orion25

Crackin' image and animation! It's awesome seeing ZTF on the move!

Great animation! That comet is really n the move!

Here is a longer animation of the long period comet C/2022 E3 ZTF as it zooms through our solar system: COMET ZTF ANIMATION 2-03-23 (31x30s).avi https://youtu.be/rW_E_kcOLJE The animation included 31 30s subs shot at ISO 800.

Here is a quick animation of Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF from four 15s exposures taken over a three-minute period to show its steady trajectory through our solar system. Images were taken on January 31, 2023, the night before perigee. At this point, the comet was about 26 million miles from Earth. https://youtu.be/-o5GG2YFHg0

Awesome!

Magnificent work! You really captured the awesomeness of C/2022 E3 ZTF!

Absolutely stunning, Paul!

I saw Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF visually for the first time through binoculars and my 127mm Mak before dawn! Presently, it's near the bowl of the Little Dipper and similar in brightness to M13. It has become an evening object as well. Perigee is less than a week away (Feb.1) so now is the time to see it. Here are some images, taken at prime focus, ISO 6400, single 10s & 30s exposures: Clear skies! Reggie 🤩

Informative video! Thanks for posting; I saw the comet visually (as opposed to via imaging) for the first time this morning not far from the bowl of the Little Dipper. It was a distinctly fuzzy, colorless object through the bins and maybe a hint of color through my 127mm Mak at low power. My image was truly cometary as it captured the hauntingly green glow and some of the ion tail! Much brighter and larger than last week; I can't wait until perigee!

Cheers, Rob!

The title says it all, in prime focus with my 127mm Mak: Clear skies! Reggie 🤩

Great shot! Reggie

That's great! Congratulations! I surmised that it must be in its dimmest phase at this time. I usually can see it pretty easily since I know the area so well.

Awesome capture! I'm waiting for it close in on Polaris and become an evening object. It should be in good position and magnitude at perigee!

Interesting point. I've found that dark adaptation actually helped me to see the color as well as the star itself; my eyes become more sensitive to both the dim light and the hue.

Here are some other designations: AAVSO 0455-14, BD−15 915, GC 6093, HD 31996, HIP 23203, HR 1607, IRC -10080, PPM 215123, RAFGL 667

I tried and tried the other night, but for the life of me I couldn't spot it. It must be very dim at this time.

Has it been a year already? Well, here it is, my annual Orion Nebula photo, a single 15s exposure taken at ISO 3200 using my 127mm Mak and Nikon D3200 camera: Clear skies! Reggie 🤩

Thanks, George. It was quite unexpected; I wasn't even planning on imaging! I set my 127mm "Lil' Mak" to view Mars and my reflector for Jove/Saturn for a relaxing evening of planetary observing. With my attention primarily on the god of War, I took a cursory glance at Jupiter and noticed a distinct "dot" near the right limb! A closer look revealed the shrinking GRS near the other limb! And then there's Io, off to the right, casting its shadow🤩! Wow! I bolted inside to get the ASI224mc and my 180mm "Big Mak" as Jovian events change rather quickly and captured some data! I was very chuffed with the results! While I was at it, I got some great Mars data as well (but that's for another post, lol). On another note, my attention generally turns to Hind's Crimson Star and the Orion Nebula in January as they are ideally positioned for me this time of year. How are you and the missus? Regards, Reggie

Thanks for the resurrection, Nik! R Leporus is always a worthwhile target this time of year. I'm taking a look tonight! Clear skies, Reggie

Thanks, Rob!

Thanks, Kon!

Thanks, Geof!

I was able to capture all of the above with the ASI 224mc and Orion 180mm Mak using lucky imaging on the second night of 2023: Clear skies! Reggie

Thanks, Richard