What's the best way to image comet Catalina?

[John C]

I've had two attempts at imaging this comet. I'm using a Canon 60d and a 8Edge HD with a 0.7 x focal reducer.

I'm not able to guide very well at this focal length so tried using short exposures of 30 secs at ISO 3600 and stacked 41.

This is the result, but there are no tails. Would I be better to use my 300mm lens instead of the telescope and go for long exposures?

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[John C]

I must add that 4th January at 3am was very humid and I wonder if that affects the seeing.

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[Staffs Oatcake]

I've had two attempts at imaging this comet. I'm using a Canon 60d and a 8Edge HD with a 0.7 x focal reducer.

I'm not able to guide very well at this focal length so tried using short exposures of 30 secs at ISO 3600 and stacked 41.

This is the result, but there are no tails. Would I be better to use my 300mm lens instead of the telescope and go for long exposures?

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Nice shot. I'd like some clear skies to try and get a look at it first.

[ronin]

Try the wide field option and then stack.

Something I read said that with the tails the whole thing is some 10 moon widths in size, so of some fair size.

The tails are faint however.

[Davey-T]

Had a few goes with various setups using DSLR, 10"SCT, 300mm lens, 70 / 200mm lens and others but not succeeded in getting any tails, not really had any clear enough skies usually misty moonlight.

Have now fitted 70/200 on Atik 4000 OSC and hoping for a clear dark night 

Dave

[prokyon]

John, it is better do use the 300 lens. The tails are long and weak, less focal length is better. I captured this comet with 660mm and 200mm. 200 is much more better.

[John C]

Thank you everybody for your advice. I'll have a go with my 300 mm lens next time.

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[Davey-T]

Weather forecast is looking good for tonight, no Moon and rising at a reasonable time.

Dave

[Ludd]

Tails?  Isn't that an ion tail you've caught at about 11 o'clock in that picture?

[buikimaging]

Use your 300mm lens and try to guide with the scope and focal reducer. Or a guidescope.

Do you use oag on the edge?

[Vega]

I have to agree, take the telescope out of the equation, you can't really capture the true beauty of comets in such a narrow field of view.

[Leveye]

The Ion tails have changed for me every morning. They do remain very long. Sometimes it has multiple sometimes not so. It always has had an Ion and dust tail when I've captured it. This is what makes these jewels so fun to catch. Ever changing. I was doing very well at 560mm myself. I'm going to try some at 180mm with a Nikkor lens next when ot comes close to the pinwheel galaxy and Alkaid on the 14th and 15th. Best of luck and clear skies everyone.