frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 3045
Loc: Illinois
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Whatever happened to this comet, it appears to be expanding and holding its high level of brightness. If you have a chance to view this comet with any optical aid go out and have a look. This sketch is the way I saw it at the eyepiece of my 10’’ f/5.7 telescope using a 21 mm eyepiece giving a magnification of 69x. I made this sketch with graphite pencils (6B, HB, 2H) a charcoal pencil, gum eraser, eraser shield. I then inverted the sketch with my Paint software. The shell of expanding comet debris has thinned out enough to be darker at the 50% zone. Stars were visible through the outer region of expanding debris to the south. The northern half of the expanding debris had a sharper edge than the southern half. The color may still be pale yellow to some with good color perception; however I could only perceive a white to gray color. I made this sketch at 3:00-3:20 UT 10-28-2007. When your skies are clear get a look at this unusual sight in Perseus.
Frank
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WadeVC
Carpal Tunnel
 
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 2799
Loc: Lodi, California,
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Excellent Frank! 
Ever since the first night the comet was what everyone was looking at in the night sky (10/24- and the same night I did my sketches); we have been visited by a thin layer of clouds. I am so glad I decided to observe Comet Holmes on this night as I had planned on waiting until the following night. If I had, I would missed out on observing this unique comet.
Although I am glad I was able to observe it for myself on the 24th, it is nice to see how it is progressing through sketches such as this. Thanks for taking the time to share Comet 17/P Holmes' progress through the night sky with all of us here.
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A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top.
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CarlosEH
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Reged: 01/19/05
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Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Frank,
An excellent and beautiful observation of this strange and interesting comet. My weather and schedule have prevented me from observing it. I look forward to your future observations.
Carlos
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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
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Loc: Illinois
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Wade and Carlos,
Thank you gentlemen. Wade I know you have seen and made some wonderful sketches of this comet but you must agree, this one must be seen directly to be believed. Carlos I hope your weather improves soon, you need to see this comet for yourself. It looks like nothing you have seen before in the night sky.
Frank
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WadeVC
Carpal Tunnel
 
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 2799
Loc: Lodi, California,
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Quote:
Wade I know you have seen and made some wonderful sketches of this comet but you must agree, this one must be seen directly to be believed.
Most definitely! As I stated, I am so glad that I had a chance to see this on the 24th. Just stepped outside for a smoke and all I can see is a glow in the sky where the Moon is hiding behind some clouds. I do hope that the sky will clear in the next day or so as I do want to see for myself thow this comet is progressing.
...if not, I'll be revisiting your sketch!
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Orion XTi10 f/4.7
Orion XTi8 f/5.9
Meade NGC 70mm f/10
Orion UltraView 10x50 Wide-Angle Binoculars
My Sketch Gallery
My Astronomy Blog
A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top.
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novbabies
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Reged: 06/05/05
Posts: 15678
Loc: Northern Georgia!
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Frank, wow, man, like, trippy, dude!
(I just set a record for consectuve words followed by commas... )
Great illustration!
-------------------- Good Seeing!
Mark
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
VERY old Edmund 6" f/8 reflector
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rodelaet
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Reged: 04/28/06
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Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Frank,
What a great detailed view of this stunning comet! Thank you for viewing, sketching and sharing. At least I can follow the comet through the beautiful sketches in the forum. I'm clouded in for the next couple of days.
-------------------- Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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SGT500
Carpal Tunnel
   
Reged: 10/03/06
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Loc: Ny
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Awesome Sketch Frank!  I hope to see this one tonight.
-------------------- -Sal
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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 3045
Loc: Illinois
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Mark, Rony, Sal:
Thank you for the kind words about my sketch. I hope that all of you get a nice clear view of this one.
Frank
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Leo1
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Reged: 06/07/06
Posts: 917
Loc: Central Kentucky, USA
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Very nice sketch Frank.
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Special Ed
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Frank,
Excellent observation and sketch. We've had solid cloud cover here since before the comet outburst began, so I've depended on sketches and images to get an idea of what Holmes looks like. I think you are right though--this one needs to be seen directly. Forecast for tonight is clear.
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
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novbabies
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Loc: Northern Georgia!
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Quote:
Mark, Rony, Sal:
Thank you for the kind words about my sketch. I hope that all of you get a nice clear view of this one.
Frank
Frank, thanks, every chance I get, but no scope just now...using 7x35 binocs !
-------------------- Good Seeing!
Mark
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
VERY old Edmund 6" f/8 reflector
Assorted binoculars
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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
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Loc: Illinois
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Leo, Michael, Mark
Thank you for your comments.
Mark, this is not the time to be without a telescope. 
Frank
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rolandlinda3
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Reged: 01/24/06
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Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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What a fascinating object as it changes. I am really enjoying seeing the changes as you and the others sketch it. Roland
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kraterkid
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Reged: 03/07/05
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Loc: Poway, California
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Frank, a beautifully accurate sketch of this bizarre "hairy" star! I've been puzzling over the comet's spherical shape. I wonder if we are looking almost opposite the direction of the solar wind. If so, are we looking through the coma towards the tail, analogous to looking through the hole of a windsock? Superb drawing!
-------------------- Rich
[image]http://www.cloudynights.com/stars/CNS0606.jpg" border="0[/image]
My CN Gallery
[image]http://cleardarksky.com/c/JBObCAcs0.gif" border="0[/image]
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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 3045
Loc: Illinois
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Roland and Rich,
Thank you. I sure hope you have both viewed this comet first hand, and if not I hope you soon get a chance soon. It is most fascinating. 
Rich,
I think you are exactly correct. Based on where it is right now, the tail is off in a direction behind both the coma and nucleus for now. It is somewhat reminiscent of a planetary nebula aligned cone base-vertex(white dwarf star)-cone base, appearing as a spherical shell by line of sight.
Frank
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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 3045
Loc: Illinois
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Comet 17P / Holmes
This is the second night in a row I have had clear skies and have been able to observe and sketch Comet Holmes. The nucleus (pseudo-nucleus) and coma looked much as they did 24 hours ago. The gas and dust cloud appeared slightly larger than last evening but fainter along an arc from southwest to southeast.
Equipment:
18” f/ 5 Dobsonian scope 21 mm eyepiece 95x
Sketching:
9”x 12” black Strathmore 400 Artagain paper, white Conte’
pastel pencils and a blending stump. After scanning minor brightness adjustments were made
Date: 10-29-2007 2:55-3:15 UT
Temperature: 5.7° C (42° F)
Clear, calm
Seeing: Pickering 7/10
Frank
Edited by frank5817 (10/29/07 12:53 AM)
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CarlosEH
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Reged: 01/19/05
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Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Frank,
Another fantastic observation of Comet Holmes. The comet appears like a "candle floating in the sky." Thank you for sharing it with us all. I look forward to your future observations.
Carlos
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novbabies
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Reged: 06/05/05
Posts: 15678
Loc: Northern Georgia!
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Frank, another wondrous sketch !!
All of you guys who can draw/illustrate *BLEEP* away!!!
-------------------- Good Seeing!
Mark
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
VERY old Edmund 6" f/8 reflector
Assorted binoculars
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novbabies
Postmaster
   
Reged: 06/05/05
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Loc: Northern Georgia!
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Quote:
...Mark, this is not the time to be without a telescope. ...
You're telling me! But I do have my little 7x35 binocs, and by the miracle of CloudyNightsVision, I can enjoy vicariously that which I cannot experience myself !!
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"
-------------------- Good Seeing!
Mark
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
VERY old Edmund 6" f/8 reflector
Assorted binoculars
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