Comet 103/P Hartley

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dmcdona wrote:

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Kieran,

LIDL has hoses for sale on a rather regular basis ... this baby needs some serious hosing down.

Anthony.

Folks,

Getting back on topic, I went after Hartley about two weeks ago and it is quite dim. Comments about "comet of the year" and "naked-eye visibility" leave me scratching my head since this visitor has a long way to go before either one (or both) of these claims gain any credibility.

With the moon slowly becoming a non-factor, I will revisit 103/P Hartley in a few days.

Anthony.

LIDL has hoses for sale on a rather regular basis ... this baby needs some serious hosing down.

The dog hs eaten my garden hose, all 50m of it.

Gave the CCD some TLC and new calibration shots.


[img size=150][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/44658088@N00/5027580964/][img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5027580964_a819373997.jpg[/img][/url]
0103P001+1 by kieranprooney , on Flickr
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From Sep 3 till 26 I observed him seven times, and yes, he is very faint.Yesterday still made an estimate fainter than mag 9, but also a 3/4 moon was disturbing. So in a couple of days with an absent moon it must be done again, but still don't expect a naked eye appearance.

Finally spotted Hartley on Tuesday night, before the moon rose too far. Very diffuse and faint with no noticeable nucleus. Could only see it by knowing exactly where it should be and then using averted vision in the 222mm at 42x.
Michael.