Praesepe, Saturn, and P/2005 R2 (Van Ness)
Cold but clear nights continue over the observatory. Saturn
was shining side by side with Praesepe, as if it were ready to move into
Praesepe. Taking advantage of the dark sky, I looked for the gegenschein.
The glow of gengenschein is so faint that it becomes invisible when a planet
is shining nearby.
As for P/2005 R2, this will be the final observation of this
comet, as it is low on the western horizon. I cannot go to the observatory
often for early evening observations.
P/2005 R2
2006UT RA (2000.0) Decl. m1
Jan.22.44236 01 53 15.98 +23 07 38.9 17.5 372
The comet is diffuse and it is difficult to determine the
center. The nucleus seems to be quite faint.
Praesepe and Saturn
30-minute exposure from 22:54 on January 23, 2006
ε210(21cm F3) ACROS 100 film