December 9, 2021: Comets C/2021 A1 (Leonard) and 67P (Churyumov-Gerasimenko) finally spotted

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Tonight was the first decently clear night in ages, so I set the alarm for 4:30 to pick up comet Leonard. I noticed a high haze was obscuring the comet in my suburban garden, so I drove out of town, to just north of the hamlet of Dorkwerd. Skies were much better now, and I picked up Leonard with the Zeiss 10x42 binoculars easily, by hopping downwards and to the right of alpha Coronae Borealis. I switched to the Helios Lightquest 16x80s and was treated to a much better view, with the tail clearly in sight. I would estimate the tail spanned at least a degree. I then switched to Churyiumov-Gerasimenko, easily spotted by hopping upwards from M44 (itself an easy naked-eye object here, but hardly visible from my garden). The comet was quite an extensive fuzzy blob, but no hint of tail.  I switched back to the Zeiss 10x42, and could make out the comet, but the 16x80s gave a much better view.

After a quick look at both comets, waving at Rosetta and Philae in the case of the latter comet, and quick looks at M45 and the Double Cluster, I drove back home with two more comets bagged. Around 6:30, I tried Leonard again from the garden, as it had risen higher, and could make out the coma, but no hint of tail. Dark skies and big aperture clearly win.

 

[MKHACHFE]

Awesome. Good for you. I'm hoping to spot and image them this weekend.

 

Thanks for your report. Glad to hear they are fairly visible.