Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b83b14cd4142fe10848741bb2a14c66b.jpg

ANOTHER SPLIT COMET - 12:31 UT 15/04.2010

NickH

Recommended Posts

NickH

NickH

Posted
Posted

Woohoo...got another one

Comet K5 Mcnaught imaged using Faulkes Telescope North which was officially offline, but had a remote log in

Image showing the split here

MPC data reduction and analysis inbound to Harvard...

This is unbelievable,...!!!

post-14410-133877440373_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 36
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Starman

Starman

Posted
Posted

Well done Nick. Although comet fragmentation isn't that rare (as you're demonstrating quite well) especially amongst a C/ which is getting a bit of a thermal shocking, what's interesting about this one is that the magnitudes of the fragmented pseudo nuclei are apparently quite similar which would tend to suggest a more dramatic event.

K5 was on my hit list last night so hopefully I will have a wide field (80mm) shot of it. If someone has another taken on a previous night it may be possible to see if the fragmentation has led to enhanced outgassing and a brightening of the coma/tail.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NickH

NickH

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I had a theory for a PhD it's being born out very nicely right now...

Newly discovered long period comets undergo significant thermal and gravitational stress...I reckon loads of em do this..

The processing most people do is on the coma (DDP etc)...if you try to reduce the coma, and use other tricks...you get to see far more of the smaller nucleus area...

Simples!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NickH

NickH

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Well done Nick. Although comet fragmentation isn't that rare (as you're demonstrating quite well) especially amongst a C/ which is getting a bit of a thermal shocking, what's interesting about this one is that the magnitudes of the fragmented pseudo nuclei are apparently quite similar which would tend to suggest a more dramatic event.

K5 was on my hit list last night so hopefully I will have a wide field (80mm) shot of it. If someone has another taken on a previous night it may be possible to see if the fragmentation has led to enhanced outgassing and a brightening of the coma/tail.

Thanks Pete, great explanation.

2 Metre apertures really do help on this stuff!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NickH

NickH

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Dr PAul Roche at FT thinks I may have dicovered the Mcnaught is a binary nucleus or that (as Pete says) a major split has occurred...either way, this is going to the NAM show in Glasgow as we speak... and my phone is going nuts again..

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NickH

NickH

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Dr Roche has just looked at the data and also now thinks that the components are rotating and quite quickly. This comet is moving VERY rapidly compared to C/2007 Siding Spring, and the elements could be orbiting each other or rotating..

Man this is more exciting than the first one!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
barkis

barkis

Posted
Posted
Mon Dew ...mon Dew.... :-)

I guess they will/have...who knows

It's a really funny spinny thing, will try to upload the video to youtube

"Mon Dew Mon Dew"?, Good Heavens Nick, you sound like Del Boy.:).

You are certainly roping these broken Comets In.:D

Ron.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.