Move mouse over sketch above to view labels. Click image for larger version.
Observation Notes:
Conditions for viewing the comet were much better tonight. Little wind, and improved transparency. As a result, the comet was easier to spot. It was still very soft, but its apparent diameter was closer to 11 arc minutes (compared to 7 arc minutes visible last night). The central condensation was a bit more noticeable as well. Still no suggestion of elongation or a tail. It still fit in the same low power view as V Hydrae, although it was not as nicely placed as the night before. The comet had moved about 50 arc minutes west-southwest since my earlier observation 24.25 hours ago.
| Subject | C/2007 W1 (Boattini) | |
| Classification | Comet | |
| Position* | 04:40 UT - Hydra: [RA: 10:48:01 / Dec: -21:43:06] | |
| Size | Coma: 11 arc minutes diameter | |
| Brightness* | ~ 8.0 vMag | |
| Date/Time | May 1, 2008, 9:40 PM (May 2, 2008, 04:40 UT) | |
| Observing Loc. | Flagstaff, AZ - Home | |
| Instrument | Orion SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian | |
| Eyepieces/Mag. | 32 mm Sirius Plossl (37.5X) | |
| Conditions | Clear, calm | |
| Seeing | 4/10 Pickering | |
| Transparency | Mag 5.0 NELM | |
| *Sources | Aerith.net; Starry Night Pro Plus 5.8 |
*Based on published data.
Hello Jeremy, thanks for sharing your very nice drawing! I tried to spot the comet from Queen Creek tonight and had a really hard time. I saw something at the exact location you have the comet in your picture, but it was really faint and I wasn't sure whether it was the comet or not since I already had it in my lowest power view. If it wasn't for your picture, I wouldn't have been certain I saw the comet.
By the way, I like this website for comet finder charts:
http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Thanks!
Derrick
Derrick, I'm glad the drawing helped confirm your observation. It was definitely something that would be hurt by small amounts of haze or light pollution. The skyhound site is great. Thanks for the reminder.
Jeremy
Sorry the link seem to direct you straight to the Skyhound website which is a site for a software. I was referring to the comet link on the left column which I'm sure you found.
Thanks!
Derrick
Good point! Here is the comet page link:
http://www.skyhound.com/cometchasing/index.html
It leaves out the navigation frame, but gets you right to the meat :)
Thanks again,
Jeremy