Comet 168P/Hergenrother - sketch and animated GIF

[Roel]

Last Sunday evening I observed the suddenly brightened comet 168P/Hergenrother. It now travels through the big Pegasus square and its magnitude is about m10.0 - easily visible in most backyard telescopes.

I found the comet very quickly and at 50x my 280mm Dobson showed a little fuzzy ball with a very faint tail. Higher magnification (150x) showed a bright, almost pinpoint nucleus and a wide tail stretching to the southeast. The best comet in years for me!

The movement of the comet was so quick I could sketch it twice in the same starfield within one hour. At home I scanned the image and made an animated GIF to show the comet's movement.

To view the animation click: http://www.roelblog.nl/2012/10/komeet-in-uitbarsting-168phergenrother/

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Nice sketch. I picked it up with my C8 from my back garden yesterday. Very easily spotted

[andrew63]

Thats a really nice sketch - been cloudy here so not had a chance to try for it yet. It is surprising how far it has moved in a short space of time.

andrew

[DirkSteele]

Lovely sketch. Not yet had the chance to hunt it down yet. Perhaps this weekend. Weather forecast holds some (limited) promise.

[John]

Thats a great sketch - thanks for posting it

It's a fast mover this one !

I hope to get another view of it on the next clear night.