A photograph of C/2007 Q3 (Siding Spring) with the nucleus breaking up
C/2007 Q3 (Siding Spring) has been bright enough to be observed
visually until recently, but it seems to have broken up into two fragments
(Components A and B). It was photographed by Geisei's 70cm reflector. Component
B split from the main nucleus has rapidly deteriorated and disappeared
into the tail. Compare the brightness of Components A and B in the observations
below:
C/2007 Q3 (Siding Spring)
12-minute exposure from 0:38, March 18, 2010 J.S.T.
70cm reflector f/7 TM400 film
Copyright (C) 2010, T. Seki, Geisei Observatory
CK07Q03a 2010 03 17.65573 15 22 54.71 +56 24 37.4 14.5 N 372
CK07Q03b 2010 03 17.65573 15 22 54.14 +56 24 34.4 14.7 N 372
CK07Q03a 2010 03 17.66146 15 22 54.73 +56 24 42.8 14.5 N 372
CK07Q03a 2010 03 19.71528 15 23 15.90 +57 01 59.8 14.7 N 372
CK07Q03b 2010 03 19.71528 15 23 15.34 +57 01 58.3 16.9 N 372
CK07Q03a 2010 03 19.72431 15 23 15.94 +57 02 09.2 14.5 N 372
CK07Q03b 2010 03 19.72431 15 23 15.24 +57 02 06.6 16.7 N 372