NASA and the comet

[NickH]

So , had a good chat this morning with members of the NASA/Epoxi team, and it looks like the rotation rates I initially posted (I middled out at 17.5 hours) where I thought it was between 16-20 hours, were probably also right, as the comet is rotating in a very unusual way...and it's looking like it's variable/helical almost..

We now have over 450 images from Faulkes showing the inner coma structure (using rotational gradient processing), and aside from that...they sent me this

From a conference held by the mission manager for Epoxi held at JPL . The piccie on the left is from the Hubble

:-)

[step_hen]

Your image looks better Nick!

[oldfruit]

I agree with the above post. Your image does look better.

[NickH]

Thanks, but mine doesn't have a 0.2" arsecond per pixel resolution..

[step_hen]

no, but you didnt overexpose the core either! Seriously though thats great work Nick- really exciting. Good work

[DarkerSky]

Good work Nick. You're a credit to the amateur community, and just goes to show how what we do as observers can be used by professional organizations to make key decisions. well done.