I had the opportunity to once again observe C/2002 V1 (NEAT) on Wednesday evening, 2003/2/6 UT (~00:15 to 01:01 UT), from the ASH Naylor Observatory (http://www.astrohbg.org) near Lewisberry, Pennsylvania. The VLM was a bit under 5.0, with moonlight and the skyglow from a nearby ski resort as well as from local homes and the cities of Harrisburg and York making a statement. The seeing was on the poor side. The dome temperature was 26 degrees Fahrenheit and the relative humidity was rather high for a cold winter's night, about 65%.
Comet NEAT V1 was barely visible through my Celestron Noble 8x42 binocular. A short tail was seen with my Celestron 20x80 binocular and a 5" f/5 achromatic finder scope mounted on the 17" f/15 classical Cassegrain reflector. Through the 17" Comet NEAT V1 appeared to have a very bright pseudonucleus and a tail that extended about 20 arcminutes. The best views were through a 45mm University Optics Ploessl (144x) and a 40mm U.O. MK-70 (162x). Other oculars employed were a 55mm U.O. Ploesl (118x), a 32mm U.O. Koenig-II (202x), and a 25mm U.O. MK-70 (259x). I was able to follow the comet's bright core until it was about 2 degrees above the western horizon.
Three other shallow-sky objects met my telescopic gaze: the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn.
The Lobster Claw, otherwise known as the crater Gutenberg, was nicely highlighted at 162x as was the area surrounding Mare Crisium. The distinctive feature near Cleomedes that I dubbed the Tomahawk years ago was easily seen. I also noted a feature that resembled the numeral 7 further north near the terminator but I was too lazy to go to the Asper Building to check just what it was the Rukl atlas. Earthshine was quite prominent and two areas, one bright
(Aristarchus), the other dark (Grimaldi), stood out dramatically.
Jupiter [162, 202, and 249x (26mm Tele Vue Ploessl)] fared poorly with the bad seeing.
I also spent a little time on some deep-sky objects: M31, M32, M110, NGC 7789, M78, M79, M46, NGC 2438, NGC 2467, NGC 2359, M42, and M43 using a 48mm Orion UltraBlock filter when necessary. I did some quick sweeps with my 2 binoculars, looking at Jupiter, Saturn, M42, M45, M47, Collinder 70, and NGC 2244.
The seeing was a bit better for my final object, Saturn (162 and 249x). I could see the Cassini division, the C ring at the ansae, two cloud belts, the polar hood, Titan and (I think) 5 other satellites.
Dave Mitsky
Comet NEAT V1 was barely visible through my Celestron Noble 8x42 binocular. A short tail was seen with my Celestron 20x80 binocular and a 5" f/5 achromatic finder scope mounted on the 17" f/15 classical Cassegrain reflector. Through the 17" Comet NEAT V1 appeared to have a very bright pseudonucleus and a tail that extended about 20 arcminutes. The best views were through a 45mm University Optics Ploessl (144x) and a 40mm U.O. MK-70 (162x). Other oculars employed were a 55mm U.O. Ploesl (118x), a 32mm U.O. Koenig-II (202x), and a 25mm U.O. MK-70 (259x). I was able to follow the comet's bright core until it was about 2 degrees above the western horizon.
Three other shallow-sky objects met my telescopic gaze: the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn.
The Lobster Claw, otherwise known as the crater Gutenberg, was nicely highlighted at 162x as was the area surrounding Mare Crisium. The distinctive feature near Cleomedes that I dubbed the Tomahawk years ago was easily seen. I also noted a feature that resembled the numeral 7 further north near the terminator but I was too lazy to go to the Asper Building to check just what it was the Rukl atlas. Earthshine was quite prominent and two areas, one bright
(Aristarchus), the other dark (Grimaldi), stood out dramatically.
Jupiter [162, 202, and 249x (26mm Tele Vue Ploessl)] fared poorly with the bad seeing.
I also spent a little time on some deep-sky objects: M31, M32, M110, NGC 7789, M78, M79, M46, NGC 2438, NGC 2467, NGC 2359, M42, and M43 using a 48mm Orion UltraBlock filter when necessary. I did some quick sweeps with my 2 binoculars, looking at Jupiter, Saturn, M42, M45, M47, Collinder 70, and NGC 2244.
The seeing was a bit better for my final object, Saturn (162 and 249x). I could see the Cassini division, the C ring at the ansae, two cloud belts, the polar hood, Titan and (I think) 5 other satellites.
Dave Mitsky
Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
