Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Hi Everyone,
There is a nice comet in the morning sky for you early risers.  I made this field sketch using a 2B pencil and a stump. The sketch is also inverted--no other processing. I hope you like it and get a chance to see Boattini for yourself.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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frank5817
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 2888
Loc: Illinois
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Michael,
Great sketch, it looks pretty large and bright in your sharp drawing. Thanks for the heads up.   
Frank
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Tommy5
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/28/04
Posts: 1382
Loc: Chicagoland
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Nice sketch, thanks for posting.maybe i'll check it out this weekend.
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Thanks, guys. Hope you get to see it--it's well worth getting up a little early for. It is pretty large and easy to spot as long as it is still dark, but you really have to race to see these morning comets before the skyglow washes them out. The Moon will still be out the picture this weekend, too. Good luck!
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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CarlosEH
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 2992
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Michael,
An excellent observation of Comet Boattini (C/2007 W1). A typical fuzzball flying through the heavens. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Carlos
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2533
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Michael, early bird! 
Comets have something special about them, as does your sketch! Wonderfull
I'm interested in some bino's like the ones that you use. Can you recommend them, or others?
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Carlos, thanks. Boattini is definitely a fuzzball although a little easier to spot than many are. It was much easier than the last time I saw it back in early May--going south agreed with it. 
Rony, thanks also. Comets are very cool--like DSO's that move.  The 15x70's I use are very good and I recommend them, especially if you have a limited budget. They are the Kunming Series 8 binos imported by many reputable dealers and sold under various names--Garrett Optical Signature, Oberwerks Ultra, Orion Resolux, APM Germany HD, to name a few. Ed Zarenski did a very thorough review of them in this report.
HTH,
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2533
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Michael, thanks for the link! I might go that road. One concern is the eye relief for eyeglass wearers is a little short? What do you think, Michael?
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Quote:
One concern is the eye relief for eyeglass wearers is a little short? What do you think, Michael?
If I'm observing by myself, I usually take my glasses off. When I wear my glasses, the eye relief is OK but not great. The binocs tend to distort stars at the outer edge but I center whatever object I'm looking at anyway so I guess it all works out.
I made another observation this morning: comet sketch update. Boattini had moved about one degree.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2533
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Lucky you to have been able to sketch the comet again. Congratulations, Michael!
And thanks for the good news on the eye relief of the bino's.
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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BobinKy
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 915
Loc: Country road
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Michael--
Very nice sketch of Boattini.
. . .
Two weeks ago, my wife and I passed through Greenbrier County in route from Kentucky to Washington, DC. You have some fantastic mountains in your back yard.
I was fortunate on the drive because my wife drove through the mountains and I had a pair of travel binoculars glued to my eyeballs. 
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Bob
38° Kentucky, USA
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2533
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Michael,
I have a set of these bino's coming my way. They should arrive this week. I hope to take them with me on vacation to the south next week.
Clear skies,
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Bob,
Thanks for the compliments about my sketch and my backyard. Glad you had a designated driver.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Quote:
Michael,
I have a set of these bino's coming my way. I hope to take them with me on vacation to the south next week.
Rony, the picture looks just like my binoculars and the specs are exactly the same so I'd say those are the Kunming Series 8 model. They should kick your vacation up a notch--looking forward to your vacation sketches.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2533
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Thank you, Michael!
I plan to spend some observing time in the Scorpius/Saggitarius area, looking for bright (and dark) nebulae. Mainly because that area is really low in the south from my home lattitude.
And why not look for a fine morning comet.
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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The Sco/Sgr/Oph region is arguably the best in the sky for binocular and rich field telescope viewing--you're going to have a big time. But I think moonlight will start to become a factor observing W1 Boattini after Weds. morning.
I made a new sketch this morning--done in the field with 2B and HB pencils and a loaded stump, then inverted with a 5% blur. I hope to add its new position tomorrow morning.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
Edited by Special Ed (07/16/08 06:45 AM)
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2533
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Michael,
Another cool sketch to add to the series. Lucky you with good weather.
Do you notice any changes in the overal brightness of the comet on such short time frames, Michael?
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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frank5817
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 2888
Loc: Illinois
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Michael,
I tried to get up at the pre-twilight time to see this comet but by the time I got set up and ready it was beginning to crack dawn, no joy. It was a beautiful time of the morning to be outside, quiet and peaceful.
Great sketches here Michael. 
Frank
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Tommy5
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/28/04
Posts: 1382
Loc: Chicagoland
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Very nice drawing of an early morning visiter,thanks for sharing.
