Jump to content

Green Comet - C/2022 E3 (ZTF)


Recommended Posts

Nice work Bryan!

 

This (apart from the PI bit) is exactly what I have tried to do several times now over the past week or so. 
 

Unfortunately, I’m in the Astro Doldrums…the pillar and roof structure of the balcony intrudes on any framing I can get of the comet, to the extent that it renders any unstacked/stacked image unusable. Made even more frustrating by the fact that the tail is clearly visible. 
 

I really don’t want to move the mount at all as it’s working nicely from the moment it is powered on. 
 

Hey ho! I’ll have to just bear with it on this one and enjoy great shots like this. At least theres some consolation in  knowing I would have captured it. 🤣

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stunning Bryan. I was up in North Yorkshire on Friday and Saturday and managed to capture a couple of shots of the comet. Used my Cannon, basic tripod, shutter release cable and Samyang 135 F2 lens. Got it first go. Green / blue and a hint of tail but not worthy of posting here.      Gary

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I managed one a week or so ago but it wasn't quite bright enough to show the tail.  Nice and green though! Next clear night is Friday for me so I might try again then.  You've set a high bar with this stunning image, Bryan!

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great picture Bryan. Can I ask about guiding? You say 2 minute exposure. Were you guiding and was there any evidence of the comet drifting in the field during that time since I think it must move against the background stars?

Steve

 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

47 minutes ago, woodblock said:

Were you guiding and was there any evidence of the comet drifting in the field during that time since I think it must move against the background stars?

Yes - guided on stars so the comet drifts in the FOV. So you have to frame the comet in such a way that over 1-2hr session it will stay in FOV- so a bit of planning with SkySafari or stellerium.

So in processing the subs this is where the comet registration mode in most stacking programs comes into play. So if you want an image like this one with comet on static star background, you process the subs twice

1- register on stars to create a static star background and then extract the star layer with StarXT or Starnet++

2- register on comet (in this mode the program needs you to identify the comet nucleus in a few frames so it can calculate the dy/dx- drift and create the registered comet data to integrate. Also by using MAD rejection the program will also minimise and remove star trail- 

there is a decent video tutorial

posted on astropixel processor forum on this processing method- also at moment YouTube has loads of videos how to use pixinsight and other tools to process a ‘Green Comet’ image.


hope this helps 

Bryan

Edited by Astrobdlbug
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...