Try increasing gamma if dark sections aren't distinguished

Try increasing gamma if dark sections aren't distinguished

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Comet Lovejoy C/2014 Q2

caught a bright comet with an impressive tail in January:

The image frame is approximately 2 degrees wide, making this the longest comet tail I've captured as it clearly departs the frame.  Some images from dark skies show a tail spanning 19 degrees.  
This was shot through heavy light pollution and passing clouds (explaining the gaps in the star trails).  Nevertheless, the bright, twin tail structure is still visible.  
The comet was easily visible in binoculars, brighter than the andromeda galaxy, though i could not detect the tail.  
Here's a video of the individual frames complete with clouds and airplanes:
Note the comet tail follows the direction of the solar wind rather than the comet motion in this instance.   
Though fading a bit from peak brightness
It should still be visible early evening  in Andromeda this weekend with the new moon approaching

FS60C@ f/42. with SX H9C color camera and chroma light pollution filter.  60x2 minute exposures with mount tracking on comet (ASA DDM 60).  

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