by Bob Czerwinski
Comet 2003 Q4 Not very impressive for what was supposed to be a mag 0.9 comet tonight. Diffuse, stubby, and perhaps bimodal tail stemming from a very densely bright core that became very fuzzy and diffuse with distance from center. Beyond the core area it seemed that the surrounding stars were embedded in what can only be described as a soft "spray" much like fog (that's besides the passing clouds that eventually abated).
I believe you mean C/2001 Q4. From my San Jose driveway I actually thought Comet NEAT was a pretty impressive sight. Okay, okay ... so my neighbors weren't quite as impressed by the sight as Yours Truly. ;^) I first caught the comet in an 8x42 bino, and then turned to my TV101. A short, diffuse dust tail, all right, and definitely curved. As the sky darkened, I'm certain I detected a slight greenish tinge to the comet's head. *Very* subtle, but I'm certain it was there. (No, I *wasn't* drinking!) Did anybody else notice this? If the clouds allow, I'll run another driveway check of the comet again this evening. If anybody else does the same, as the sky darkens, see if you can confirm a weak greenish tinge to the head. Averted imagination should NOT be required! Comet NEAT was (is) really moving pretty quickly, too. I didn't bother to check to see how fast, but in less than 15-minutes time it had visibly moved against the background stars.
I was up well before dawn this morning to check on Comet Bradfield (C/2004 F4), but clouds obliterated most of the sky in that direction. That baby has got to be fading fast. Has anybody seen it in the past day or two? Does it still have a visible tail?
P.S. If the weather stays iffy over the coming new moon period, you can blame me. I just ordered a NightSky 18" Newt/Dob!! That oughta be worth a few days' clouds, eh?! Look for it at a star party near you circa Sept. '04.
Uh-oh! Sounds like a 'scope sacrifice is in order, Tony. Do you have a large refractor available? Preferably an APO? ;^) (Congrats on the 'scope purchase!)
Posted on sf-bay-tac May 08, 2004 16:37:02 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.1 Jul 11, 2004 14:30:29 PT