Comet 13P Olbers, low in the twilight

[mcrowle]

Having last captured Comet Olbers on 20 June, and then having observed and not imaged it in subsequent sessions, I was determined to obtain a better image if the weather permitted. The comet is still in Lynx, and very low in the twilight, so I'm limited to using a camera lens on a star tracker, rather than my 'scope, from a location a few minutes from home.

This was the result, taken around midnight on 10/11 July, and comprising 16 x 30-sec exposures at ISO 3200 and F/4.5. Astro-modded EOS 600D and 1980s Zeiss Jena 135mm f/4 lens on a Vixen Polarie star-tracker. Post processing increased contrast and reduced noise, though the result is still rather noisy, given the limited data, high ISO and heavy cropping. I also used Starnet++ to temporarily remove the stars and help bring out the comet a little more.

Regards, Mike.

[AstroNebulee]

3 hours ago, mcrowle said:

Having last captured Comet Olbers on 20 June, and then having observed and not imaged it in subsequent sessions, I was determined to obtain a better image if the weather permitted. The comet is still in Lynx, and very low in the twilight, so I'm limited to using a camera lens on a star tracker, rather than my 'scope, from a location a few minutes from home.

This was the result, taken around midnight on 10/11 July, and comprising 16 x 30-sec exposures at ISO 3200 and F/4.5. Astro-modded EOS 600D and 1980s Zeiss Jena 135mm f/4 lens on a Vixen Polarie star-tracker. Post processing increased contrast and reduced noise, though the result is still rather noisy, given the limited data, high ISO and heavy cropping. I also used Starnet++ to temporarily remove the stars and help bring out the comet a little more.

Regards, Mike.

Cracking effort in your pursuit of Comet 13P Olbers. 

It was great to have some clear skies down here last night, if a bit dewy. 

Cheers 

Lee 

[mcrowle]

Thanks, Lee! Yes, it was a good night, with better transparency than some forecasts had. I have my fingers crossed for Saturday night, too!

Regards, Mike.

[Geoff Lister]

This is what I used to get high enough with my Dwarf 2

It gave me enough height to be at about eye-level, and a view over an adjacent garden fence. More distant objects limited my chance to image, but I managed 240 10-second frames. Using the Dwarf as a guide, and star-hopping from 42 Lyn, I was able (just about) to spot 13P with my 10x50 binoculars. I used a different part of the sky to calibrate the position of the Dwarf, and then did a GoTo to 13P. The first few frames were too much twilight for contrast, requiring a re-start, and even this image took a couple of minutes before I was sure that I had 13P on my tablet's screen.

Geoff

Edited July 13 by Geoff Lister
typo

[Geoff Lister]

Hot off the Dwarf 2

Geoff

[mcrowle]

I was determined to capture something during the limited darkness between twilight and moonrise last night, and decided on Comet 13P/Olbers, now in Ursa Major. However, with the comet now beginning to fade, I’m not sure this adds anything to my 10/11 July result, posted above.

I stacked 17 x 30-sec frames, taken at f/4 and ISO 3200. The equipment was the same as previously, an Astro-modded EOS 600D, Zeiss Jena 135mm and Vixen Polarie star tracker. Again the result was cropped (btw I don’t think the crop was consistent with the previous image, so please don’t compare the apparent size of the comet). Finally I didn’t use a starless layer in post-processing this time, as Starnet++ destroyed the comet’s pseudo-nucleus! 😄

It does look like a little run of clear nights is coming up here, so hopefully more sessions will follow. Clear skies, all!

Regards, Mike. 

[Geoff Lister]

I managed to capture it this evening with my Seestar S50. The Seestar's "Mark" function gives its position.

Geoff

[Geoff Lister]

Last night, (12th) from my Dwarf II, unprocessed from my tablet, and marker added in Paint.

Geoff