73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (C) and C/2006 A1 (Pojmanski)
February 27 turned into a perfect clear day. I wondered if
this might be the last clear day of this winter. As usual, I began observing
with the 60cm reflector before midnight and persisted until 5.30 in the
morning.
Nucleus C of 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann brightened greatly
to become just visible in the 20cm refractor at 60x. It could be around
12.5 magnitude estimating from the telescope's limiting magnitude, though
without suitable comparison stars its exact magnitude was not clear. In
the photograph below the comet seems to be trailing a magnificent 30'-long
tail. An unexpectedly bright object, possibly nucleus B, is seen in the
photograph and I am trying to check its identity. Its 3'-long tail is so
impressive that it could be easily mistaken for nucleus C one month ago.
As you can see, an advantage of photography over CCDs is a wider field
it can cover.
By the way, the biggest surprise of the day was C/2006 A1
(Pojmanski) becoming visible low in the dawn sky. I was mesmerized by its
breathtaking view when it moved into the center of the field of the 20cm
telescope. The coma was very bright at 4.5 magnitude and its magnificent
tail was over 1 degree long.
If you encountered a comet like this one while sweeping the
sky, you would be stunned. Your hand drawing the comet would be shaking
with tension and excitement, even if you were an experienced observer.
If you are not sure whether the object you have discovered is a comet or
just a nebula, usually it will not turn out to be a comet. When you have
discovered a real comet, you will know it by a strong emotion rising inside
you.
Unfortunately, with the encroaching twilight, the detail
of the comet was overwhelmed by morning glow. The photograph shown below
is the first of a series of photos I have taken. It shows a large coma
(5' in size) even though it was a one-minute exposure. Errors in positional
measurements will be within +/- 2". For measurements, I will use the
fourth one of the four photos I have taken.
73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (nucleus C)
21-minute exposure from 1:07, February 28, 2006 8(J.S.T.)
60cm reflector, TM400 film
C/2006 A1 (Pojmanski)
4-minute exposure from 5:19, February 28, 2006 (J.S.T.)
60cm reflector, TM400 film