January 10, 2023: Brief look at Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I noticed the skies were showing some large clear patches early this morning, so despite moonlight I trotted out the Helios LightQuest 16x80 mm bins and had a look. The comet had moved significantly since my last sighting, so it took a while to get to the right spot, at which point clouds interfered. I went back to making breakfast, but kept an eye on the weather, and at 7:15 I spotted another large clear patch. This time I could clearly spot the comet, showing up as a much more elongated patch of fuzz. The dust tail was clearly visible, but no hint of the ion tail. No chance of imaging, of course, but at least I have had another sighting of this comet

[bomberbaz]

1 hour ago, michael.h.f.wilkinson said:

I noticed the skies were showing some large clear patches early this morning, so despite moonlight I trotted out the Helios LightQuest 16x80 mm bins and had a look. The comet had moved significantly since my last sighting, so it took a while to get to the right spot, at which point clouds interfered. I went back to making breakfast, but kept an eye on the weather, and at 7:15 I spotted another large clear patch. This time I could clearly spot the comet, showing up as a much more elongated patch of fuzz. The dust tail was clearly visible, but no hint of the ion tail. No chance of imaging, of course, but at least I have had another sighting of this comet

I admire your dedication michael, these days there is usually only one 7 oclock in my day

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

1 hour ago, bomberbaz said:

I admire your dedication michael, these days there is usually only one 7 oclock in my day

I have to get up at 6:30 anyway, so might as well have a stab at the comet

[Nik271]

I managed to have a look today at about 6:20am. Despite the moonlight the comet is easy to spot in binoculars. It has brightened quite a bit from last time I saw it, I estimate it is mag 7 now and clearly elongated. I didn't see the tail, perhaps because there was a bit of haze reflecting the moonlight and the sky was too bright. Looking forward to the next few weeks, especially around the new moon.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

On 11/01/2023 at 11:16, Nik271 said:

I managed to have a look today at about 6:20am. Despite the moonlight the comet is easy to spot in binoculars. It has brightened quite a bit from last time I saw it, I estimate it is mag 7 now and clearly elongated. I didn't see the tail, perhaps because there was a bit of haze reflecting the moonlight and the sky was too bright. Looking forward to the next few weeks, especially around the new moon.

I certainly didn't see the thin gas tail, but the dust tail is evident from the elongated form

 

 

[andrew63]

I found the comet in 8x32s binoculars tonight. It's certainly brightening, perhaps around mag. 6 and moving noticeable over a few hours.