Comet Catalina and the grs.

[cotterless45]

Been getting up every morning for a view. This morning there was a gap in the Permacloud. Catalina was naked eye by averted vision. Just left of M3 between Arcturus and Cor Caroli. Seginus helped fixing it in x8 and a real glow in x15 bins.

Got the Light Bucket out and a wonderful view using a 31mm Aspheric. Then up 21mm to 10mm. The glow had a brighter side, but even by averted I couldn't make out any tail. Still a wonderfully bright large comet, worth getting up for.

Jupiter being high and bright in the south, I caught the grs transit after 6. Although seeing wasn't good, the views were best at x150. This showed a very dark grs with a dark barge in the northern belt. The belts looked darker and more tortuous than last opposition. Three moons were buzzing on one side , like bees !

Clear skies !

Nick.

[FenlandPaul]

Nice report, Nick. I've yet to get the scope on Catalina - so far just bins. Your sketch has left me itching to have a look!

Paul

[JeremyS]

Great observation & drawing, Nick

Go well!

Jeremy