Unplanned Comet Garradd

[Dave Smith]

I had a very frustrating time last night where everything went wrong. My original intention was to image the N.America nebula with my 200mm Canon lens. Unfortunately it was too near the zenith so instead I had a look for the comet. It was very clear in my Celestron 9.25" SCT with 30mm eyepiece, much to my surprise, so decided to have a go at imaging it. The guiding camera would not talk to the computer and to cut a long story short, I finally turned everything off and started again. It was well past 2 am when I started successfully taking the first sub image. I managed 8 x 5 minutes with bits of cloud drifting across until finally it totally clouded up. One of the images had a satellite trail right across the comet so that was missed out. As it was getting rather late I didn't have time to guide on the head of the comet as it wasn't visible in the FOV of the guide scope so guided on a star.

I am quite happy with this as a first image of this comet, but it isn't quite in focus and I would have liked many more subs.

Dave

[whirlpool5194]

But atleast you got it!!

Wp

[Steve Wright]

Well done Dave for toughing it out to the wee small hours, I spent about an hour trying get the infrared remote for my DSLR working on the bulb setting last night by which time the clouds had rolled in,lets hope for some more clear skies before it gone.....thats astronomy for you!

[Dave Smith]

Thanks Steve and Wp. At least I now have that experience to improve on it next time. This does seem to be a very promising comet.

Dave

[RogerTheDodger]

Nice, and developing a comet trail too. I'll have to have a look for this if I ever get a clear night when I don't have to be up for work at 04:30

[Dave]

Nice one Dave

[mdstuart]

Nice image. It is getting brighter visually as well.

Mark

[Dave Smith]

Thanks Guys.

Dave

[Ransu]

Very good looking comet. I will try also next night, it's clear now. Only problem is that sky will not be dark here. At saturday SQM shows 16.4.. not even near to call dark. But i will try anyway, lets see what i can find there.

[cosmic keith]

Very nice image Dave, you may be interested to know that on the 27th August 2011 @ 00:22 - visually comet C/2009 P1 Garradd is passing by M71 in Saggita at an estimated magnitude of 8.2

Keith.