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Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 3047
Loc: Ireland
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Michael --
Very nice sketches. Any idea if it will still be around at the end of the month? (I'm currently travelling with nothing more than a pair of 8x32's.)
Rony --
Those are great binoculars. I had the Astro-Physics version for a short while (sadly I have very narrow and deep-set eyes, so the eyepieces wouldn't fit my face -- I had to change them out for a pair of Nikon 18x70s which have smaller-diameter eyepeices -- but are far more expensive for near-enough the same view).
Cheers,
-- Jeff.
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Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
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CarlosEH
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 2992
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Michael,
Another excellent observation of Comet Boattini. This celestial fuzzball is interesting. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Carlos
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Thanks, Carlos, Tommy, and everyone. Comets are fascinating celestial vistors and I enjoy observing them (when I can find them  ). W1 Boattini was pretty easy to spot from dark sites and they say it won't be back for 63,000 years so this is the main chance.
Jeff, the comet will remain visible for the next several months as it travels through Aries and Pisces. It is fading but no one really knows how fast that will happen. Btw, the housing on those 15x70's prevents a close-set eyes adjustment of the inter-pupillary distance unless you have a narrow mount adapter (such as a Pentax). I had that problem and had a local machinist custom make me a mount adapter.
Rony, I think that the comet is slightly dimmer now then when I made my observations on the 11th and 12th. Observers in Brasil were estimating a visual magnitude from 5.7 to 6.0 at that time which concurred with my estimate. I think it has dimmed to ~6.4 although estimating comet magnitudes is not easy and I need more practice. I use the Sidgwick method.
Frank, I've been using the binoculars instead of a telescope partly for ease of set up--the window between comet rise and sunrise has been brief and I need to drive to a high point on my farm to get a good view to the eastern horizon. My trusty grab-and-go Astroscan is at the factory being re-collimated or I would be using it along with the binocs. Like you, I discovered a wonderful bonus in the early morning stillness and beautiful sky. Here, the quiet is only broken by owls hunting, deer snorting, and the occaisional howl of a coyote.
This morning I made what will probably be my last observation until the end of the month. Comet Boattini appeared to have traveled about 30 arcminutes in 24 hours. Its apparent motion is slowing as it travels away from us. The transparency was much poorer than yesterday--barely 4/6 in the vicinity of the comet--so I don't know how accurate this is, but it appeared slightly dimmer to me, although still fairly bright. Here is the updated sketch:
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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cildarith
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 2089
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Michael, thanks for posting this series of observations of Comet Boatini! Excellent work.
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Eric
6" f/6 Parks Newtonian
10x50 Bushnell Binocs
CN Sketch Gallery
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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 223
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Yes, very interesting indeed. I've got to make it a point to get up tomorrow morning and try for it.
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Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Eric, Phil, thank you very much--high praise indeed from two very skilled observers.
We've had an amazingly long stretch of clear weather here and not wanting to waste it, I got up again to make one last observation of W1 Boattini. At 0820 UT (4:20 AM local), the Moon was still 55 minutes from setting and the comet could just barely be seen at an altitude of 29° as a faint smudge next to 8.0 magnitude star TYC651-258-1 (the star was right at the threshold of visibilty in the moonlight, too). By 0840 UT, Luna had dropped low enough to allow a better look at the coma and central condensation, although this comet is best seen in dark skies. It remains fairly large and bright given the conditions. I updated my sketch with the comet's new position. It may be traveling closer to 35 minutes of arc in 24 hours rather than 30 minutes.
[Edit: I added details to the original sketch from my observing notes for each subsequent observation.]
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
Edited by Special Ed (07/18/08 10:25 AM)
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rolandlinda3
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 1547
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Good sketch and like your maps with the update. Roland
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Thanks, Roland. Btw, comets are great targets for a set up like your Mallincam.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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CarlosEH
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 2992
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Michael,
Excellent observations of Comet Boattini. Following the comet through star fields is interesting. I lok forward to your future observations.
Carlos
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Carlos,
Thank you very much. Yes, following this "hairy star" is fun when the weather permits. I'd like to pick up the comet again and make another series at the end of the month. It will be in Aries by then.
I hope you get the opportunity to observe this comet when the Moon wanes--I'd love to see one of your world-class sketches.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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frank5817
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 2888
Loc: Illinois
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Michael,
Great sketching updates on comet Boattini. Keep them coming as you can.
Frank
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3437
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Thanks, Frank.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
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