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Tuesday, April 04, 2006

 

Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann's dim future

Recent photometery of Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann suggests the brightest component, Fragment C, will now only reach magnitude 4.5 or so. This is not as bright as earlier predictions of magnitude 3 to 2.5, but still respectable and easily seen from most sites where light pollution isn't too bad. The comet is still exciting though, Fragment B is apparently in outburst, and Fragement G appears to be splitting up. Go here for some nice images, including the G split, and here for the Fragment B outburst. Other very nice comet images are here.

Comments:
I tried getting an image the other night, but bumped the scope out of alignment just prior to the attempt. My best guess to where it should be with a out of kilter scope wasn't quite close enough. Moon will be too bright next week, perhaps the week after.
 
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