2P/Encke
Comet Encke has the shortest orbital period of about three
years and is very popular with comet enthusiasts. This comet is moving
toward perihelion, which takes place at the end of November. It has already
become bright enough to be observable visually. The comet will be shining
high in the eastern sky late at night and favorable observing conditions
will continue.
Have a look at the photograph below taken with Geisei's 70cm
reflector. A 17th-magnitude small, sharp nucleus is visible with a bright
jet erupted in the direction of its motion (left). The distance from the
nucleus to the center of a bright glow is about 5". If this glow is
the coma, the nucleus must be outside the coma. It is fan-shaped and I
hesitate to call it a tail. It trails toward the sun.
2P/Encke
6-minute exposure at 4:21, October 2, 2013 (J.S.T.)
70cm f/7 reflector with Nikon D700 at ISO 1250
Copyright (C) 2013 Geisei Observatory