M44 & Comet Lulin March 5th

Well, I'm just in from the cold again

Comet Lulin is still putting on a very good show tonight (March 5th) as it passes very close to the starcluster Messier 44, the 'Beehive' cluster. I observed this comet and cluster together with my 9x60mm binoculars at 7.30pm, and the comet is still visible with the help of averted vision. I noticed that it certainly is not as bright as it was only a few short nights ago, and is now receeding from Earth quite fast. I estimate it's magnitude at 5.5, and you can see from the photo that the tail has shortened a little, although the strong moonlight does not help.

I could not see it naked eye, though I would say that it would have been visible if the moon had not been so close. Still, a lovely sight to see, as this does not come around very often.

Details: Canon 40D, 135mm 'L' lens at f4, 12x30seconds stacked exposures at ISO 800.

www.flickr.com/photos/79652716@N00/3331994124/sizes/o/

Keith..

Hi there Keith

Great shot ,once again you show your skill.

I have just come in after getting a sketch of it at 22:55 UT .

I know someone else who managed a sketch tonight in a dark sky mine is from surburbia, will post soon as I can.

It seemed broader but fainter to me than the last time I saw it and I could not make out a nucleus or a tail. Our moon did not help but still I was pleased to see it all the same.

Deirdre Kelleghan

Beautiful shot, Keith. The tail is certainly holding up better photographically than visually. (I couldn't see anything but the stub of it even in 18x70s.)

Cheers,
-- Jeff.

Agreed alright, I viually could'nt see the tail, now that the moon is getting even brighter, it will get harder to see over the next few nights

Keith..