9 replies to this topic

[David Gray]

Going down in the west when dark enough for this view. Using binos 2x40, 10x50, 12x65 & 20x100 it was soon spotted in the smallest and eventually naked-eye.

 

The smooth focusing range of my wife’s 10x50 Swifts are best for extra-focal comet-head magnitude estimates.  Referencing the (combined) mag. of Gamma Ari AB as 4.7 got the comet as 4.9-5.1. 

 

With the 20x100s a fair bit of detail in the tail, with some fleeting complexity resisting adding reliably, especially given the field’s descent toward the treeline.

 

Passing Jupiter mid-month, not sure if that will be too well seen in our rapidly increasing twilight by then……...Dave.

 

Edited by David Gray, 01 April 2024 - 10:22 AM.

[JMSchwartz]

David spectacular ,very nice contrasting color.Thanks for sharing. 

Cheers Jon 

[niteskystargazer]

David,

 

Very good sketch of Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks & Hamal  .

 

CDS,KLU,

 

 ,

 

Tom

[Achernar]

You must have been sketching the same night I was observing it, for the view matched your excellent drawing.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

[frank5817]

david,

 

Excellent comet 12P/ Pons Brooks sketch  near the bright star Hamal in Aries.

Very impressive.

 

Frank

[David Gray]

Much Appreciated Jon, Tom, Achernar, Frank, and those who Liked……….

 

Weather not great here now; and coming days maybe.  But holding out hope for the comet as it passes by Jupiter mid month.

Will need a sky as good as I had for this view with Hamal – and likely might also allow a landscape-inclusive scene with whatever binos…..

 

Cheers,
Dave.

[David Gray]

Planets/Comet/Weird Skyscape…..Prior to my earlier comet/Hamal sketch, the previous night I had hoped to get that scene when evening clouds had pretty much broken. 

 

Not to be tho’, as thicker lower cloud soon encroached: shewn along the top of this already begun effort – laid aside as a draft rendering.  But yesterday I decided to reference the strong impressions retained in my head and finalized it.

 

Jupiter and Mercury well seen of course, and tentatively included Uranus is up rightward of Jupiter with Mercury on a line below Hamal closing to setting.  Also, somewhat tentative, is Pons-Brooks close right of Hamal (shewn twixt Jupiter & Mirach)…...Dave

 

[bphaneuf]

Beautiful as always Dave.  Your work has such a calming effect on me!  I get pulled in every time.

-b

[frank5817]

David,

 

This is quite the capture. Very nice. Much to see land and sky.

 

Frank

[David Gray]

Thanks Butch, Frank……

 

A good clear sky last night told me that advancing-orbital motion and ever-longer twilight pretty much defeats possibility of another view of the comet…..How quickly all night twilight (May-August) is upon us here at 55ºN…….

 

But more daylight – weather obliging – hopefully allows final rain-proofing of the vulnerable joins with the opening part of the observatory roof.  Those made all too apparent over wintertime.

 

Then to get the D-K remounted…...at last….   

 

Cheers,
Dave.

Edited by David Gray, 10 April 2024 - 04:42 AM.