12 replies to this topic

[Uwe Pilz]

Dear observers,

 

this evening we had an unexpected clearing here in Leipzig. I brought my 4 inch refractor outside and printed a finder map for the comet. I could detect it by 22x, it was conspicuous at 37x. With this magnification I measured m1=9m2. I saw that the comet is longish at 37x. I had the best view, however, with 53x (exit pupil 2 mm). I made the sketch with this 53x.

Normally I have a faintest star around 4m5. But this evening was special: The comet nearly at zenith, and it had rained today. Faintest star was 5 mag or better. Nothing in comparison to my rural observing site, but remarkably good.

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[Kent Blackwell]

I also saw it in my 4" f/8 TMB refractor from very light polluted Virginia Beach, VA skies (3.5 magnitude skies); albeit very faint. It was considerably easier in my 7" Maksutov and quite bright in a big reflector. I saw it a month ago in a 25" from a dark sky and that was quite impressive. Nice drawing, by the way.

[niteskystargazer]

Uwe,

 

Very nice sketch of Comet C/2017 T2 (PanStarrs) (From City!)  .

 

CS,KLU,

 

,

 

Tom

[sunnyday]

Thank you for this report,Very nice sketch.

[Zorbathegeek]

This is a very heartening report and makes me think I should be able to find this when it gets reasonably high in the southern skies in July. I guess being a more condensed comet than many recent ones makes this an easier target in light polluted skies. Cheers, Ray.

[frank5817]

Uwe,

 

This is a very nice looking sketch and good news too. Nice tail.

 

Frank

[Kent Blackwell]

I've always found that comets seem at least a magnitude fainter than other extended objects. C/2017 PanSTARRS has a bit higher surface brightness than other comets but it's still illusive in bright city lights.

[DDEV]

Hi Uwe,

 

Congratulations on locating and illustrating this comet - very nice!

 

Clear skies,

Darren.

[Jef De Wit]

Another sketch from lichtpolluted regions. I had great difficulty in seeing a tail.

 

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[Uwe Pilz]

Detecting details of comets requires practicing. In comparison to other nebulae, there a no distinct edges with sharp decreasing of brightness. All is smeared against the background. I took years for me to see the level I have now, and I am sure there are others which see much more.

[niteskystargazer]

Jef,

 

Nice sketch  .

 

CS,KLU,

 

,

 

Tom

[acr_astro]

Hello Uwe,

 

thanks for heads up for this comet. I took the chance yesterday evening after the rain to have a look to the zenith. With my 102/500 at 35x near the light-polluting Dusseldorf airport, I could just spot the comet's center. No tail . However, I have seen the comet at the given position .

 

Clear skies!

 

Achim

Edited by acr_astro, 20 January 2020 - 11:13 AM.

[Uwe Pilz]

Near Airport - great! PANSTARRS is a condensed comet and resists moderate light pollution well.