C/2021 A1 Leonard flyby of NGC 4631 morning of November 24

[pjsmith_6198]

I was planning out an observing session for the evening of 23 Nov into morning of 24 Nov and looking into the whereabouts of Comet C/2021 A1 Leonard  since it's starting to brighten up.    Turns out it's flying by in the same 1 degree field field of view as the Whale galaxy  and NGC 4656.     I attached an eyepiece view from SkyTools 4.   That is just a snapshot in time since A1 is a moving target, but they will be close together all evening/morning.   SkyTools 4 estimates A1 is mag 7.32 with a surface brightness of 21.0 and coma diameter of 10.4'.  TheLiveSky.com shows A1 Leonard as mag 9.3.   Either way, that is still pretty bright.    There will be some moon light but hopefully it won't be that bad.   I just hope the forecast holds and I can see this.    If not I hope somebody else can.  

 

Phil

 

 

A1 Leonard - NGC 4631-NGC 4656.pdf

[Knight of Clear Skies]

It also passes very close to M3 on the 3rd December.

[scotty1]

I was looking at this flyby with stellarium mobile.

With a static tripod DSLR, and 300mm lens. I don't expect to capture an APOD type of image 

😉 

I tried a few shots last night and picked up the whale and vaguely hockey stick. Shame the moon is diluting these clear skies.

Edited November 22, 2021 by scotty1

[Mark at Beaufort]

Yes I went looking for the comet early this morning using my Apollo 15x70 binos. Found the area but the Moon made it very difficult to see anything. Anyway I picked up a faint dot which was in the correct position for the Comet but to be honest I cannot be certain.

[celkins]

Taken early this morning - 5x15s frames, live stacked in SharpCap4, C11+Hyperstar & ZWO183MM 

 

[Mark at Beaufort]

1 minute ago, celkins said:

Taken early this morning - 5x15s frames, live stacked in SharpCap4, C11+Hyperstar & ZWO183MM 

 

That is a great image and proves that the faint dot I observed was the comet. So thanks for the image.