the coast guard or a Russian Troller picks you up. Tell them you are heading home to Am Samoa and would like a ride. I'm sure they will take you there. We'll have to work on getting you back, perhaps using something with an "abduction" theme, but hey, you will be there for the Comet. ;) Quoting Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com>:
That does sound like a lot of fun .... Wish I weren't poor, but then I always wish that. Thanks, Joe
Was it Patrick's plane that tried to make a no-landing-gears touchdown at Erda? Think I'll pass! (just kidding) -- Joe
You might ask Patrick how close he thinks he can get you to American Samoa in his new puddle jumper on a full tank of gas. Of course you would have to rubber raft it for a while until the coast guard or a Russian Troller picks you up. Tell them you are heading home to Am Samoa and would like a ride. I'm sure they will take you there. We'll have to work on getting you back, perhaps using something with an "abduction" theme, but hey, you will be there for the Comet. ;)
Quoting Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com>:
That does sound like a lot of fun .... Wish I weren't poor, but then I always wish that. Thanks, Joe
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
I'm waiting for a call back of flight times and cost all this time I was wondering why I was outfitting my scope for travel, why I was getting a few new EP's, why the DSLR was in the shop for upgrades could McNaught be the reason ?????? A hui ho Rob
Has a warrant been issued, maybe? Seen your portrait in the post office? ;o) --- Rob Ratkowski Photography <ratkwski@hawaii.rr.com> wrote:
I'm waiting for a call back of flight times and cost all this time I was wondering why I was outfitting my scope for travel, why I was getting a few new EP's, why the DSLR was in the shop for upgrades could McNaught be the reason ??????
____________________________________________________________________________________ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index
Joe, it must be remembered that this comet isn't being seen in a dark sky. That can make all the diffence. Hale-Bopp (and West) were at a much greater earth-sun-comet angle when at their best, and visible for hours before sunrise and after sunset against a night sky. This comet actually seems to have a high intrinsic brightness. Shot from a dark sky, you might be able to see a plasma tail which is invisible against the twilight. --- Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
But the fact is, to get kinda Biblical about it, I was sore disappointed with the comet. It's not nearly as interesting as, say, Hale-Bopp with its beautiful twin tails. -- Joe
____________________________________________________________________________________ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. Try it now.
Good point. It's rare to see a comet when the sun's glow remains pretty bright. -- Joe
Joe, it must be remembered that this comet isn't being seen in a dark sky. That can make all the diffence. Hale-Bopp (and West) were at a much greater earth-sun-comet angle when at their best, and visible for hours before sunrise and after sunset against a night sky.
This comet actually seems to have a high intrinsic brightness. Shot from a dark sky, you might be able to see a plasma tail which is invisible against the twilight.
--- Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
But the fact is, to get kinda Biblical about it, I was sore disappointed with the comet. It's not nearly as interesting as, say, Hale-Bopp with its beautiful twin tails. -- Joe
____________________________________________________________________________________ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. Try it now.
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Joe, if the weather doesn't clear up by tomorrow night, you and I are done with McNaught. http://skytonight.com/observing/home/5157217.html Unless, of course, you have plane tickets to Sydney. --- Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
Can anyone post info on the future of Comet McNaught? Will we be able to see it for a while, either on its approach to the sun or its return? If so, will it be bright? I'm considering an excursion to try again with photography, this time making the effort to set up my telescope and do it right. Thanks, Joe
____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com
Nice. I appreciate all these comet photos as I've been stuck at work until about 6:30 the last few nights and have not yet had a chance to even look for it, much less see it. I'm happy in these times to do a little "vicarious" observing! --- Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
PS, Here's the link: http://www.utahastronomy.com/Joeb/A2 _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com
participants (7)
-
Chuck Hards -
daniel turner -
diveboss＠xmission.com -
Joe Bauman -
Richard Tenney -
Rob Ratkowski Photography -
Tho Dinh