Comet Holmes photos - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

10/28/2007 10:17:26 PM · #1

I haven't seen any discussion here yet about this very unusual comet, which just underwent a dramatic and nearly unprecedented brightening in the past several days. It's now an easy naked-eye object and very easy to photograph, even without a telescope:

The above three photos are, from left to right, 70mm (10 seconds), 200mm (5 seconds) and 400mm (3 seconds). I'll post details of the shots on the photos shortly, and I'll post a link about finding the comet if anyone else wants to try.

Comet 17P/Holmes is the name (to facilitate internet searching). There's a great discussion on the front page of SpaceWeather.com with some photos and links.

A good article with instructions for finding it yourself can be found on Sky and Telescope's page.

Message edited by author 2007-10-28 22:26:38.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

10/28/2007 10:25:09 PM · #2

It is unusual (no tail) in that it looks like it's headed toward us. I don't know much about comets but isn't the tail visible in almost all trajectories (POV)?

kenskid

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/28/2007 10:25:52 PM · #3

Sweet...I'm going to check it out...

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

10/28/2007 10:28:22 PM · #4

Originally posted by swhiddon:

It is unusual (no tail) in that it looks like it's headed toward us. I don't know much about comets but isn't the tail visible in almost all trajectories (POV)?

I haven't read enough about it, but I'd guess it's close to opposition (opposite the sun in the sky) so it could be that the tail (if any) is pointed directly away from Earth, more or less. Keep in mind that this would in no way indicate that it's on a collision course with the Earth, just that it happens to be close to opposition much like the moon is once per month (at full moon).

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

10/28/2007 10:37:53 PM · #5

Originally posted by strangeghost:

Originally posted by swhiddon:
It is unusual (no tail) in that it looks like it's headed toward us. I don't know much about comets but isn't the tail visible in almost all trajectories (POV)?

I haven't read enough about it, but I'd guess it's close to opposition (opposite the sun in the sky) so it could be that the tail (if any) is pointed directly away from Earth, more or less. Keep in mind that this would in no way indicate that it's on a collision course with the Earth, just that it happens to be close to opposition much like the moon is once per month (at full moon).

Yea I know it's not headed toward earth :). I forgot that a comets tail is almost always facing away from the Sun. But it is odd for a comet to be that bright without seeing the tail. I remember seeing Haley's comet and hail bob comet, both times the tail was visible.

Message edited by author 2007-10-28 22:38:25.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

10/28/2007 10:43:41 PM · #6

Originally posted by swhiddon:

Again, I'm not read up on it yet, but what appears to have happened is that a week ago, it underwent this really unusually rapid and intense brightening. What probably happened is some type of explosive outburst from the nucleus, and now a bright gas/dust cloud is expanding in a spherical shape around it. It probably will eventually form a tail, but it is expected to be a short, stubby one. It will be very interesting to watch as it continues to develop in the coming weeks!

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

10/28/2007 10:49:32 PM · #7

Thanks for posting. I'm going to let my brother know, he has a telescope that he only uses every now and then. I going to read the links you post to find out whats the best time for viewing. See if I can get a shot of it with my canon 70-300 IS USM lens.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/28/2007 10:55:05 PM · #8

In another recent unusual comet-related event, a Coronal Mass Ejection from the Sun ripped the tail off Comet Encke -- you can see a cool "movie" photographed by a solar-exploration satellite at the above link.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/29/2007 07:39:54 AM · #9

Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day is an outstanding telescoping shot of Comet Holmes. Check it out!

marbo

Nikon D5000

10/29/2007 08:39:13 AM · #10

Thanks for posting John.
Will get my telescope out tonight and try and get some shots as it looks to be clear.
Is it going to stay this bright for long or will it be gone in a few days?

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/29/2007 09:08:49 AM · #11

Originally posted by marbo:

Thanks for posting John.
Will get my telescope out tonight and try and get some shots as it looks to be clear.
Is it going to stay this bright for long or will it be gone in a few days?

Nobody knows. It's already passed its closest point to the sun, so it's getting farther away every day. Its brightening event was totally unexpected and not very well understood, so it's hard to tell how long it will last. I want to do some telescopic pics too, but don't know when I'll have the time to set up the beast.

Message edited by author 2007-10-29 09:09:08.

marbo

Nikon D5000

10/29/2007 08:09:57 PM · #12

Got a pic of it tonight. It`s a very strange looking thing and quite bright and easy to photograph. I think that`s a background star near the center.
Looks like a star to the naked eye but looks great in binoculars.
Well worth a look. Find it here.

Message edited by author 2007-10-29 20:17:29.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/29/2007 08:13:49 PM · #13

So, where is it and at what time? I still don't see any links to find it. Though, we've cloud cover around here tonight anyway ... :-(

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

10/29/2007 08:18:37 PM · #14

Originally posted by GeneralE:

So, where is it and at what time? I still don't see any links to find it. Though, we've cloud cover around here tonight anyway ... :-(

Sky map...

smartypants

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

10/29/2007 08:20:18 PM · #15

I think I read that this comet has no tail right now, and that it'll be around for a few more weeks as it dims.