Comet Machholz Q2

Nice sketch Seanie!

Seanie,
Looks like you saw some sort of tail on it?
Between the high alt cloud and the hazy skyglow, its wasnt obvious here.

Thanks Mike! I was just practising for the Comet section of the Novice Astronomer Observing Challenges Handbook!

Dave,
I think I did see some tail detail. When I was looking at it intensly, it reminded me more of looking at the Orion Nebula at the same magnification in terms of shape and fuzzy detail, but that the central stars were bunched together as one.

Thats the only way I could describe it.

Seanie.

This comet is very prominent tonight (Wednesday). Has appeared slightly larger in my 8 X 50 binoculars tonight than it did on Saturday night last. Is very large in the field of view, brighter, no sight of a tail though, but does show a blue/green tinge. Even with the naked eye, it is hard not to see it tonight - its so clear where I am at the mo.

Seanie.

Sky is nice and clear here too. Spent some time looking at Machholz with my 10x50s. Comet now appears a distinct bluey-green in colour. I thought I could see slight traces of a tail towards the left. Slight, mind you, but when you compare the colour of the background sky either side of the comet, the sky looks a touch brighter on the left, indicating the effect of a tail.
Clear skies,

So the colour is real, that makes 2 greenish comets in the last 6 months, this isnt normal, is it??

I could see it with the naked eye tonight, a faintish blur, the weather forecast for Friday night doesnt look great, but all we need is a glimpse.