lightsabre (Comet 2014 c2 Jacques)

[Imd]

My first comet captured, Comet 2014 c2 Jacques
The shot was completed using my 200p and an 1100D DSLR. The images taken were 12x300secs 4 darks, 11 flats. They were stacked in DSS and then finally processed in PSS. The photo was taken from my Light polluted backgarden with the aid of a CLS filter. I tried a 30 sec photo and from this you can tell its a comet but I found the results disappointing. However, I expect  30 sec shot may have been substantially improved though by taking as many as 100 or more and then stacking.

As the scope was guided on a nearby star, the photo actually shows the distance travelled against the stars from our perspective rather than showing a tail. I could not actually find any comet tail but it does show a nice coma. The comet was at the time around 10.68 magnitude according to Stellarium.

At the bottom the photo looks a bit dirty but its actually part of the Soul Nebula.

Any helpful tips would be most appreciated.

Ian

[red dwalf]

i rather like that, nicely done

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Very nice. Have you tried comet + stars mode in DSS? It's supposed to stack the two separately and combine them, keeping them both sharp.

[szymon]

I actually quite like that effect; really shows how fast the comet moves in relation to the rest of the sky!

[Imd]

Thanks for the comet+ tip, I'm looking forward to trying that out.

[Imd]

Thank you for the Comet+ tip in DSS, here is the modified file.

The kids still like the lightsabre

[Pete Presland]

more like a rod of kryptonite  5 minute exposures for this comet are a bit long, as it is moving so quickly against the stars. i would try around 2mins max, i went for 30 secs which was probably not long enough. both images are quite pleasing in there own ways, like you say the first shows just how far its travelled in such a short time.