FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Comet from Happy Jack Last Night

["Jack Jones" <Telescoper@xxxxxxx>]

So it's like Perseus is holding a Medusa... don't look at it or be turned to 
stone... It's not an attempt at a pun, it was overheard at a Public star 
party - after I described the Ring Nebula as a shell, one of the University 
students said it was like a Medusa. We were mystified and thinking of Greek 
mythology, until she said "You know, like the jellyfish?"!

Jack

Jeremy:
You seem to be generating a lot of  =20s. You may have to set to reply in 
plain text.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeremy Perez" <jeremy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 9:05 PM
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Comet from Happy Jack Last Night


Beautiful captures of the comet, Chris! The deep image of the blue =20
extensions is fascinating.

After another two day hiatus, I enjoyed some more extended observing =20
of 17P/Holmes last night. Based on the suggestions John Bortle posted =20=

on the amastro list yesterday, I'm changing my descriptions a bit. =20
What I've called the coma I'm going to now call the inner envelope, =20
and what I was calling the outer halo, I will now call the outer =20
envelope. Anyway, the comet is of course larger, and to my eye, it =20
appeared to be a bit brighter than a couple nights ago. The best view =20=

is through binoculars, where it is a stunning aqua-colored orb amid =20
the brilliant stars of Perseus. The view makes me think of a =20
mesmerizing tank of jellyfish on display at the Aquatic Center in =20
Maui. The jellyfish were lit by a blue light, that made them appear =20
completely alien and beautiful. The comet reminded me of one of those =20=

glowing jellyfish tonight.

The southwest side continues to get softer, with brightening =20
extending in that direction into the outer envelope. Deep inside the =20
coma, in the vicinity of the central condensation, things appear to =20
be shifting around somewhat. The mass of the central condensation =20
seems to be heaving over to the east side of the inner envelope. Some =20=

irregularities in the profile of this feature can be seen in the 120X =20=

sketch at my site.

My measurements with the astrometric eyepiece are as follows:
=95 Central Condensation: 3.1 x 4.8 arc minutes
=95 Inner Envelope: 13.6 x 17 arc minutes
=95 Outer Envelope: 40 arc minutes

The report with sketches can be found here:

http://www.perezmed ia.net/beltofven us/archives/ 000751.html

Although I missed getting hit by the clouds that nailed central AZ =20
Saturday night, it's a thick blanket everywhere up here tonight.

Jeremy Perez
http://beltofvenus. perezmedia. net



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