First Clear Night In Ages - And A Comet!It was a nice cold, clear night tonight, and I was finally able to go out and see what all the fuss was about over Comet 17P/Holmes which I've been hearing so much about.
Comet 17P/Holmes recently underwent a rare and mysterious explosion, enveloping its nucleus in a large, luminous aura. This phenomenon, potentially triggered by vapour eruptions from surface vents, has left astronomers intrigued. Its appearance in the sky, therefore, is not just interesting but also a unique event to witness.
I was extremely (and pleasantly!) surprised at how easy it was to find in the sky. With the constellation of Perseus moving into light-polluted territory, I was amazed that I could see it through binoculars, and the view through a small telescope was fantastic. Once I knew where to look, it was visible with the unaided eye. I took quite a few pictures as this is the first actual comet I have been able to photograph, let alone observe, so this comet is a little special for me! I have selected two photos to share here. The first is a wide-angle shot showing the Perseids, where the comet is marked with red pointers. The second is a closeup with my baby Skywatcher and camera mounted at prime focus.
Unfortunately, the Moon decided to make an untimely appearance, significantly dimming the comet's visibility. However, I managed to capture numerous photos before this celestial interference. I also took advantage of the Moon's presence to capture more lunar shots, reminding me of the transient nature of these astronomical events.
